Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd: Key Differences and Similarities

When welcoming a new dog into your home, the hardest decision is which breed to go for often! After all, different breeds have different needs and personalities, so it is essential to find a four-legged friend that matches you and your way of life. Many people are often stuck between the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie due to their similarities; however, plenty of differences make each breed stand out against the other. Therefore, this article sways you one way or the other and matches you with your perfect new dog! Let’s take a look…

What are the main characteristics of the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie?

Breed	Australian Shepherd	Border Collie
Also known as	Aussie	Collies
Height	18-23 inches	18-22 inches
Weight	40-65 pounds	30-45 pounds
Recognition	Kennel Club	Kennel Club
Temperament	Like a job to do	Like to stalk
Energy	High	High
Health	Some common issues	Some common issues
Grooming	Daily brushing	Daily brushing
Shedding	Moderate	Moderate
Lifespan	10-12 years	10-14 years
Price	$400 to $1500	$300 to $1000

What are the differences between the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie?

Although they may be similar in appearance, there are several differences between Border Collies and Australian Shepherds. Border Collies have been around in some shape or form for thousands of years, dating back to the Roman Empire falling in 400 AD. Meanwhile, Aussies have been around for just 200 years or so, with their ancestors thought to be British Sheep Dogs or Spanish Herding Dogs. The country of origin of these breeds is also different, with the Aussies being bred in America and Collies coming from England/Scotland.

Border Collies were originally bred for sheep herding, which is why they have such fantastic fitness and intelligence. They are still skilled herders used by the police and armed forces to sniff out drugs and bombs. The Australian Shepherd, on the other hand, was bred as a general livestock herder. While the Collie specializes in sheep, the Aussie is the perfect four-legged friend to have around a farm, skilled at herding cows and other slow-moving herds of animals (as well as sheep).

On average, border Collies tend to live a little longer than Australian Shepherds. Collies live between 10 and 14 years, while Aussies live between 10 and 12. It is not exactly known why one lives longer than the other, but they suffer from similar health problems, and their age expectations still lie within a two-year gap.

What are the similarities between the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie?

Border Collies and Australian Shepherds are recognized by the Kennel Club, with the former being named in 1915 and the latter in 1993.

The Collies and the Aussies both have a background in animal herding, as mentioned above. The Collie is a skilled sheep herder, while the Aussie is a more well-rounded livestock herder. As such, both have high intelligence and good fitness levels.

The Collie and the Aussie also suffer from separation anxiety, so they are better suited to families who can give them the attention they need. Both breeds are better suited to families with an active lifestyle to match the dogs. Border Collies have high intelligence and so much energy and love nothing more than stalking and chasing things. The Australian Shepherd loves having a job and is always eager to please their owner.

Appearance Comparison (and measurements)

Australian Shepherds are far stockier dogs than the Border Collie, with a solid frame and low center of gravity. The average adult male weighs between 50 and 65 pounds, with the average adult female coming in at 40 to 55 pounds. While The Border Collie is still a medium-sized dog, the same as the Aussie, it is a slightly thinner and smaller breed of dog, weighing in at 30 to 45 pounds.

Although the texture of the coats is different, both Aussies and Collies have a medium-length double coat. The main difference is that Aussies have a fuller, fluffy coats than coarse Collie hair.

These two breeds also have several similar standard coat colors. The Border Collie usually comes in a mixture of blends, including black, white, blue, red merle, red merle, sable, and tricolors/bicolors involving all of the above. Meanwhile, the Australian Shepherd comes in black, red, blue merle, and red merle and often has white or tan markings.

READ MORE: Border Collie Poodle Mix

Temperament and Personality 

Although they may look similar, Border Collies and Australian Shepherds have entirely different personalities. Australian Shepherds are big barkers and can be shy when meeting a stranger. As such, they are only sometimes ideal for apartment living. Meanwhile, the Collie is not as much a barker, but they have a strong stalking instinct, so they will likely follow other animals around your home. The Collie is a very tireless creature.

