Border Collie vs German Shepherd Dog
Compare Border Collie and German Shepherd Dog side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Border Collie
German Shepherd Dog
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
52 – 53 cm
61 – 65 cm
Weight
12 – 20 kg
33 – 37 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 15 years
9 – 13 years
Child friendly
3/5
4/5
Energy level
4/5
4/5
Intelligence
5/5
3/5
Trainability
5/5
4/5
Health
3/5
4/5
Grooming needs
3/5
3/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
5/5
4/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
4/5
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Characteristics
Border Collie
High energy
Super smart
Easy to train
Medium
German Shepherd Dog
Great with kids
High energy
Protective
Easy to train
Large
Summary
About Border Collie
The Border Collie is a medium, athletic herding dog known for intense focus, high intelligence and very high energy. Developed to work sheep all day, it excels in herding, sports and training. It needs plenty of exercise, mental stimulation and structured guidance in an active home.
About German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog is a medium‑large, athletic working breed, highly intelligent and trainable. Loyal and naturally protective, it needs extensive daily mental and physical exercise. It has a double coat with notable shedding and is widely used in police, military, and search and rescue roles.
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