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Difference between Border Collie and Australian Shepherd: what is it?

Looking at a Border Collie and an Australian Shepherd we realize that they look a lot alike, and not just in appearance. These two breeds of shepherd dogs, despite their different origins, have many other characteristics in common.

Are you undecided on which one to adopt? In this article we will see what the difference between Border Collie and Australian Shepherdbut know that it will not be easy at all: they are both incredible dogs!

Origins of the two races

The attitude and devotion to work, the similar somatic traits, the extraordinary intuition of these breeds suggests that they have common origins, but in reality this is the first difference between Border Collie and Australian Shepherd.

Border Collie

The Border Collie is a very ancient breed, whose ancestors have their roots in the time of the Romans and the Vikings. “Border” means “border”, precisely that between England and Scotland, which gave birth to this breed, now famous all over the world for its intelligence.

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd Dog, contrary to what the name suggests, is a breed of origin European. So why Australian?

These dogs were very popular among the shepherds of the Basque countries (between Spain and France) who practiced the trade in Australia. When they emigrated to America, the shepherds brought with them their faithful and brilliant friends, who distinguished themselves on the “New Continent” as dog dogs. cow boy.

Differences in physical appearance

Both medium-sized breeds, with thick and soft fur, with an agile and super “aerodynamic” physique: in fact they can run up to around 48 km / h.

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To a careless eye, the two might look identical in appearance, but here’s the main difference between border collie and Australian shepherd.

Weight and physique

The Border collie is mildly more slender of his colleague, which instead compensates with greater robustness. The heights are similar, but the Aussie typically weighs a little more, up to 8-10kg.

Coat color

The Border Collie is typically black and white, while the Australian Shepherd has a multi-colored coat, which includes white, gray and brown with black markings.

In reality the Border Collie breed standard also admits other colors: white and brown, white and fawn, and then the blue merle coat. The latter gets confused easily with the size of the Australian Shepherd, also because it is associated with light colored eyes.

Eyes

Both eyes are so alert and alert that they look human. Those of the border collie they are typically brown or light blue (if blue merle).

The Australian Shepherd on the other hand usually has blue eyesbut they can also be brown or one for each, or even a mix of the two!

Ears

Even in the ears there is a bit of difference: in the Australian they are longer and bend outwards, in the border collie they are straight and alert!

Character and behavior

The Border Collie has an intelligence of a 2-3 year old childaccording to studio published by the expert Stanley Coren, professor emeritus of the University of British Columbia and expert in canine behavior.
Even though the Border Collie holds the reputation of being the smartest dog in the world, his colleague is by no means outdone. Both of these dogs have been chosen for centuries to look after flocks of sheep because of their extraordinary learning abilities:

  • They have a very developed adaptive intelligencewhich consists in applying a series of reasoning mechanisms to deal with changes and take advantage of them.
  • They have a very strong aptitude for training: you can say that they learn even when you don’t want to teach them anything! When trained by professionals, they are able to perform incredible tasks with a method very similar to what is called “school learning”.
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There is no difference between the Border Collie and the Australian Shepherd, both of which are very perceptive!

Difference in behavior

From a behavioral point of view there doesn’t seem to be a big difference between the Border Collie and the Australian Shepherd: both are very energetic dogs that love to be involved in family and owner activities. They are also loving and playful.

The difference between Border Collie and Australian Shepherd is related to the task for which they have been trained over time:

  • The Border collie has the task of round up the herd: uses eye contact a lot to tidy up adventurous sheep and lambs. He occasionally barks if someone steps outside his imaginary enclosure!
  • The Australian Shepard Dog is a sleep, then accompanies the herd along the movements, protects it by placing itself alongside. Bark to solicit the order!

In fact, the Border even when it is not trained for work at times he cannot contain his attitudes: it may have a tendency to gather family members, including 4 legs!

The Australian Shepherd, on the other hand, for his desire for “protection” pours this instinct on his masters, so it is good to educate him right away to relations with humans and with his fellows.

Physical needs

As for physical (and mental!) Activity needs, there is no big difference between border collie and Australian Shepherd: both need to be engaged a good part of the time in sporting activities, in fact they lend themselves to practically everything: from water sports, such as stand-up paddle, agility and flyball, in which the Border excels particularly.

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No matter which one you choose, they are both wonderful! But as we have seen these are not ordinary dogs, from all points of view: they are dynamic dogs, which would always need a “job” to feel satisfied.

They can’t stay indoors getting bored or even risk going inside depression: so adopt only one if you can guarantee him an excellent daily exercise and if you have time to dedicate to him. For the rest, he will learn everything in no time!