Dog similar to Border Collie
Indeed, they are easily confused due to their physical similarities, but an excellent tip to avoid further guessing is to pay attention to the tail, which is absent in the Australian Shepherd. Learn about the similarities between the Border Collie and the Australian Shepherd!
Origin
Border Collie: They were perfect for herding in the mountainous regions of Britain in the 16th century, easily covering more than 50 km in rough terrain and even in the cold during a single day. Moreover, these dogs stood out for being quiet, herding without barking or nipping, just skillfully circling the flock.
Australian Shepherd: The breed originated in the 19th century in the United States, descended from Collies (look at that!) and other types of herding dogs. Some breeders, however, believe that the Australian Shepherd originated from a mix of Kelpie and Australian Cattle Dog breeds – hence its name – but this information has never been confirmed. Like the Border Collie, it is commonly used as a herding dog.
Coat
Border Collie: The Border Collie has two types of coats: short and soft or long and thick, but both types have a soft and dense undercoat that protects them from varied temperatures. The most common coat is bicolor, white and black, but the breed also comes in tricolor, with variations of brown and tan.
Australian Shepherd: The colors are more diverse than those of the aforementioned friend, ranging from black tricolor to various merle variations. But it requires similar maintenance work, as both breeds tend to shed a lot and need to be brushed frequently.
Temperament
Border Collie: Playful, cheerful, and a companion! It doesn’t choose just one owner in the family and loves to get its daily dose of physical exercise to avoid boredom. A peculiarity is its liking to gaze into the eyes, staring at other animals or people.
Australian Shepherd: Brave, confident, and very intelligent, the Australian Shepherd tends to bond closely with its human parents but is wary of strangers. Its temperament is very similar to its “cousin,” but its energy is slightly lower most of the time.
Intelligence and Obedience
Border Collie: The Border Collie is considered the most intelligent breed in the world! The breed was ranked first in Stanley Coren’s book “The Intelligence of Dogs.” After five attempts, these dogs already show understanding and don’t need practice to repeat commands. For 95% of these dogs, a command does not need to be repeated more than once. The speed between the command and execution is also considerable.
Australian Shepherd: It’s hard to say anything after such a presentation, but dogs of this breed are also highly intelligent and are considered one of the most obedient dogs in the world. The breed also excels in agility tests and herding competitions.
Similarities between Border Collie and Australian Shepherd: life expectancy
Both live, on average, up to 15 years. However, there are records of an Australian Shepherd that lived, surprisingly, for 29 years.
So, now that you know more about the breeds, do you believe these dogs are distant cousins or more like siblings, with one’s face resembling the other’s?
Now that you know which dog is similar to the Border Collie, just choose the one that best fits your owner profile and get your pet!
