Comparison
Border Collie vs Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler)
By Casa Trufa ·
Both are herding dogs with very high energy, but they work differently. The Border Collie is sensitive, closely tuned to its handler and made for sheep and a cool climate. The Australian Cattle Dog, or Blue Heeler, is tougher and more independent, made for cattle and heat. For the hot lowlands, the Heeler; for dog sports and obedience, the Border Collie.
How do they differ, point by point?
| Aspect | Border Collie | Blue Heeler |
|---|---|---|
| Working origin | Herding sheep, with the eye | Driving cattle, at the heels |
| Adult weight | 14–20 kg (31–44 lb) | 15–22 kg (33–49 lb) |
| Height at the withers | 46–56 cm (18–22 in) | 43–51 cm (17–20 in) |
| Energy | Very high | Very high |
| Temperament | Intelligent, sensitive, active | Tough, loyal, independent |
| Coat | Double coat, medium or long | Short, harsh double coat |
| Shedding | High, seasonal | Moderate, seasonal |
| Hot lowlands | With reservations: farm only, working in the cool hours | Suits it well: the most heat-tolerant |
| Cool highlands | Where it does its finest work | Also does well |
| With small children | May “herd” them; supervision | Nips at heels; better with older children |
| First dog | Generally, no | No |
| In an apartment | Only with a lot of dedication | We don’t recommend it |
| Parents’ tests | Hip and elbow dysplasia, CEA, TNS, MDR1 | Hip dysplasia, PRA-prcd, PLL, BAER |
| “Special handling” breed | No | No |
Sizes and weights of the breeds we raise: those on our breed pages. They are typical ranges, not a promise about a particular puppy.
Which one to choose, depending on your life?
- You have a farm in the hot lowlandsBlue Heeler
- You want to do agility, obedience or disc dogBorder Collie
- You live in a cool climate and exercise every dayBorder Collie
- You need a tough dog that will also guard the farmBlue Heeler
- You prefer a dog that is closely tuned to you and easy to motivateBorder Collie
Neither is for you if you want a calm dog, if it would be your first dog or if nobody at home can give it a job every day. With either of them, a lack of work turns into a problem.
Are the Blue Heeler and the Australian Shepherd the same?
No, and it is the most common confusion. The Blue Heeler is the Australian Cattle Dog — pastor ganadero australiano in Spanish — and is short-coated. The Australian Shepherd, or Aussie, is a different breed, long-coated and often merle, and it is the one most often compared with the Border Collie online. This page compares the Border Collie with the Heeler, which is the one we raise.
Which difference in temperament matters most?
Sensitivity. The Border Collie lives tuned to its person: it responds to a gesture, is frustrated by roughness and needs to be asked to do things. The Heeler is hardier and more independent: it decides for itself, puts up with more and needs clear, consistent limits.
In practice, the Border Collie is easier to train and harder to keep calm; the Heeler is harder to convince and tougher.
Frequently asked questions
Which handles heat better, the Border Collie or the Blue Heeler?
The Blue Heeler. It was developed to drive cattle in Australia and is the most heat-tolerant of the breeds we raise. The Border Collie in the hot lowlands comes with reservations.
Which is easier to train?
The Border Collie learns faster and is more tuned to its handler. The Blue Heeler is just as intelligent but more independent, and asks for more firmness and consistency.
Is either of them suited to an apartment?
The Border Collie, only with a lot of daily dedication. We don’t recommend the Blue Heeler in an apartment.
Sources
Breed profiles