r/kelpie

Im specifically looking to compare the following dog breeds. What is it like to own one? How are their energy levels compared to each other? What are their personalities like?  Vocal or not really? Nothing compares to actually going and meeting a bunch of dogs and talking to a bunch of owners to from a breed in order to evaluate if a breed is the right fit for you.

These are the dog breeds I am interested in adopting in the next few years (3-4) once I graduate and get settled into "real life". Im just starting the early phase of research and I feel Most of these dogs from the right lines could fit the life I want to have pretty reasonably. this would be my first adult dog BUT I was the primary caretaker and trainer of my parents current dog for the past 8 years as well as I did dog sports with my grand parents dogs Once they got to the age that they were unable to. I am wanting an agility, dock diving, scent work, and Bikejoring dog as well as a hiking partner.

There are outliers in each breed of course I know a Cattle dog who Is super chill, friendly and not weary of strangers at all and I know  a Aussie That are the opposite.

I have listed the breed clubs for the dog breeds when applicable all breeds are AKC recognized unless otherwise noted.

It is my understanding that all of these dogs tend to be very emotionally intelligent, they all need Jobs and are NOT good for MOST homes, and tend towards being “soft” dogs also if you adopt one of these dogs Be prepared to never go potty alone again.

Border collie- ABCA, USBCHA as well BCSA and "AKC" (side note The politics with the AKC are interesting),  their life is “Work is play” and likes doing what you ask because they do it for themselves. They are extremely high drive, very biddable, The ones I know tend to be very praise or toy motivated (one will purposely do things to make his human laugh). They love to make their humans happy.

Australian Cattle Dogs-ACDCA,  the ones I know are  similar to BC’s in intensity and drive but One of my friends likes to joke that BC’s like to make you laugh ACD’s love to make you cry. They are hard headed and strong willed, and will just walk out of training if your boring them too much or are do repetitive. they also have ALL THE AUDACITY… which makes sense about a dog that is  40 lbs bred to intimidate 1000 lbs cattle.

English Shepherd-  ESC (not AKC recognized), The way I view these guys is that they are between a Aussie and a BC when it comes to intensity, they are a  more relaxed than the BCs I know and are more intense than the Aussies I know they do however tend to stay more relaxed when amped up I’ve found. These guys are incredibly versatile I have friends that have them trained as Gun dogs, Guard dogs, Sports dogs, as well as herders. They tend to be very opinionated and don’t like to work for their human but LOVES to work WITH their humans, they will ignore you if you treat them like idiots and are independent thinkers. 

Australian Shepherd- ASCA, (although sounds like there was similar drama with Aussies and the AKC at in the 90’s) The ones I know are kinda dumb… they alway gave me the vibe of a Lab in a BC’s body…UNTIL I met working line Aussie and my god they are Silly and smart as a whip and excellent herders but also More chill than BC or ES much better off with strange humans and dogs.

Old Time Scotch Collie- SCA (not AKC recognized), I do not have any experience with these dogs however they do sound similar to English shepherds

 

American working Farm collie - AWFCA (not AKC registered), Sounds similar to a English shepherd.

McNab dogs- MNSF (not AKC registered), To me a person who is relatively uneducated on the breed it seems that they are a “sub breed” of border collie although based on Breed relation charts it seems that they are closer to ES or Aussies. 

Rough/Smooth Collies- CCA, Some of the dogs I know don't have any herding instincts but they are dogs from service lines that flunked out of service work for being too friendly and running up to strangers, very trainable Can be very laid back and  a lot better than other breeds I listed with kids. Very good Loud and Deep barkers but don’t bark often (supposedly).

Shetland Sheepdogs-ASSA, I dont have any personal experience with these dogs however… I have heard them described as Goblins High energy, can be Neurotic , Very yappy and always want to be working.

 Koolie -AKCA, (not AKC recognized), I don’t have personal experience but I’ve seen them described as Slimmer and friendlier cattle dogs as well as they tend to switch herding style depending on the situation.  

Australian Kelpie- WK, AKCoA (it seems there is drama with the Kelpie club I can't find their website), I love watching them run across the backs of sheep back it is so entertaining! Ive heard them compares with BC’s but I have also heard them described like this “If you screw up an agility handling sequence with a BC, the dog will think, "What did I do wrong?". If you screw up a handling sequence with a Kelpie, the dog with think, "Fuck you, that was your fault!””

 

One of the Resources I found very helpful for making this list was the Collie museum

Any other breeds I should add to this list? Any info I should add? Did I get my tidbits about the breeds right? What should I change? Any breeds I should add?