The Dog Codex

Compare

Side by side

Choose two breeds. You’ll see the same strip of citeable traits — not a winner, and not kids / apartment / shedding scorecards.

Temperament lines are short plate excerpts, not a verdict. Open each plate for the full entry.

Collie

Collie

Herding · United Kingdom (Scotland / Northern England)

  • AKC group

    Herding

  • Size

    Large

  • Height

    51–66 cm (registry- and sex-specific; AKC dogs 61.0–66.0 cm / bitches 55.9–61.0 cm; FCI and Royal Kennel Club, Rough and Smooth, males 56–61 cm and females 51–56 cm)

  • Weight

    18–34 kg (registry- and sex-specific; AKC dogs 27.2–34.0 kg / bitches 22.7–29.5 kg; FCI and Royal Kennel Club Smooth males 20.5–29.5 kg and females 18–25 kg; FCI and Royal Kennel Club Rough standards give height only)

  • Energy

    High

  • Energy notes

    High, in line with this site’s other herding plates. FCI lists the utilization of both Rough and Smooth as Sheepdog, and its history of the Rough notes that many Collies can still work if given the chance.

  • Trainability

    High

  • Coat

    Under AKC rules there are two coat varieties of one breed; under FCI, Royal Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club naming, two breeds.

  • Origin

    United Kingdom (Scotland / Northern England)

  • Temperament

    The AKC standard wants a lithe, strong, responsive, active dog, and it names the things that spoil a Collie: timidity, frailness, sullenness, viciousness, lack of animation and a cumbersome appearance. Expression — sweet and intelligent, never sullen — is called one of the most important points of the breed.

Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherd

Herding · United States

  • AKC group

    Herding

  • Size

    Medium

  • Height

    46–58 cm (AKC/FCI)

  • Weight

    ~18–29 kg (AKC profile)

  • Energy

    High

  • Energy notes

    High. The standards describe an active working dog with the stamina to work all day.

  • Trainability

    High

  • Coat

    The coat is of medium texture and length, straight to wavy and weather resistant, with an undercoat that varies with the climate.

  • Origin

    United States

  • Temperament

    Both standards describe an intelligent, active dog with strong herding and guarding instincts and an even disposition: good-natured, seldom quarrelsome, and a loyal companion, though it may be somewhat reserved when meeting people for the first time. The FCI adds that Australian Shepherds show an unsurpassed devotion to their families.