Exercise and activity levels

We recommend giving your Aussie or Collie at least one hour of exercise per day, playtime, shorter walks, and training sessions to keep them occupied between those main exercise activities.

Both dog breeds require their owners to be pretty active people, and such are their high and intense energy levels. It almost seems that Aussies and Collies have unlimited energy, so it’s a case of how much exercise you can give them. We recommend going on hikes as a great way to give your four-legged friends the exercise and stimulation they need. Agility classes are also a good option. Both of these dogs love being given a job to do.

They also love puzzle games and playing fetch and will do so for hours if given a chance. If you have to leave them on their own, we recommend leaving them with toys and puzzles to keep them occupied; otherwise, they could become destructive.

READ MORE: When to Switch Puppy to Adult Dog Food?

Grooming

If you are looking for a low-maintenance dog in terms of grooming, then the Australian Shepherd and Border Collie are not for you. While they do not require excessive grooming, we would describe their needs as moderate and regular. You should brush your Collie or Aussie once per day, then give them a bath every two weeks or so. If you prefer to use a professional, take them to the groomer once per six-week cycle. Daily brushing is essential to avoid uncomfortable matting within their medium-length double coats.

Your dog’s active lifestyle should keep their nails nice and short anyway, but if you can hear them clicking against the floorboards in your house, you should give them a trim. Check them once per week, especially when they are a puppy, and get them used to the nail cutting process. The earlier you start, the easier it will be.

Food and nutrition

Fortunately, both the Aussie and the Collie have similar food requirements. You should look to feed them around 2.5 cups of dry food every day, across multiple mealtimes. Due to their active lifestyle, Collie and Aussie both need high-quality food, with high calories and high protein. Warning – Australian Shepherds have a reputation for seeking out food and consuming, so be careful around the kitchen and pantry to make sure they don’t eat a load of food that is not good for them.

Health and wellbeing

As the Border Collie and Australian Shepherd have similar lifespans and are similar in size, they have a number of overlapping health concerns. Both suffer from potential hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cancer, multi-drug sensitivity, cataracts, collie eye anomaly, and retinal degeneration.

Hip dysplasia is something you should look out for. Offering the right care and diet from an early age can help to ease any risk of pain. If you are adopting a puppy, then you can also ask for information on the parents to see if they suffered from any health problems.

We always recommend talking with your vet about developing a plan. If you over-work them before their bones have fully developed, you can cause joint issues.

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Training

According to the American Kennel Club, there are strict breed standards for both the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie. The dogs bred in line with these standards are often born to participate in shows rather than the natural Aussie or Collie herding mentality. These strict-bred dogs tend to be easier to train and less intense.

However, all Collies and Aussies are very trainable due to their high intelligence. Let’s be honest; they are used as working dogs for a reason. You don’t become a livestock herder or a bomb sniffer without being able to take some basic instructions.

The Australian Shepherd is strongly motivated by food, so positive reinforcement training is pretty simple with them. Meanwhile, the Border Collie is said to be among the smartest dog breeds in the world. Of course, this can be good if you train them well, or can be tricky if you let them become the boss.

You should start training and socializing as early as possible, even if you welcome them into your home as a puppy.

Cost

Although the pricing is similar, it is likely that the Aussie will set you back a little more money than the Collie. Aussies usually cost between $400 and $1500, while Collies start at $300 and usually reach a maximum of $1000. The average prices are $950 for an Aussie and $650 for a Collie. That is because the Australian Shepherds are simply in higher demand, ranked number 12 by the AKC, compared to the Border Collie’s number 32 ranking.

Adoption and Shelters

We always recommend adopting a Border Collie or Australian Shepherd from a local shelter before you look to buy a puppy. There are so many adult dogs out there in need of homes, so why not welcome them into yours? Make sure to do your background checks on the dogs and their parents before committing to them. It’s always a good idea to find out about health problems and potential past trauma. Unfortunately, sometimes dogs are in the shelter for a reason, and it makes sense to have all the details going in.

READ MORE: Are Two Dogs Better than One?

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