Border Collie vs. Australian Shepherd: Which Canine Athlete Is Right for You?

Border Collies are aptly named—these dogs originated along the border between England and Scotland. The dogs worked closely with sheep farmers and gained a reputation for their super-dog intelligence and herding prowess.

Australian Shepherds also got their start as sheep herders, but their name is a bit of a misnomer. Aussies didn’t actually come from Australia—rather, their history began in the Basque region of Spain.

As Basque herders migrated to Australia, according to the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA), their dogs were in tow. Eventually, the dogs made their way to the U.S., where they gained popularity not only as proficient herders, but as trick-performing pups at rodeos.

Australian Shepherds and Border Collies are both medium-sized, fluffy dogs who look quite similar at first glance. But there are subtle ways you can tell the two apart.

• Size: Border Collies and Aussies both stand around 20 inches, give or take. But Australian Shepherds have a bit more heft to them—Aussies can weigh 40–65 pounds, while the slimmer Border Collie is typically 30–55 pounds.
• Coat length: Both breeds are heavy shedders with a thick double coat. An Aussie’s coat is always medium-length, while a Border Collie can have a medium-length or a short and dense coat.
• Coat color: Australian Shepherd and Border Collie colors overlap a bit—black, red, blue merle, and red merle are possible for both breeds. But Border Collies can come in a much wider range of colors, including lilac, gold, and brindle.
• Ears: Border Collies have upright and alert ears that may fold over a bit at the tips, while the Aussie’s triangular ears have a more significant fold.
• Tail: Border Collies have long tails set low on the body. Aussies can also have long tails, but some Australian Shepherd puppies are born with a bobtail. It’s also common for Aussie tails to be docked (though this is a controversial practice that many organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, oppose).

Just like with their looks, Border Collies and Australian Shepherds share a lot of personality traits.

Border Collies are the valedictorians of the dog world—they’re often cited as the smartest breed. But that big brain doesn’t make them stuck-up. In fact, Border Collies are friendly dogs who are particularly loving toward their family.

“While they are for the most part friendly with everyone, they tend to be laser-focused on their person and family,” says Diana Smith, president of the Border Collie Society of America. 

Aussies are also at the top of their class; think of them as the Border Collie’s salutatorian. And like Border Collies, they’re happiest when by their pet parent’s side, says Kimber Shields, president of the United States Australian Shepherd Association.

Both dogs share an almost irresistible urge to herd anything that moves, including children, other pets, or people on bicycles. This means socialization and training are super important for each breed, so they learn to be on their best behavior—and so they don’t try to herd other pups at the dog park.

Are you an athlete looking for a workout buddy? A Border Collie or an Australian Shepherd will be right at home with you. Both dogs are always on the go and need more exercise than the average breed.

While every dog is an individual with their own specific needs, Aussies and Border Collies typically need one to two hours of exercise every day. Smith says dogs bred from sporting or working lines will likely need a higher level of exercise.

The Border Collie’s active mind is matched with tremendous energy, so be prepared for vigorous exercise.

“Border Collies rank at the top of the chart in all manner of sports: herding, agility, obedience, rally, barn hunt, dock diving, flyball, tracking, and scent work,” Smith says. “Even just a walk in the woods or run in the park makes them happy, as long as you are with them.”

Aussies are also sports stars, and they share a love for many of the same activities Border Collies do. But Shields says they’re a little more adaptable than Border Collies—the most important thing is that they’re by your side, no matter how you’re spending your time.

“Aussies are such loyal companions that if you want to run 10 miles, they will happily run 10 miles with you,” Shields says. “If you want to sit on the couch and watch movies [after exercise], they will happily sit on the couch with you.”  

Both dogs have a dense double coat that sheds a lot. To keep the fur from flying, brush your dog every couple of days. Plan for a bath night about once a month. Even with this diligent coat care, you should still expect regular shedding (especially in the spring and fall).

Along with their coat, it’s important to keep your dog’s nails trimmed and teeth brushed.

With average life expectancies of 12–15 years, Australian Shepherds and Border Collies are both relatively healthy dogs. They can experience some shared health issues, including:

• Hip dysplasia
• Collie eye anomaly
• Epilepsy
• Multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) mutation

Both dogs need measured meals of high-quality dog food; a sport or performance formula might be a good fit for these energetic dogs. Stay up to date with wellness exams and talk to your vet about keeping your dog healthy.

At the end of the day, Border Collies and Australian Shepherds have more in common than many other dog breeds.

They’re full of energy and love for their family, and pet parents need to prioritize exercise and mental stimulation when bringing home either pup. If you live a low-key lifestyle or like to stay at home bingeing the latest HBO miniseries, consider a calmer dog breed instead.