Australian Cattle Dog vs Bearded Collie

Compare the Australian Cattle Dog to the Bearded Collie. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Australian Cattle Dogs and Bearded Collies.

Quick Summary

Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds.
  • Owner Experience - The Bearded Collie is excellent for new or inexperienced owners. The Australian Cattle Dog is strongly discouraged for new owners.
  • Children - The Bearded Collie is very child friendly. The Australian Cattle Dog does okay around kids, but is not as tolerant as the Bearded Collie.
  • Grooming - The Australian Cattle Dog is easy to groom while the Bearded Collie has moderate grooming needs.
  • Barking - The Bearded Collie has an above-average tendency to bark, while the Australian Cattle Dog is an average barker.
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Australian Cattle Dog vs Bearded Collie
Blue Australian Cattle Dog
Breed NameAustralian Cattle DogBearded Collie
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicNoNo
Lifespan12-14 yrs.12-14 yrs.
Height17-20 in.20-22 in.
Weight30-50 lb40-60 lb
IntelligenceHighHigh
History
Origin CountryAustraliaUK (Scotland)
Origin Year1840 AD1500 AD
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessVery GoodVery Good
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyAverageVery Good
Pet FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Stranger FriendlyPoorVery Good
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Jealous
  • Loving
  • Stubborn
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Loving
  • Willing To Please
Living Environment
ApartmentNoNo
IndoorNoNo
Small YardYesNo
Medium YardYesYes
Large YardYesYes
Temperature Tolerance ¹40°F to 95°F40°F to 75°F
Barks/HowlsBelow AverageOften
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelHighHigh
Exercise RequiredHighHigh
Top Running Speed25 mph22 mph
StrengthMediumMedium
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceLowHigh
SheddingLowMedium
DanderLowLow-Medium
Drool AmountNoneNone-Low

¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
Instincts & Behavior Comparison
Breed NameAustralian Cattle DogBearded Collie
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaNoNo
Family/PackYesYes
IndependentNoNo
Breed Focus
Distracted EasilyNoNo
AverageYesNo
Focused & PatientNoYes
Breed Instincts
AggressionBelow AverageBelow Average
Burrow/DiggingBelow AverageBelow Average
ChasingHighAverage
Follow CommandsBelow AverageHigh
FightingBelow AverageBelow Average
GuardingBelow AverageAverage
HerdingHighHigh
HuntingBelow AverageBelow Average
ProtectionBelow AverageHigh
Remove VerminVery LowBelow Average
SleddingBelow AverageVery Low
WatchBelow AverageHigh
Health Comparison
Breed NameAustralian Cattle DogBearded Collie
Lifespan
Lifespan12-14 yrs.12-14 yrs.
Common Health Issues
Addison's DiseaseNoYes
AllergiesNoYes
ArthritisNoYes
CancerNoYes
DeafnessYesNo
Eye DiseasesNoYes
Hip DysplasiaYesYes
HypothyroidismNoYes
Progressive Retinal AtrophyYesNo
Appearance Comparison
Breed NameAustralian Cattle DogBearded Collie
Coat
FurYesNo
HairNoYes
Coat Type
Double CoatYesYes
Coat Texture
StraightYesYes
SilkyNoYes
Coat Length(s)
ShortYesNo
LongNoYes
Coat Color(s)
BlueYesNo
Blue MottledYesNo
Blue SpeckledYesNo
Red MottledYesNo
Red SpeckledYesNo
Black & WhiteNoYes
Blue & WhiteNoYes
Brown & WhiteNoYes
Fawn & WhiteNoYes