English Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd - Dog Corner (2024)

English Shepherd vs. Australian Shepherd? There are a lot of differences between English and Australian Shepherds. Yes, they look similar, but they are not the same. You may get confused sometimes. That’s why you need to know all about English Shepherd vs. Australian Shepherd. Below, we are going to explain all of the facts you need to know.

English Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd

History Of The Two Breeds

These two breeds have the same ancestor, and they are very similar in terms of genetics and behavior. But, they had different histories and this is the first thing we are going to explain in our English shepherd vs Australian shepherd comparison.

English shepherds come from America, despite the name and the fact that most people believe they came from the UK. Settlers brought their dogs with them to the new world, and they bred them as fast and energetic herding dogs. The English shepherd was born, and it was the ideal dog for the purpose. These dogs were used as watchdogs as well.

The Australian shepherd comes from the Border collie, which comes from America as well. In reality, there are no a lot of links with Australia. These are also herding dogs and were used for this purpose. However, they were not used as watchdogs.

Distinguishing The Two Dog Breeds

Distinguishing the two breeds may be almost impossible for some and very easy for others. Anyway, you need to know a few main differences that are present so you can tell which breed is in question. The main one and the easiest that can be used is the tail. English shepherds always have a tail while some Australian shepherds don’t have a tail. They are born without a tail.

The color of the coat is the second main difference. Australian shepherds have three colors or have a merle coat. English shepherd has only 2 colors of the coat. If you see a dog that has more than 2 colors on the coat, it is an Australian shepherd. In addition, Australian shepherds have a softer and thicker coat while English shepherds have a thicker.

The Size Difference

Despite the fact that these two dog breeds are very similar, the size difference is present. We can see that Australian shepherds are slightly bigger. For example, these can reach 50-65 pounds, male dogs while females will be 40-55 pounds of weight. English shepherds will be around 45–60 pounds (male), while female dogs will reach 40–50 pounds. Among both dog breeds, female dogs are always smaller and lighter.

The difference in height is present as well. English shepherds will be around 20 inches tall (male), while female dogs will be around 18 inches. On the other side, Australian shepherds are 21 inches for males and 19.5 inches for females.

Although present, the size and height differences are minimal, and you would have to be an expert in order to tell which dog is bigger. As you were able to see, the size difference is very small, and only a trained eye can distinguish these two dog breeds.

The Cost Difference

When we are revealing all the differences between two dog breeds, we must explain the cost.

In general, both of these breeds have a similar price, and it will depend on where you found your pet and at what time. But Australian shepherds are more common, and there are more puppies out there. That’s why they are more affordable. All of this means that English shepherds are harder to come by, and you may have to travel a bit to find one.

English shepherds east less and they are leaner more than Australian dog. This can be one of the differences and one of the main advantages if you are considering your new friend.

The bottom line is that there are no massive differences in a piece, and you are free to choose the breed you like. Both of these dogs are great companions, and they have tonnes of energy, like many herding dogs. If you want a dog breed to play with all the time, one of these two is definitely a smart choice.

The health is fine in both breeds. But English shepherds are a bit more “fragile.” They have more sensitive eyes, which are prone to various infections and will need expensive treatment. Other health issues are not common. But Australian shepherds are generally healthier, and they don’t have problems with their eyes. When it comes to lifespan, both of these dog breeds can live between 12 and 15 years.

Temperament Differences

The differences in temperament are present, and we obviously must explain these as well. At first sight, both dog breeds are similar, and they were bred for herding. But their temperaments are not the same.

English shepherds are true working dogs, and they are very responsible and can be used for countless purposes. They want to play, but they also want to work. Australian shepherds are similar, but they are more focused on playing than on the actual job. In general, both of these breeds are ideal for use on a farm or by families with large yards.

English shepherds are ideal to be used as watchdogs. They will alert you when needed, and they are fine with children. But they are better with other animals than with small children. Australian shepherds are different. They can be used as watchdogs, but you will have to train them first. They are great with children, though, and there is no need to train them or anything. However, they are not as ideal for protecting the family as English shepherds are.

The Conclusion

The English shepherd vs. Australian shepherd comparison is definitely an interesting one. As you can see, these two dog breeds are similar but different as well. Now you know all the man differences between these two and you can pick a breed that is more suitable for you. Even if you don’t want to adopt one of these dogs, you can tell a difference when you see them at a park. This is not something all people can do!

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