If you’re an active person looking at herding breeds, you’ve probably narrowed it down to these two. I get it. Both the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie are stunning, athletic, scary-smart dogs that’ll happily join you on any adventure you dream up. They’re also both capable of destroying your house if you don’t give them enough to do.
But they’re not the same dog. Not even close. I’ve spent years around Border Collies — owned two myself — and I’ve helped several friends raise Aussies. The differences between these breeds are real, and picking the wrong one for your lifestyle is a mistake you’ll feel every single day. So let’s break down the aussie vs border collie differences honestly, because both breeds deserve owners who actually understand what they’re signing up for.
And trust me, you want to get this right.
Two Herding Breeds, Two Different Styles
People lump these two together constantly. “Oh, they’re both herding dogs.” Sure. A Honda Civic and a Formula 1 car are both vehicles, too. The way these breeds work, think, and interact with the world is genuinely different — and those differences trace straight back to where they came from.
Border Collie Origins
Border Collies were developed along the Scottish-English border, bred specifically for one thing: moving sheep with surgical precision. Everything about the breed — the intense stare, the crouching gait, the obsessive focus — was selected for over hundreds of years. These dogs worked vast, hilly terrain where a farmer might need one dog to manage several hundred sheep across miles of open land.
The result? A dog built for sustained mental and physical effort. A dog that doesn’t just want a job. It needs one.
Old Hemp, born in 1893, is considered the father of the modern Border Collie. He was described as quiet, powerful, and able to control sheep with just his eyes. That “eye” — the intense, predatory stare Border Collies use to move livestock — is the breed’s signature. Every BC you see today carries some echo of that trait.
Australian Shepherd Origins
Here’s the thing that trips everyone up: Australian Shepherds aren’t from Australia. The breed was developed in the American West during the 1800s. The “Australian” part likely comes from the Australian sheep (or Basque shepherds who’d spent time in Australia) that came to America. The dogs that worked those flocks eventually became the Aussie we know today.
American ranchers needed something different from what the Scottish borders demanded. They needed a dog that could handle cattle and sheep, work in varied terrain from mountains to desert, guard property, and be a general-purpose ranch partner. Aussies became exactly that — less specialized, more adaptable, tougher in a scrappy kind of way.
Where a Border Collie is a laser, an Aussie is a Swiss Army knife.
Energy and Exercise — Can You Keep Up?
Both breeds will run you into the ground. That’s not an exaggeration. But the type of energy is different, and understanding that difference is everything when you’re choosing between an australian shepherd vs border collie.
Border Collie: The Marathon Runner
A Border Collie’s energy is relentless and focused. My first BC, Finn, could run alongside my bike for 10 miles and then immediately start pestering me to throw a ball. Their endurance is almost unfair. They don’t just have energy — they have stamina paired with intensity.
BCs excel at:
– Distance running — they’ll do a half marathon with you and look bored
– Agility courses — they dominate competition at every level
– Flyball — speed and focus make them naturals
– Frisbee — the classic BC activity for a reason
The catch? A tired Border Collie body doesn’t mean a tired Border Collie brain. You can exhaust them physically and they’ll still need mental work. That’s the part people underestimate.
Aussie: The Trail Adventure Partner
Aussies have a different energy signature. They’re enthusiastic, bouncy, and game for anything — but they also have a slightly better “off switch” than most Border Collies. Slightly. Don’t get too excited about that.
An Aussie is the dog you want if your weekends involve:
– Hiking different trails every week
– Dock diving or swimming
– Camping trips where the dog needs to settle at night
– Mixed activity days — a morning run, afternoon at the park, evening training session
They’re stockier than BCs, with a lower center of gravity. This makes them surprisingly good at scrambling over rocky terrain. A friend’s Aussie, Bandit, is an absolute mountain goat on trails that make my leggy Border Collie look clumsy.
Minimum Daily Exercise Requirements
Here’s where I’ll be blunt. If you can’t commit to at least 90 minutes of active exercise daily, neither breed is for you. I’m not talking about a casual walk around the block. I mean real, vigorous activity.
| Activity Level | Border Collie | Australian Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum daily exercise | 90-120 minutes | 60-90 minutes |
| Ideal daily exercise | 2+ hours | 90-120 minutes |
| Mental stimulation needed | Very high | High |
| Can skip a day? | Absolutely not | Not recommended |
| Apartment friendly? | No | Possible with dedication |
Border Collies running with their owners is one of the most natural partnerships you’ll find in the dog world. They pace beautifully and have joint structure that supports distance work. Aussies are slightly more prone to overheating with that thicker coat, so summer running needs more caution. If you’re specifically wondering about a border collie or australian shepherd for running, the BC has a slight edge for pure distance, while the Aussie is better for varied-pace trail running.
Temperament and Bonding Style
This is where these breeds really diverge. And it’s where I think most people make their choice — or should.
Border Collie Intensity and Focus
Border Collies bond hard. Like, uncomfortably hard sometimes. Finn would watch me so intently that guests found it unsettling. He didn’t just want to be in the same room — he wanted to be tracking my every movement, anticipating what I’d do next.
This intensity is beautiful when you’re working together. Training a BC feels like a conversation. They read your body language better than most humans do. But that same intensity means they can develop anxiety if they feel uncertain about their role or routine.
BCs tend to be one-person dogs. They’ll tolerate the rest of the family just fine, but there’s usually one human they’re truly locked in with. If that appeals to you — having a dog that feels like a genuine partner — a BC might be your breed.
Aussie Versatility and Goofiness
Aussies are… goofier. I don’t mean that as an insult. They have this playful, slightly ridiculous streak that Border Collies often lack. My friend’s Aussie will bring you a toy, do a full body wiggle, and then play keep-away for ten minutes. A Border Collie would never waste time on keep-away. There’s no point to it.
Aussies bond strongly with their whole family rather than fixating on one person. They’re more naturally social, more willing to engage with visitors, and generally more adaptable to household chaos. Got kids running around? An Aussie will probably handle that better than a BC, who might try to herd them into a corner. (Not joking. We’ll get to that.)
Behavior with Strangers and Other Dogs
| Trait | Border Collie | Australian Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Stranger friendliness | Reserved to aloof | Cautious but warmer |
| Dog park behavior | Can be reactive | Generally social |
| Protective instinct | Low to moderate | Moderate to high |
| Guarding tendency | Rare | Common |
Aussies have a natural guarding instinct that BCs mostly lack. Your Aussie will bark when someone comes to the door. Your Border Collie might not even look up from whatever obsessive task it’s focused on.
Trainability and Mental Stimulation Needs
Both breeds sit in the top tier of canine intelligence. Stanley Coren’s research ranks the Border Collie as the #1 most intelligent dog breed, with Aussies consistently landing in the top 10. But intelligence shows up differently in each breed.
Border Collies learn new commands in under 5 repetitions and obey first commands 95% of the time. They’re almost too trainable — they’ll pick up things you didn’t intend to teach them. Finn learned to open the back door by watching me do it twice. That was fun.
Aussies are fast learners too, but they have more independent thinking. A BC follows your direction precisely. An Aussie might improvise. In herding, this shows up clearly — BCs respond to whistles and hand signals with mechanical precision, while Aussies are more likely to make judgment calls on their own.
For mental stimulation, here’s my honest recommendation:
Border Collies need — puzzle toys rotated daily, trick training sessions, a structured “job” (even if that’s just a complex fetch routine), and novel challenges regularly. Repetition bores them fast.
Aussies need — training variety, interactive play, social stimulation, and physical-mental combo activities like nosework or agility. They handle routine slightly better than BCs but still need real engagement.
If you slack on mental stimulation with either breed, you’ll pay for it. But the BC’s consequences tend to be more destructive and neurotic. An under-stimulated Aussie might dig up your garden. An under-stimulated Border Collie might develop obsessive light-chasing behavior that requires professional intervention.
Herding Instinct in a Home Setting
Both breeds carry strong herding instinct. But it shows up in very different — and sometimes really annoying — ways in a home environment.
Border Collies use “eye.” That intense, crouching, stalking approach. In a home, this translates to staring down the cat, stalking joggers on walks, or fixating on moving objects like cars or bikes. The predatory motor pattern is: eye > stalk > chase. It’s hardwired. You manage it — you don’t eliminate it.
Aussies are “loose-eyed” herders. They use their body more — bumping, blocking, circling. In a home, this often means physically pushing family members around, body-checking kids who are running, and inserting themselves between you and anything they want to control.
Nipping, Chasing, and How to Manage It
Both breeds nip. Let’s not sugarcoat this. Herding breeds use their mouths to move livestock, and that instinct doesn’t vanish because you live in a suburb.
What works:
– Redirect immediately to a toy — every single time
– Teach a solid “leave it” before the nipping becomes habitual
– Give the herding instinct a legitimate outlet (treibball is brilliant for this)
– Never, ever play chase games where the dog pursues running children
What doesn’t work:
– Yelling or physical corrections — both breeds shut down under harsh treatment
– Ignoring it and hoping they grow out of it — they won’t
– Limiting exercise to try to “calm them down” — this backfires spectacularly
I’ve seen more Border Collies develop problematic herding behavior than Aussies, mainly because the BC’s instinct is more intense and harder to redirect. But both breeds need proactive management from day one.
Health and Lifespan Comparison
Good news: both breeds are generally healthy and long-lived for their size. But there are some important differences.
| Health Factor | Border Collie | Australian Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Average lifespan | 12-15 years | 12-15 years |
| Common hip issues | Moderate risk | Moderate risk |
| Eye conditions | CEA, PRA | Cataracts, CEA |
| Epilepsy risk | Higher than average | Lower than BC |
| Double merle risk | Possible | Higher concern |
Both breeds can develop hip dysplasia, though responsible breeders screen for it. Border Collies have slightly higher rates of epilepsy, which is worth knowing. Aussies with merle coloring need careful breeding — two merle parents can produce double merle puppies with serious vision and hearing problems. Always ask a breeder about the parents’ merle status.
MDR1 Gene and Drug Sensitivity
This is genuinely important. Both Australian Shepherds and Border Collies can carry the MDR1 gene mutation, which causes dangerous sensitivity to certain common drugs — most notably ivermectin (found in some heartworm preventatives), loperamide (Imodium), and several chemotherapy drugs.
Roughly 50-75% of Aussies and 5-10% of Border Collies carry at least one copy of the MDR1 mutation. The reaction can be severe — neurological symptoms, seizures, even death in some cases.
Get your dog tested. The Washington State University Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Lab offers the test, and most vets can order it. It’s a simple cheek swab. Non-negotiable for either breed. Tell your vet which breed you have on your very first visit so they can avoid problematic medications before results come back.
Grooming and Coat Care
Neither breed is low-maintenance in the grooming department, but they’re not the worst either.
Border Collies come in two coat types: rough (long, feathered) and smooth (shorter, denser). Rough coats need brushing 3-4 times a week. Smooth coats are easier — twice a week usually does it.
Aussies have a thick double coat that sheds. A lot. Like, buy a robot vacuum and a good de-shedding tool a lot. They blow their undercoat twice a year, and during those periods, you’ll find tumbleweeds of fur in every corner of your house. Regular brushing (3-4 times weekly, daily during coat blow) keeps it manageable.
Never shave either breed. Their double coats regulate temperature in both hot and cold weather. Shaving damages the coat structure and can cause permanent texture changes. A good undercoat rake is your best friend.
Both breeds are generally clean dogs that don’t get that “doggy smell” unless they’ve rolled in something questionable. Bath every 6-8 weeks unless they’ve found a mud puddle. And they will find the mud puddle.
Which Breed Matches Your Active Lifestyle
After years of living with both breeds, here’s my honest take on who should get which dog.
Choose a Border Collie if you:
– Want a dog that feels like a true working partner
– Have one primary handler who’ll do most of the training
– Enjoy structured activities like competitive agility or obedience
– Can provide consistent, high-intensity mental and physical stimulation daily
– Are experienced with high-drive dogs and won’t be rattled by intensity
Choose an Australian Shepherd if you:
– Want a family-oriented adventure dog
– Prefer varied activities over structured competition
– Need a dog with some natural guarding instinct
– Want a slightly more adaptable, social temperament
– Are active but also want a dog that can learn to chill on the couch occasionally
Neither breed is “better.” But one is almost certainly better for you. The australian shepherd vs border collie decision really comes down to whether you want a specialist or a generalist. A laser or a Swiss Army knife.
And whichever you choose — commit to the exercise. These dogs will give you everything they have. They deserve the same in return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Australian Shepherds and Border Collies live in apartments?
It’s possible with an Aussie if you’re genuinely committed to 90+ minutes of outdoor exercise daily plus mental stimulation. I wouldn’t recommend it for a Border Collie. BCs need space to move and tend to develop anxiety in confined environments. A house with a yard — even a small one — makes a real difference for both breeds.
Which breed is better for first-time dog owners?
Honestly? Neither is ideal for a true first-timer. If you’re set on one of these breeds and have limited experience, the Aussie is more forgiving. They’re slightly less intense and more naturally social. But please, take a training class before your puppy comes home. These breeds don’t raise themselves.
Do Border Collies and Australian Shepherds get along with cats?
It depends entirely on the individual dog and early socialization. Both breeds have prey drive and herding instinct that can make cats nervous. I’ve seen it work beautifully with proper introduction and management, and I’ve seen it be a disaster. Raise them together from puppyhood for the best odds. An adult herding dog introduced to a cat requires careful, supervised management — potentially forever.
How much do these breeds cost from a reputable breeder?
Expect $1,500-$3,000 for either breed from a health-tested, reputable breeder. Aussies sometimes run slightly higher. Don’t bargain-hunt for these breeds. Poorly bred herding dogs can have serious temperament and health issues. Ask for hip scores, eye certifications, MDR1 testing results, and epilepsy history in the lines. A good breeder will have all of this ready before you even ask.
Which breed sheds more?
Aussies. It’s not even close. Both shed year-round, but the Aussie’s thicker double coat produces significantly more loose fur, especially during seasonal coat blows in spring and fall. If dog hair on your clothes is a dealbreaker, look at a different breed entirely — because both of these will leave their mark on your wardrobe.
Featured Image Source: Pexels
