Collie vs Poodle

Compare the Collie to the Poodle. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Collies and Poodles.

Quick Summary

Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds.
  • Owner Experience - Both breeds are good choices for new or inexperienced owners, but the Poodle is better suited for new owners.
  • Children - Both the Collie and Poodle are great with children.
  • Grooming - The Collie requires moderate grooming, but the Poodle has high grooming needs.
  • Barking - The Collie bark/howls frequently. The Poodle has an average level of barking.
Choose Another Breed to Compare
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Collie vs Poodle
Sable & White Rough Collie
Two Blue Standard Poodles Playing Tennis
Breed NameColliePoodle
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicNoYes
Lifespan14-16 yrs.12-15 yrs.
Height22-26 in.15-24 in.
Weight50-80 lb45-70 lb
IntelligenceHighHigh
History
Origin CountryUK (Scotland)Germany
Origin Year1800 AD1200 AD
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessVery GoodVery Good
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Pet FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Stranger FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Loving
  • Willing To Please
  • Affectionate
  • Loving
  • Willing To Please
Living Environment
ApartmentYesYes
IndoorYesYes
Small YardYesYes
Medium YardYesYes
Large YardYesYes
Temperature Tolerance ¹25°F to 80°F35°F to 80°F
Barks/HowlsVery OftenBelow Average
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelHighHigh
Exercise RequiredHighMedium-High
Top Running Speed25 mph32 mph
StrengthMediumMedium
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceHighHigh
SheddingHigh-Very HighNone
DanderHighNone
Drool AmountLowNone

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 NameColliePoodle
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaNoNo
Family/PackYesYes
IndependentNoNo
Breed Focus
Distracted EasilyNoYes
AverageNoNo
Focused & PatientYesYes
Breed Instincts
AggressionBelow AverageBelow Average
Burrow/DiggingBelow AverageVery Low
ChasingBelow AverageBelow Average
Follow CommandsHighAverage
FightingBelow AverageBelow Average
GuardingBelow AverageVery Low
HerdingHighAverage
HuntingBelow AverageHigh
ProtectionBelow AverageBelow Average
Remove VerminBelow AverageVery Low
SleddingBelow AverageVery Low
WatchHighAverage
Health Comparison
Breed NameColliePoodle
Lifespan
Lifespan14-16 yrs.12-15 yrs.
Common Health Issues
Addison's DiseaseNoYes
AllergiesNoYes
BloatNoYes
Canine Atrial Septal Defect (asd)NoYes
CataractsNoYes
Collie Eye AnomalyYesNo
Cushing's SyndromeNoYes
Drug SensitivityYesNo
Ear InfectionsNoYes
EpilepsyNoYes
Gray Collie SyndromeYesNo
Hip DysplasiaYesYes
HypothyroidismNoYes
Legg-perthes DiseaseNoYes
Neonatal Encephalopathy (news)NoYes
Optic Nerve HypoplasiaNoYes
Patellar LuxationNoYes
Premature GrayingNoYes
Progressive Retinal AtrophyYesYes
Runny EyesNoYes
Sebaceous AdenitisNoYes
Von Willebrand's DiseaseNoYes
Appearance Comparison
Breed NameColliePoodle
Coat
FurYesNo
HairNoYes
Coat Type
Double CoatYesNo
Smooth CoatYesNo
Corded CoatNoYes
Single CoatNoYes
Coat Texture
RoughYesYes
WavyNoYes
Coat Length(s)
LongYesYes
Coat Color(s)
Black White & TanYesNo
Blue MerleYesNo
Blue Merle & WhiteYesNo
Blue Merle, White, & TanYesNo
SableYesNo
Sable & WhiteYesNo
Sable MerleYesNo
Sable Merle & WhiteYesNo
WhiteYesYes
White MerleYesNo
ApricotNoYes
BlackNoYes
Black & ApricotNoYes
Black & BrownNoYes
Black & CreamNoYes
Black & GrayNoYes
Black & RedNoYes
Black & SilverNoYes
Black & TanNoYes
Black & WhiteNoYes
BlueNoYes
Blue & WhiteNoYes
BrownNoYes
Brown & ApricotNoYes
Brown & WhiteNoYes
Cafe Au LaitNoYes
CreamNoYes
Cream & WhiteNoYes
GrayNoYes
Gray & WhiteNoYes
RedNoYes
Red & ApricotNoYes
Red & WhiteNoYes
SilverNoYes
Silver BeigeNoYes
White & ApricotNoYes
White & SilverNoYes