Australian Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Australian Shepherd Versus Australian Cattle Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Shepherd and for the Australian Cattle Dog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Australian Cattle Dog.

Australian Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog: Overview

Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are similar in size. The Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are Herding Dogs. This means both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Australian Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Australian Cattle Dog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog

FactorAustralian ShepherdAustralian Cattle Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Easy To Groom1/54/5
Life Span12 to 15 years12 to 15 years
Height18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners2/51/5
Tolerates Being Alone2/53/5
General Health2/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/52/5
Does NOT Shed3/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
Kid-Friendly4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Does NOT chew on things2/51/5
Low Prey Drive2/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/51/5
Weight40 to 65 pounds30 to 50 pounds
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Dog Friendly5/54/5
Easy To Train5/55/5
Intelligence5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years13.5 years
Average Price$1180$800
Price Range$800 – $1500$500 – $900
Temperament Score82.2 percent79.6 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia (evaluation at two years or older)
  • Eye Examination – Min Age 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • prcd-Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy RCD4
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds1554
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Australian Cattle Dog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Australian Cattle Dog is 76 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Australian Cattle Dog, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Australian Cattle Dog.

    This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!

    Australian Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog

    Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are most different:

  • Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to groom.
  • Australian Shepherds have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Australian Cattle Dogs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog

    The Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog.

    The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Australian Cattle Dog weighs 30 to 50 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Cattle Dog is 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Australian Shepherd versus Size of Australian Cattle Dog

    Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog

    Australian Shepherd Colors

    The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Black
    • Merle (Red)
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Harlequin
    • Merle (Blue)
    • White / Cream
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Bicolor
    • Golden
    • Brindle

    The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Black
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Sable
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Merle (Blue)

    Australian Cattle Dog Colors

    The Australian Cattle Dog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Merle (Blue)
    • Black
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Merle (Red)
    • Bicolor
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Brindle

    The Australian Cattle Dog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Black
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Harlequin
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Merle (Blue)
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Merle (Red)

    Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog

    The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of the Australian Cattle Dog is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Cattle Dog is 13.5 years.

    The Australian Cattle Dog live as long as the Australian Shepherd.

    Australian Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog

    Temperament of the Australian Cattle Dog Versus the Australian Shepherd

    The Australian Shepherd has a better temperament than the Australian Cattle Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Cattle Dog is 79.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 79.6 percent, the Australian Cattle Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 201 Australian Cattle Dogs.

    Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Australian Cattle Dog

    The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Australian Cattle Dog puppy is $800. The price of the Australian Cattle Dog typically ranges from $500 – $900. However, the price of the Australian Cattle Dog can be as low as $100 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1088 Australian Cattle Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Australian Shepherd is more expensive than the Australian Cattle Dog.

    Australian Shepherd Australian Cattle Dog
    Average Price $1180 $800
    Price Range $800 to $1500 $500 to $900

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Australian Cattle Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Australian Cattle Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Cattle Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Cattle Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Australian Cattle Dog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Australian Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog

    Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Australian Cattle Dog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Australian Shepherds and many Australian Cattle Dogs are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Australian Shepherd named Alonzo that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Australian Shepherds like Alonzo on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Australian Shepherds, Australian Cattle Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Jojo is a Male Australian Cattle Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Australian Cattle Dogs like Jojo that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also, King is an adorable Male Australian Cattle Dog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Australian Shepherds and Australian Cattle Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Australian Cattle Dog

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Australian Cattle Dog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Australian Cattle Dog is 54 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Australian Shepherd

    Popularity of Australian Shepherd

    Popularity of Australian Cattle Dog

    Popularity of Australian Cattle Dog

    Year Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank Australian Cattle Dog Popularity Rank
    2013 20 58
    2014 18 55
    2015 17 56
    2016 16 54
    2017 17 56
    2018 15 55
    2019 13 55
    2020 12 54
    2021 12 51

    Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Australian Cattle Dog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Australian Cattle Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Australian Shepherd.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Cattle Dog than for the Australian Shepherd.

    7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 9 tests are recommended for the Australian Cattle Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Australian Cattle Dogs.

    Australian Shepherd Health Problems

    Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Australian Shepherds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.

    Australian Cattle Dog Health Problems

    Australian Cattle Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Cattle Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Australian Cattle Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Cattle Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Australian Cattle Dogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia (evaluation at two years or older)
  • Eye Examination – Min Age 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • prcd-Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy RCD4

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Cattle Dogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Australian Shepherds and Australian Cattle Dogs

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Australian Shepherd Breed is Cataracts problems.

    This is because the Australian Shepherd ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Cataracts problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 107 Australian Shepherds, 2 of them had Cataracts problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Australian Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Australian Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Cataracts problems: Rank 1 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 2 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 7 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 12 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 19 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 28 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 60 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 66 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 77 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 103 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 133 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 150 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Australian Cattle Dog Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Australian Cattle Dog ranks 1 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 3606 Australian Cattle Dogs, 378 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Australian Cattle Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Australian Cattle Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 1 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 2 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 5 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 5 out of 8 Dog Breeds
  • Primary Lens Luxation problems: Rank 15 out of 17 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 32 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 38 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 39 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 62 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 63 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 104 out of 145 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Australian Shepherd and in Australian Cattle Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog:

    Disease Australian Shepherd Rank Australian Cattle Dog Rank
    Cataracts problems 1 out of 5 dog breeds Not Common
    Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems 2 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 7 out of 32 dog breeds 1 out of 32 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 12 out of 70 dog breeds 38 out of 70 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems 19 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 28 out of 49 dog breeds 5 out of 49 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 60 out of 159 dog breeds 63 out of 159 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 66 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 77 out of 144 dog breeds 39 out of 144 dog breeds
    Patella problems 103 out of 145 dog breeds 104 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 133 out of 182 dog breeds 32 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 150 out of 198 dog breeds 62 out of 198 dog breeds
    Baer Hearing Test problems Not Common 2 out of 21 dog breeds
    Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems Not Common 5 out of 8 dog breeds
    Primary Lens Luxation problems Not Common 15 out of 17 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog

    Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Australian Cattle Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Australian Cattle Dogs?

    Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

    Australian Cattle Dogs shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Australian Cattle Dog?

    Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Australian Cattle Dog?

    Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Australian Cattle Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Australian Cattle Dogs?

    Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Australian Cattle Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Australian Cattle Dog?

    Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Australian Cattle Dog

    Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Australian Cattle Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Australian Cattle Dogs?

    Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Australian Cattle Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Cattle Dog?

    Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Australian Cattle Dogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Australian Cattle Dogs?

    Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Australian Cattle Dogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Cattle Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Australian Cattle Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Australian Cattle Dog

    Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Australian Cattle Dogs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Cattle Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Australian Cattle Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Australian Cattle Dog?

    Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Australian Cattle Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Australian Cattle Dog?

    Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Australian Cattle Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Australian Cattle Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:

    Australian Shepherd versus Affenpinscher     Australian Shepherd versus Afador     Australian Shepherd versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Australian Shepherd versus Stabyhoun     Australian Shepherd versus American Foxhound     Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear     Australian Shepherd versus Canaan Dog     Australian Shepherd versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Australian Shepherd versus Swedish Vallhund     Australian Shepherd versus Chinese Crested     Australian Shepherd versus Miniature Schnauzer     Australian Shepherd versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Australian Shepherd versus Akbash     Australian Shepherd versus Standard Poodle     Australian Shepherd versus Mountain Cur     Australian Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog     

    Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog better suits you and your family.

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