Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Carolina Dog: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Carolina Dog: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Carolina Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Carolina Dog
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Carolina Dog
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Carolina Dog
- Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Carolina Dog
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Carolina Dog
- Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Carolina Dog
- Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Carolina Dog
- Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Carolina Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Carolina Dog
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Carolina Dogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Carolina Dog?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Carolina Dog?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Carolina Dogs?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Carolina Dog?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Carolina Dog
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Carolina Dogs?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Carolina Dog?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Carolina Dogs?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Carolina Dog
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Carolina Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Carolina Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Carolina 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 Carolina 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 Carolina Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Carolina 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 Carolina 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 Carolina 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 Carolina Dog.
Australian Shepherd versus Carolina Dog: Overview
Both the Australian Shepherd and the Carolina Dog are similar in size. The Australian Shepherd and the Carolina Dog are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs 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.
On the other hand, the Carolina Dog belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Australian Shepherd versus Carolina Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Carolina 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 Carolina Dog
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Carolina Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 33 to 55 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | $500 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | $500 – $500 |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 66.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
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 Carolina 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 Carolina Dog is 73 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Carolina Dog, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Carolina 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!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Carolina Dog
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Carolina Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Carolina Dog
The Australian Shepherd and the Carolina Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Carolina Dog are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Carolina Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Carolina 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 Carolina Dog weighs 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. The Carolina Dog is 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Carolina 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)
Carolina Dog Colors
The Carolina Dog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Brown / Chocolate
- Golden
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Apricot / Beige
- White / Cream
The Carolina Dog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Black
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Carolina 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 Carolina Dog is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Carolina Dog is 13.5 years.
The Carolina Dog live as long as the Australian Shepherd.
Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Carolina Dog
The Australian Shepherd has a better temperament than the Carolina Dog.
This is because the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 percent while the temperament score for the Carolina Dog is 66.7 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 66.7 percent, the Carolina Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Carolina Dog by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 3 Carolina Dogs.
Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Carolina 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 Carolina Dog puppy is $500. The price of the Carolina Dog typically ranges from $500 – $500. However, the price of the Carolina Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 19 Carolina Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Australian Shepherd is more expensive than the Carolina Dog.
| Australian Shepherd | Carolina Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1180 | $500 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1500 | $500 to $500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Carolina Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Carolina 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 Carolina Dogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Carolina 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.
Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Carolina Dog
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Australian Shepherds and many Carolina 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 Blue that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Australian Shepherds like Blue on pefinder.com.
Also, like Australian Shepherds, Carolina Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, 22-095 Available 6-15-22 is a Male Carolina Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Carolina Dogs like 22-095 Available 6-15-22 that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
22-096 Rescue Only is the name of another Australian Shepherd (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Australian Shepherds and Carolina Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Carolina Dog
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Carolina Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Carolina Dogs?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Carolina Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Carolina Dog?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Carolina Dogs are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Carolina Dog?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Carolina Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Carolina Dogs?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Carolina Dog?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Carolina Dogs are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Carolina Dog
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Carolina Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Carolina Dogs?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Carolina Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Carolina 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.
Carolina 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 Carolina Dogs?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Carolina Dogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Carolina Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Carolina Dog
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Carolina Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Carolina Dogs can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Carolina Dog?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Carolina Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Carolina Dog?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Carolina 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 Carolina Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Komondor Australian Shepherd versus Briard Australian Shepherd versus Braque du Bourbonnais Australian Shepherd versus Great Dane Australian Shepherd versus Border Collie Australian Shepherd versus Maltipoo Australian Shepherd versus Kuvasz Australian Shepherd versus Australian Kelpie Australian Shepherd versus Norwegian Buhund Australian Shepherd versus Bich Poo Australian Shepherd versus Lakeland Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Bichon Frise Australian Shepherd versus Chinese Shar-Pei Australian Shepherd versus Basenji Australian Shepherd versus Cane Corso
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Carolina 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 Carolina Dog better suits you and your family.