Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Comparison - Dog breed selector: Sheepdog or Alsatian wolf dog or Carriage Dog? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian" Compare Border Collie and German Shepherd. Which is better: Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Border Collie	German Shepherd	Dalmatian
Origins	England Scotland Wales	Germany	Croatia
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Companion Dogs
Popularity Rank	38	2	63
Reviews	13	19	1
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Sheepdog Scotch Sheep Dog	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	Carriage Dog Dally Firehouse Dog Plum Pudding Dog Spotted Coach Dog Dal
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian? Which is the smallest dog, Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian?	Large	Large	Large
Weight Which is heavier, Border Collie or German Shepherd or German Shepherd? Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian weight comparison:	Male: 30-45 pounds (14-20 kg), Female: 27-42 pounds (12-19 kg)	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)	about 55 pounds (25 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 37.5 pounds (17 kg), Female: 34.5 pounds (15.5 kg)	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)	about 55 pounds (25 kg)
Height Which is taller, Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian? Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian height comparison:	Male: 19-22 inches (48-56 cm), Female: 18-21 inches (46-53 cm)	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)	Male: 22 - 24 inches (50 – 60 cm), Female: 20 - 22 inches (50 - 55 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 20.5 inches (52 cm), Female: 19.5 inches (49.5 cm)	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)	Male: 22 - 24 inches (50 – 60 cm), Female: 20 - 22 inches (50 - 55 cm)

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian? Which is more expensive?	$600-$800	$800-$2000	$500-$600
Availability Which is easier to get, Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian?	Very frequent: The Border Collie is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Dalmatian is quite easy to get.

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian intelligence:	Outstanding: Border Collie is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Smart: The Dalmatian dogs have great intelligence. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian trainability comparison.	Border Collie dogs are easy to train. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.	Dalmatian dogs are quite easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian?	Border Collie dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Dalmatian dogs are average watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Border Collie dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Dalmatian dogs are average defenders. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian? Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian behavior/temperament comparison:	Energetic Protective Alert Intelligent Responsive Loyal Tenacious	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful	Active Playful Energetic Sensitive Intelligent Friendly Outgoing
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Sensitive: Border Collie dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian?	High: Border Collie dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: Dalmatian dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian social needs comparison:	Border Collie dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Dalmatian dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Border Collie dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Dalmatian is strong enough to escape from home. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Border Collie dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Dalmatian dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian playfulness comparison:	The Border Collie is a highly playful breed. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The Dalmatian is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian?	Low to Average: The Border Collie rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Average: The Dalmatian barks occasionally. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian?	It is not recommended to keep the Border Collie breed in the home.	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors.	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Dalmatian breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Border Collie dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Dalmatian dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian?	Border Collie dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Dalmatian dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Border Collie bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Dalmatian bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Low 🔽 The Border Collie has a low chance of biting somebody.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Dalmatian has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian mouthiness comparison:	Border Collie dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Dalmatian dogs have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian health comparison. Which is the healthier: Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian?	The Border Collie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.	Dalmatians are commonly healthy dogs.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian health problems comparison:	Hip Dysplasia Allergies Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Collie Eye Anomaly Osteochondrosis Dissecans	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo	Hip Dysplasia Allergies Deafness Skin Allergies Iris Sphincter Dysplasia Urolithiasis
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Average The Border Collie should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Rare The Dalmatian should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian lifespan comparison. How long do Border Collie, German Shepherd and Dalmatian breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	11-15 years The average lifespan of Border Collie: 13 years	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years	12-14 years The average lifespan of Dalmatian: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian?	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Border Collie can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian? Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian energy level comparison:	Border Collie dogs are high-energy dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Dalmatian dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Border Collie dogs need a lot of exercises.	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Dalmatian dogs need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian?	Border Collie dogs don't need too much sleep.	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Dalmatian dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian?	1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two or three meals.	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	Recommended daily amount: 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian weight gain potential comparison:	Average: The Border Collie has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Dalmatian's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian coat comparison:	Dense Feathered Straight Short Moderately Long	Fuzzy	Fine
Colors What are the original Border Collie, German Shepherd and Dalmatian color?	Black Tan Red Sable Brindle Lilac Gold Seal White & Red Slate Sable Merle Black & White Tricolor Blue merle Blue merle-tricolor Slate merle Red merle Saddleback Sable White & Blue White & Blue Merle White & Red Merle White Ticked White & Gold White & Sable White & Seal	Black Tan Red Silver	Black White Brown Liver
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian? Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian grooming comparison:	Average: The Border Collie requires average grooming effort. See more.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Effortless: The Dalmatian requires minimal grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian? Border Collie or German Shepherd or {name3 shedding:	Border Collie dogs shed moderately. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Dalmatian dogs are heavy shedders. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian?	6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.
Hypoallergenic Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian?	Medium ⏺ The Border Collie has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Low 🔽 The Dalmatian has a low chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Border Collie is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Dalmatian is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Border Collie dogs are generally with other pets.	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Dalmatian dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian? Which dog is more friendly?	Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	Dalmatian dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian?	Border Collie dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Dalmatian dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian?	Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards cats.	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Dalmatian dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian?	Border Collie dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Dalmatian dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian?	Yes Border Collie dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Dalmatian dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Border Collie is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Dalmatian is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Border Collies are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Dalmatians are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Border Collie or German Shepherd or Dalmatian? Which is better for autism?	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Which one could be a search and rescue dog?	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian?	Not really Border Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Dalmatian breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Fighting Dog / Military Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can Border Collie and German Shepherd and Dalmatian have?	4-8 puppies	6-10 puppies	6-9 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 as a Non-Sporting breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Recognized by FCI in the Scent hounds and related breeds group, in the Related breeds section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club The American Int. Border Collie Registry The American Border Collie Association	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club German Shepherd Dog Club Of America	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club

Popular Dog Compares

Despite the best intentions, there may be errors. If you find one, please let us know and we will fix it as soon as possible. Contact us here.

Rate This Comparsion - Border Collie vs German Shepherd vs Dalmatian

Reviews