| Breed |  Australian Kelpie |  Border Collie |
|---|
| Origin | Australia | United Kingdom (England-Scotland border) |
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| Group | Pastoral | Pastoral |
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| Size | Medium | Medium |
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| Coat | Short, dense, weather-resistant double coat | Medium double coat, smooth or rough |
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| Weight | 11 to 20 kg | 12 to 24 kg |
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| Height | 43 to 51 cm | 46 to 56 cm |
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| Lifespan | 12 to 15 yrs | 12 to 15 yrs |
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| Exercise need | 10/10 | 10/10 |
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| Affection | 7/10 | 8/10 |
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| Grooming needs | 2/10 | 4/10 |
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| Barking | 6/10 | 6/10 |
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| Good with children | 6/10 | 6/10 |
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| Good with other dogs | 6/10 | 6/10 |
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| Trainability | 9/10 | 10/10 |
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| Prey drive | 7/10 | 8/10 |
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| Copes alone | 3/10 | 2/10 |
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| Drool | 1/10 | 1/10 |
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| Shedding | 5/10 | 6/10 |
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| Flat fit | 2/10 | 2/10 |
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| Running cost | €79 / month | €106 / month |
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Australian Kelpie verdict
The endless worker: a brilliant herding dog that needs a job, not a flat.
Get one if
- · Farms and smallholdings with livestock
- · Agility, flyball, herding and canicross enthusiasts
- · Very active owners who run or hike daily
Think again if
- · Flats and small gardens
- · Households out at work all day
- · Families wanting a calm, cuddly pet
Border Collie verdict
The world's most capable herding mind, needing an equally capable owner to match it.
Get one if
- · Experienced, highly active owners
- · Households involved in dog sports such as agility or flyball
- · Working farms or smallholdings needing a stockdog
Think again if
- · First-time or sedentary owners
- · Flat dwellers without garden or open space access
- · Households with very young children and cyclists nearby unmanaged
