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Welsh Sheepdog vs Border Collie: The Differences (With Pictures)

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By Nicole Cosgrove

The Welsh Sheepdog and Border Collie are two medium-sized, intelligent herding breeds from the British Isles. They share many similarities, including incredible athletic ability, high energy, extraordinary intelligence, and a desire to work. They’re also similar in appearance, with long, fluffy double coats and a range of colors.

Though often confused, the Welsh Sheepdog and Border Collie are two distinct breeds with subtle but important differences—especially if you intend to keep them for true herding purposes. Learn more about the traits these two breeds have in common, what distinguishes them, and how you can choose the best option for your needs.

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Visual Differences

Welsh Sheepdog vs Border Collie - Visual Differences
Image Credit: Left – Welsh Sheepdog (The Other Kev, Pixabay) | Right – Border Collie (ubaru, Shutterstock)

At a Glance

Welsh Sheepdog
  • Average height (adult): 20–22 inches
  • Average weight (adult): 35–55 pounds
  • Lifespan: 12–15 years
  • Exercise: 2+ hours a day
  • Grooming needs: Moderate
  • Family-friendly: Yes
  • Other pet-friendly: Often
  • Trainability: Intelligent, loyal, hard-working
Border Collie
  • Average height (adult): 19–24 inches
  • Average weight (adult): 31–55 pounds
  • Lifespan: 12–15 years
  • Exercise: 2+ hours a day
  • Grooming needs: Moderate
  • Family-friendly: Yes
  • Other pet-friendly: Often
  • Trainability: Intelligent, energetic, playful, demanding

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Welsh Sheepdog Overview

welsh sheepdog lying on grass with a ball toy in its mouth
Image Credit: Wirestock Creators, Shutterstock

The Welsh Sheepdog is a medium-sized herding breed from Wales. Also known as a Welsh Collie, Welsh Sheepdogs are of the Collie-type and are used purely as a working breed rather than a show breed. Because of this, Welsh Sheepdogs are not as well-known as a distinct breed and are often confused with other Collie breeds.

Personality

The Welsh Sheepdog is a dedicated working dog and displays traits like intelligence, loyalty, and diligence. Unlike other herding breeds, the Welsh Sheepdog uses a loose-eyed action to work livestock, which means it doesn’t fixate on the stock the way other breeds do. They’re less “showy” about performing their work duties.

close up of a welsh sheepdog
Image Credit: MaxineA, Shutterstock

Training

The Welsh Sheepdog is intelligent and easy to train, often working well without direct human control. They require a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation, however, and can become challenging or destructive if bored. Welsh Sheepdogs are often good with children and other pets, provided early socialization and training are in place.

Appearance

Because they’re bred specifically for their herding abilities rather than show qualities, Welsh Sheepdogs are less standardized in their size and appearance. They may be black and white, red and white, tricolor, or merle, with a short or long coat and erect ears that are folded at the tip. Size can vary as well, but these dogs are long-legged and broad in the body yet lithe overall.

red and white welsh sheepdog sitting on sand dunes
Image Credit: S Curtis, Shutterstock

Purposes

Welsh Sheepdogs are not a well-known breed, so they’re typically kept for working purposes in Wales and elsewhere. Though they’ve been mostly replaced by the Border Collie, Welsh Sheepdogs are still used for herding sheep, cattle, goats, horses, and pigs. Still, these dogs can make great pets with the right training and exercise.

Suitable for:

Welsh Sheepdogs are highly intelligent, work-motivated dogs that are best suited for dog owners who will invest in positive training, whether for work or companionship. They’re ideal for pet owners with space, such as a farm, homestead, or large yard, rather than a small home or apartment with little outdoor space. If you devote time to mental and physical stimulation, however, the Welsh Sheepdog can make a loyal companion in areas with limited space.

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Border Collie Overview

border collie puppy lying on grass
Image Credit: stevelancaster, Pixabay

The Border Collie is a medium-sized herding breed that descended from landrace sheepdogs in the British Isles. Though specifically used to herd sheep, Border Collies are versatile dogs that can excel at herding other types of livestock or competing in trials and dog sports like agility. They are strong-eyed herders, which means they fixate on their stock and may display “showy” herding traits, such as crouching low to the ground.

Personality

Widely regarded as the most intelligent dog breed, Border Collies are demanding, playful, mischievous, and energetic. They’re suitable for homes with children and other pets, but their strong herding abilities can create problems with ankle-biting and rambunctious behavior.

two border collies hugging in the studio
Image Credit: dezy, Shutterstock

Training

The Border Collie’s intelligence is both a blessing and a curse for training. They’re easy to train and catch on quickly, especially for tricks and commands beyond basic obedience. Conversely, without adequate mental stimulation, that intelligence can turn into destructive behaviors to keep themselves entertained. Along with training a Border Collie for working livestock, they can be easily trained to perform well in various dog sports like sheepdog trials, agility, obedience, and herding competition.

Appearance

According to the breed standard, Border Collies are medium-sized dogs with thick double coats that shed often. Black and white is the most common color combination for Border Collies, but they also appear in liver and white, red, tricolor, merle, brindle, and other patterns.

Dogs from show lines tend to be more homogenous in their appearance, while dogs bred for regular work are more concerned with herding skill and temperament than aesthetics and conformation. Because of their working history, Border Collies are a rare breed that’s allowed scars and broken teeth in the show ring if they’re received during work duties.

border collie at the beach
Image Credit: Pauline Loroy, Unsplash

Purposes

Border Collies are natural herders, whether they’re living on a farm or as companion dogs. They’re suitable for working with all manner of livestock, including sheep, goats, cattle, and horses. These skills translate into other work, however, such as herding or agility competitions.

Suitable For:

Border Collies make great pets for owners who are committed to providing them with adequate exercise and mental stimulation. They require a lot more effort than other dog breeds, however, and can become problematic if they’re in a home that doesn’t meet their training and energy needs. With early socialization, Border Collies can get along well with children and other pets.

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Which Breed Is Right for You?

The Welsh Sheepdog and Border Collie are two similar Collie breeds that have impressive histories as working dogs. They differ in several ways, however, including their approach to working livestock and their breed standards. If you want to bring one of these two intelligent breeds home, it’s important to be prepared for their high-maintenance needs for training, exercise, and mental stimulation.

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Featured Image Credit: Left – ubaru, Shutterstock | Right – Lucia Horvath Photography, Shutterstock

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