Collie vs Australian Shepherd

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Breed Snapshot

Life Expectancy:
12 to 14 years
Size:

Medium

Maintenance Level:

High

Shed Level:

Very High

Best For

Highly trainable, extroverted and family friendly, Collies are best for active singles or families with children and homes where they'll have a fenced-in yard to roam. Pet parents searching for an intelligent and sensitive dog...

Highly trainable, extroverted and family friendly, Collies are best for active singles or families with children and homes where they'll have a fenced-in yard to roam. Pet parents searching for an intelligent and sensitive dog will love bringing a Collie into their lives.

Collie Temperament

Collies are the quintessential extroverts. They are gregarious animals who seek companionship, love their families and are great with kids and babies. But jealous types, beware. While their love for you will be unwavering, they’ll happily spread that love to just about anyone they meet, be that strangers or...

Collies are the quintessential extroverts. They are gregarious animals who seek companionship, love their families and are great with kids and babies. But jealous types, beware. While their love for you will be unwavering, they’ll happily spread that love to just about anyone they meet, be that strangers or other pets. Naturally, they don’t have high biting tendencies and aren’t known to be a particularly aggressive breed. Collies are also big fans of play, and many love nothing better than to speed around the yard chasing a ball or Frisbee. Yes, they are the ultimate teammate you’ve always dreamed about.

Fans of fun though they may be, Collies are not classified in the American Kennel Club’s Sporting Group but are instead members of the Herding Group (they were used for centuries to herd sheep on working farms). So, if you own livestock, or simply want to channel your inner sheep farmer, then a Collie might be just the dog breed for you. You might even find yourself competing in a herding event or two.

Because these dogs were born to have a job to do, they’ll get noisy when they’re lonely or bored. A tired Collie is a quiet Collie. If your pup is barking a lot (and there are no strangers lurking), it’s a sign your Collie may need more exercise and time with you. Take them on extra walks and play games with them to help release that extra energy.

Herding behaviors like heel nipping or bossiness can also be intimidating to children. Of course, every dog is an individual and not all Collies display these traits. But for many parents, these concerns are outweighed by the breed’s other kid-friendly traits. After all, Collies are great family dogs. It’s literally how they became so famous. Of course, it’s not only important to socialize and train all dogs, but pet parents should also teach children how to properly interact with dogs.

Collies have a low prey drive and are not typically used as hunting dogs, but they do perform a variety of other jobs. They’re popular as service dogs, partly because of their versatility, partly because they retain training so well and also because of their ability to adapt to a variety of living situations and the energy levels of their families. Collies are also used as therapy dogs. They really are a well-rounded dog.

Collie Traits

Friendliness
Exercise Needs
Health Issues
Barking Tendencies
Grooming Needs
Shedding Level
Training Needs
Good With Kids
Good With Cats
Good As A Service Dog
Good For Apartments & Small Homes
Biting Tendencies
Energy Level
Good With Other Dogs
Playfulness
Sensitive to Cold Weather
Sensitive to Warm Weather
Good For First Time Pet Parents
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Breed Snapshot

Life Expectancy:
12 to 15 years
Size:

Medium

Maintenance Level:

High

Shed Level:

High

Best For

Intelligent and energetic dogs, Australian Shepherds excel with active pet parents who can dedicate time to train them and teach them a few tricks. And they thrive in environments with plenty of room to run,...

Intelligent and energetic dogs, Australian Shepherds excel with active pet parents who can dedicate time to train them and teach them a few tricks. And they thrive in environments with plenty of room to run, exercise and engage in mental and physical activities, such as obedience training or agility.

Australian Shepherd Temperament

Australian Shepherds embody what they were bred to do: herd. They are fast, smart and always on the move. As such, providing training and outlets for all their energy are a must. Because they have a natural herding instinct, Aussies may try to round up unsuspecting children or neighbo...

Australian Shepherds embody what they were bred to do: herd. They are fast, smart and always on the move. As such, providing training and outlets for all their energy are a must.

Because they have a natural herding instinct, Aussies may try to round up unsuspecting children or neighbors on a bike ride. For this reason, it’s crucial to train your Aussie early so they understand how to behave and what’s expected of them. Be sure your pup is well-trained before they go off-leash, too, because Aussies are known for their speed.

Cultivate their natural curiosity by implementing daily training sessions that engage their mind and their bodies. They want to please you, and daily training sessions will deepen your bond.

Playtime is another way to engage Aussies—and blow off some of that energy! Just about any game you invent will be enthusiastically enjoyed by your pup. Most Aussies adore fetching and can have impressive skills; they have a well-deserved reputation as disc dog champions. Throw a Frisbee for your pet at the park and onlookers are sure to be amazed at what your Aussie can do.

While your Aussie’s exuberant personality might make you think they are incredibly social, they tend to be cautious around strangers. Proper socialization when your Australian Shepherd is a puppy will help them feel comfortable in new environments with unknown people.

Bottom line: Aussies dislike downtime (except when they’re sleeping!), so keep them engaged with lots of outside time and toys, such as interactive chew toys, flying discs and balls.

Australian Shepherd Traits

Friendliness
Exercise Needs
Health Issues
Barking Tendencies
Grooming Needs
Shedding Level
Training Needs
Good With Kids
Good With Cats
Good As A Service Dog
Good For Apartments & Small Homes
Biting Tendencies
Energy Level
Good With Other Dogs
Playfulness
Sensitive to Cold Weather
Sensitive to Warm Weather
Good For First Time Pet Parents
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