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

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

• Australian Shepherd Versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Introduction
• Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Overview
• Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table
• The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
• Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
• Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
• Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
• Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
• Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
• Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
• Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
• Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
• Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
• Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
• Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?

Australian Shepherd Versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a giant-sized dog.

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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 out of 125.

Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. So, you should get a Australian Shepherd!

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

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

The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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

Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog weighs 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 24 to 34 inches when fully grown.

Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Caucasian Shepherd 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)

Caucasian Shepherd Dog Colors

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

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

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

Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 11.0 years.

The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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

This is because the temperament score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 85.0 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 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 85.0 percent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 20 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.

Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy is $1960. The price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 71 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

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

The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Caucasian Shepherd Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs

Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog

You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Australian Shepherds and many Caucasian Shepherd 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, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Mars is a Male Caucasian Shepherd Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Caucasian Shepherd Dogs like Mars that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

Blue is the name of another Australian Shepherd (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

Also, Achillies is an adorable Male Caucasian Shepherd Dog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Australian Shepherd.

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

Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Caucasian Shepherd 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:

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

Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Problems

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs for:

You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Caucasian Shepherd Dogs here.

Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

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

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

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

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

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

Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

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

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Caucasian Shepherd 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.

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

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

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:

Australian Shepherd versus Goldendoodle     Australian Shepherd versus English Cocker Spaniel     Australian Shepherd versus Brittany     Australian Shepherd versus Gordon Setter     Australian Shepherd versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Australian Shepherd versus Pointer     Australian Shepherd versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Australian Shepherd versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Australian Shepherd versus Maremma Sheepdog     Australian Shepherd versus Basset Hound     Australian Shepherd versus Cane Corso     Australian Shepherd versus Cockalier     Australian Shepherd versus Komondor     Australian Shepherd versus Schipperke     Australian Shepherd versus Border Terrier     Australian Shepherd versus American Foxhound     

Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog better suits you and your family.

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