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.

Miniature American Shepherd

Miniature American Shepherd

Herding · United States

  • AKC group

    Herding

  • Size

    Small

  • Height

    33–46 cm (AKC)

  • Weight

    ~9–18 kg (AKC profile)

  • Energy

    High

  • Energy notes

    High. The standard calls the Miniature American Shepherd a highly versatile, energetic dog with the agility, strength and stamina to work over varied terrain, and the Kennel Club recommends one to two hours of exercise a day.

  • Trainability

    High

  • Coat

    The double coat is moderate in every way: medium in length and texture, straight to wavy and weather resistant, with an undercoat that varies with the climate.

  • Origin

    United States

  • Temperament

    The standard describes an intelligent, primarily working dog with strong herding and guardian instincts, and an exceptional companion that is versatile, easily trained and enthusiastic about its work. It may be reserved with strangers but should never be shy.