Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Coton de Tulear: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Coton de Tulear
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Coton de Tulear
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear
- Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Coton de Tulear
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear
- Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Coton de Tulear
- Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Coton de Tulear
- The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Coton de Tulear
- Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Coton de Tulear
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Coton de Tulears?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Coton de Tulear?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Coton de Tulear?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Coton de Tulears?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Coton de Tulear?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Coton de Tulear
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Coton de Tulears?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Coton de Tulear?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Coton de Tulears?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Coton de Tulear
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Coton de Tulear: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Coton de Tulear? 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear. 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 Coton de Tulear.
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 Coton de Tulear.
Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Coton de Tulear is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Coton de Tulear is a tiny-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 Coton de Tulear belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Coton de Tulear |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 14 to 16 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 8 to 13 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 15.0 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | $1980 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | $1600 – $2400 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 75 |
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 Coton de Tulear. 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 Coton de Tulear is 94 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Coton de Tulear, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Coton de Tulear.
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 Coton de Tulear
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Coton de Tulear are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Coton de Tulear
The Australian Shepherd and the Coton de Tulear are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Coton de Tulear are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Coton de Tulear.
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 Coton de Tulear weighs 8 to 13 pounds when fully grown. The Coton de Tulear is 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Coton de Tulear
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)
Coton de Tulear Colors
The Coton de Tulear comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
The Coton de Tulear comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear
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 Coton de Tulear is between 14 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Coton de Tulear is 15.0 years.
The Coton de Tulear live longer than the Australian Shepherd.
Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Coton de Tulear
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 Coton de Tulear puppy is $1980. The price of the Coton de Tulear typically ranges from $1600 – $2400. However, the price of the Coton de Tulear can be as low as $550 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 253 Coton de Tulear puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Coton de Tulear is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
| Australian Shepherd | Coton de Tulear | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1180 | $1980 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1500 | $1600 to $2400 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Coton de Tulear. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulears
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Australian Shepherds and many Coton de Tulears 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 Pepperjack that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Australian Shepherds like Pepperjack on pefinder.com.
Also, like Australian Shepherds, Coton de Tulears are also available for adoption. For example, Jalo is a Male Coton de Tulear that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Coton de Tulears like Jalo that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Alonzo 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 Coton de Tulears that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Coton de Tulear
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 Coton de Tulear over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Coton de Tulear. 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 Coton de Tulear is 75 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Australian Shepherd
Popularity of Coton de Tulear
| Year | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank | Coton de Tulear Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 | no data |
| 2014 | 18 | 31.0 |
| 2015 | 17 | 85.0 |
| 2016 | 16 | 80.0 |
| 2017 | 17 | 81.0 |
| 2018 | 15 | 81.0 |
| 2019 | 13 | 81.0 |
| 2020 | 12 | 80.0 |
| 2021 | 12 | 83.0 |
Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Coton de Tulear
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 Coton de Tulear 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 Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Coton de Tulear.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the Coton de Tulear.
7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 3 tests are recommended for the Coton de Tulear.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Coton de Tulears.
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.
Coton de Tulear Health Problems
Coton de Tulears are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulears for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Coton de Tulears here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Australian Shepherds and Coton de Tulears
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:
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 Coton de Tulear Breed is Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.
This is because the Coton de Tulear ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Coton de Tulears, 47 of them had Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Coton de Tulears, and how common these diseases are in Coton de Tulears relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Australian Shepherd and in Coton de Tulear and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Australian Shepherd and the Coton de Tulear:
| Disease | Australian Shepherd Rank | Coton de Tulear 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 | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 12 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Shoulder problems | 19 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 28 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 60 out of 159 dog breeds | 71 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 66 out of 115 dog breeds | 61 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 77 out of 144 dog breeds | 103 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 103 out of 145 dog breeds | 36 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 133 out of 182 dog breeds | 168 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 150 out of 198 dog breeds | 121 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems | Not Common | 1 out of 2 dog breeds |
| Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems | Not Common | 2 out of 5 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 Coton de Tulear
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Coton de Tulears?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Coton de Tulear?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulear?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Coton de Tulears?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Coton de Tulears are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Coton de Tulear?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Coton de Tulear
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Coton de Tulears do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Coton de Tulears?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Coton de Tulears get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Coton de Tulear?
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.
Coton de Tulears have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Coton de Tulears?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Coton de Tulears are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Coton de Tulear
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Coton de Tulears can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Coton de Tulear?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Coton de Tulear?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Coton de Tulears are very good 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 Coton de Tulear. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Affenhuahua Australian Shepherd versus Whoodle Australian Shepherd versus Saint Berdoodle Australian Shepherd versus Pointer Australian Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound Australian Shepherd versus Vizsla Australian Shepherd versus Xoloitzcuintli Australian Shepherd versus Boxerdoodle Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter Australian Shepherd versus Mal Shi Australian Shepherd versus Karelian Bear Dog Australian Shepherd versus Norfolk Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Australian Shepherd versus Chihuahua Australian Shepherd versus Valley Bulldog
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear. 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 Coton de Tulear better suits you and your family.