Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Border Collie | Australian Shepherd | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Medium | Medium |
| Adult weight | 13.6 to 24.9 kg | 18.1 to 29.5 kg |
| In pounds | 30 to 55 lb | 40 to 65 lb |
| Adult height | 46 to 56 cm | 46 to 58 cm |
| Energy | Very high | Very high |
| Grooming | Moderate | Moderate |
| Coat | Medium wavy and double | Medium double |
| Shedding | Moderate | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Good with children | Fine with supervision | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Country of origin | Great Britain | United States |
The main differences
- The Australian Shepherd is the bigger dog: 18.1 to 29.5 kg against 13.6 to 24.9 kg for the Border Collie.
- Both have very high energy in their published profiles.
- Grooming is moderate for both.
- Life expectancy is similar: 12 to 15 years for the Border Collie and 12 to 15 years for the Australian Shepherd.
- With children, the Australian Shepherd is rated reliably good and the Border Collie fine with supervision.
Temperament
Border Collie: Keen, alert, responsive and intelligent, neither nervous nor aggressive.
Australian Shepherd: Even disposition, may show initial reserve, never shy or 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.
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
Australian Shepherd
- 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
- Hereditary cataract (HC-HSF4), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for under the hip and elbow scoring schemes
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Border Collie or the Australian Shepherd?
The Australian Shepherd. Adults weigh 18.1 to 29.5 kg, against 13.6 to 24.9 kg for the Border Collie, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Border Collie or the Australian Shepherd?
The published life expectancy is 12 to 15 years for the Border Collie and 12 to 15 years for the Australian Shepherd. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Border Collie or the Australian Shepherd better with children?
The Australian Shepherd scores higher for children (3 against 5 out of 5). 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