Bearded Collie vs Spanish Water Dog

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

Quick Summary

Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds.
  • Owner Experience - Both the Bearded Collie and Spanish Water Dog are excellent choices for new or inexperienced owners.
  • Children - Both breeds are child friendly, but the Bearded Collie is the most friendly between the breeds.
  • Grooming - The Spanish Water Dog is easier to groom than the Bearded Collie.
  • Barking - Both the Bearded Collie and Spanish Water Dog are above average barkers.
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Bearded Collie vs Spanish Water Dog
Black & White Spanish Water Dog
Breed NameBearded CollieSpanish Water Dog
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicNoYes
Lifespan12-14 yrs.10-14 yrs.
Height20-22 in.16-20 in.
Weight40-60 lb30-50 lb
IntelligenceHighAverage
History
Origin CountryUK (Scotland)Spain
Origin Year1500 AD1100 AD
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessVery GoodVery Good
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyVery GoodGood
Pet FriendlyVery GoodGood
Stranger FriendlyVery GoodBelow Average
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Loving
  • Willing To Please
  • Affectionate
  • Aggressive
  • Willing To Please
Living Environment
ApartmentNoNo
IndoorNoNo
Small YardNoYes
Medium YardYesYes
Large YardYesYes
Temperature Tolerance ¹40°F to 75°F20°F to 80°F
Barks/HowlsOftenOften
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelHighHigh
Exercise RequiredHighHigh-Very High
Top Running Speed22 mph20 mph
StrengthMediumHigh
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceHighLow
SheddingMediumNone
DanderLow-MediumNone-Low
Drool AmountNone-LowLow

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 NameBearded CollieSpanish Water Dog
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaNoNo
Family/PackYesNo
IndependentNoYes
Breed Focus
Distracted EasilyNoNo
AverageNoNo
Focused & PatientYesYes
Breed Instincts
AggressionBelow AverageBelow Average
Burrow/DiggingBelow AverageBelow Average
ChasingAverageBelow Average
Follow CommandsHighBelow Average
FightingBelow AverageAverage
GuardingAverageHigh
HerdingHighHigh
HuntingBelow AverageAverage
ProtectionHighHigh
Remove VerminBelow AverageBelow Average
SleddingVery LowBelow Average
WatchHighHigh
Health Comparison
Breed NameBearded CollieSpanish Water Dog
Lifespan
Lifespan12-14 yrs.10-14 yrs.
Common Health Issues
Addison's DiseaseYesYes
AllergiesYesYes
ArthritisYesNo
CancerYesNo
CataractsNoYes
Cherry EyeNoYes
DistichiasisNoYes
Exocrine Pancreatic InsufficiencyNoYes
Eye DiseasesYesNo
Hip DysplasiaYesYes
HypothyroidismYesYes
Neuroaxonal DystrophyNoYes
Progressive Retinal AtrophyNoYes
Appearance Comparison
Breed NameBearded CollieSpanish Water Dog
Coat
HairYesYes
Coat Type
Double CoatYesNo
Curly CoatNoYes
Coat Texture
SilkyYesNo
StraightYesNo
WoolyNoYes
Coat Length(s)
LongYesYes
Coat Color(s)
Black & WhiteYesYes
Blue & WhiteYesNo
Brown & WhiteYesNo
Fawn & WhiteYesNo
BeigeNoYes
BlackNoYes
BrownNoYes
WhiteNoYes