Australian Cattle Dog vs Border Collie
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Australian Cattle Dog | Border Collie | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Medium | Medium |
| Adult weight | 15.9 to 22.7 kg | 13.6 to 24.9 kg |
| In pounds | 35 to 50 lb | 30 to 55 lb |
| Adult height | 43 to 51 cm | 46 to 56 cm |
| Energy | Very high | Very high |
| Grooming | Low | Moderate |
| Coat | Short smooth and double | Medium wavy and double |
| Shedding | Moderate | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Good with children | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Country of origin | Australia | Great Britain |
The main differences
- They are about the same size: the Australian Cattle Dog is 15.9 to 22.7 kg and the Border Collie 13.6 to 24.9 kg.
- Both have very high energy in their published profiles.
- The Border Collie takes more grooming (moderate) than the Australian Cattle Dog (low).
- Life expectancy is similar: 12 to 16 years for the Australian Cattle Dog and 12 to 15 years for the Border Collie.
Temperament
Australian Cattle Dog: The Australian Cattle Dog is intelligent, loyal and tenacious, a hard muscled herder with immense work drive that needs a job to do.
Border Collie: Keen, alert, responsive and intelligent, neither nervous nor aggressive.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Australian Cattle Dog
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for
- Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), detectable by DNA test
- Genetic deafness, detectable by BAER testing
- Other inherited eye diseases, detectable by a veterinary ophthalmologist exam
Border Collie
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Collie eye anomaly / choroidal hypoplasia (CEA/CH), detectable by DNA test on both parents and on an eye examination
- Multi-drug resistance mutation (MDR1), detectable by DNA test, and worth knowing before any anaesthetic or worming drug
- Trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS), detectable by DNA test on both parents
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Border Collie?
They are about the same size. Adults weigh 15.9 to 22.7 kg for the Australian Cattle Dog and 13.6 to 24.9 kg for the Border Collie, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Border Collie?
The published life expectancy is 12 to 16 years for the Australian Cattle Dog and 12 to 15 years for the Border Collie. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Australian Cattle Dog or the Border Collie better with children?
They score the same: fine with supervision with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin