australian-cattle-dog-vs-shetland-sheepdog

Australian Cattle Dog vs Shetland Sheepdog: Breeds Comparison

Trying to decide between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog? Both of these dogs can be similar in some ways but are quite different in many others. Read on and find out which of these popular breeds is the perfect pup for your lifestyle!

Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.

Let's get busy...

Both Australian Cattle Dog and Shetland Sheepdog are members of the Herding Group.

Although these breeds are members of the same breed group, they have some differences and not only similarities so keep reading to learn more.

Australian Cattle Dog vs Shetland Sheepdog Size Comparison

Australian Cattle Dogs are larger, with a typical height of 17 to 20 inches and weight of 30 to 50 pounds, while the typical height of Shetland Sheepdog is 13 to 16 inches and they usually weigh starts at 20 pounds.

We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.

The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.

Australian Cattle Dog Height Visualization Shetland Sheepdog Height Visualization Average American Women Height Visualization Average American Men Height Visualization

Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of Australian Cattle Dog, Shetland Sheepdog, American female, and American male.

Australian Cattle Dog vs Shetland Sheepdog lifespan

No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.

The life expectancy of Australian Cattle Dog and Shetland Sheepdog is the same. Their usual lifespan is 12 to 15 years

Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how Australian Cattle Dog and Shetland Sheepdog compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Breed Name Australian Cattle Dog Australian Cattle Dog Shetland Sheepdog Shetland Sheepdog
Traits
Breed GroupHerding DogsHerding Dogs
Height17 to 20 inches13 to 16 inches
Weight30 to 50 poundsStarts at 20 pounds
Life Span12 to 15 years12 to 15 years

Australian Cattle Dog vs Shetland Sheepdog adaptability

When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.

All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...

Unfortunately, Australian Cattle Dogs and Shetland Sheepdogs don't have a good reputation as good apartment living dogs.

While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how Australian Cattle Dogs and Shetland Sheepdogs tolerate being left alone.

To learn more, read our list of dogs that can be left alone.

Hot weather tolerance

Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.

Speaking of Australian Cattle Dog and Shetland Sheepdog, these breeds tolerate hot weather well, but you still need to be cautious when it's hot.

During warm weather, be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.

Check our heatstroke article on prevention and symptoms to learn more.

What about cold weather?

Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.

Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.

Luckily, both breeds tolarate cold weather well, so while you stick to the rules mentioned above, they should be fine and probably enjoy the cold weather.

Our "How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?" article has more information on this topic.

AdaptabilityAustralian Cattle DogShetland Sheepdog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living
Good For Novice Owners
Sensitivity Level
Tolerates Being Alone
Tolerates Cold Weather
Tolerates Hot Weather

Australian Cattle Dog vs Shetland Sheepdog temperament

It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.

Looking for a perfect family dog?

If you're looking for a companion dog, you won't go wrong with Australian Cattle Dog and Shetland Sheepdog. Their outgoing and friendly personality makes them a great choice for families. Both are highly affectionate with family, they will immediately become a family member.

When it comes to behavior around children, Shetland Sheepdog simply tends to do better.

Australian Cattle Dog will be fine with family, but proper training and socialization are required. On the other hand, Shetland Sheepdog has a reputation of a great family and companion dog.

We've created a list of the 15 best dogs for kids and family, so read it next if this is important for you.

Guarding behavior

Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.

Speaking of friendliness toward strangers, Australian Cattle Dogs and Shetland Sheepdogs are the complete opposite.

While Shetland Sheepdogs are super friendly toward strangers, Australian Cattle Dogs are naturally suspicious toward strangers, so you can expect they will act protective.

All-Around FriendlinessAustralian Cattle DogShetland Sheepdog
Affectionate With Family
Kid-Friendly
Dog Friendly
Friendly Toward Strangers

Health And Grooming Needs

The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.

Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.

Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.

For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.

What about shedding?

One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.

Australian Cattle Dog is a full-fledged fur factory!

Shetland Sheepdog shed less than Australian Cattle Dog do, but don't forget - preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary.

Recommended article: 30 Small Hypoallergenic Dogs That Don’t Shed.

Drooling potential?

Well, we have good news. These breeds have low drooling potential.

Health And Grooming NeedsAustralian Cattle DogShetland Sheepdog
Amount Of Shedding
Drooling Potential
Easy To Groom
General Health
Potential For Weight Gain
Size

Australian Cattle Dog vs Shetland Sheepdog trainability

Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.

These breeds are relatively easy to train and they aren't very stubborn, but you have to be patient. persistence, and consistency play a huge role in successfully training your dog.

TrainabilityAustralian Cattle DogShetland Sheepdog
Easy To Train
Intelligence
Potential For Mouthiness
Prey Drive
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Wanderlust Potential

Do Australian Cattle Dog and Shetland Sheepdog need a lot of physical activity?

To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.

Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.

Both Australian Cattle Dog and Shetland Sheepdog have a high exercise needs. It means they will need at least 30 to 60 minutes of hard aerobic exercise most days of the week, preferably daily. And no, a leashed walk isn't a hard aerobic exercise - think of aerobic exercise as anything that makes your dog pant.

Physical NeedsAustralian Cattle DogShetland Sheepdog
Energy Level
Intensity
Exercise Needs
Potential For Playfulness

Australian Cattle Dog or Shetland Sheepdog: The bottom line

In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from Australian Cattle Dogs and Shetland Sheepdogs.

To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.

Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.

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