A Detailed Comparison of the Afador and the Australian Shepherd.

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Afador Versus Australian Shepherd: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afador and the Australian Shepherd? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Afador and the Australian Shepherd better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afador and the Australian Shepherd is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Afador and for the Australian Shepherd. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Afador and the Australian Shepherd.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Afador or the Australian Shepherd.

Afador versus Australian Shepherd: Overview

A very important difference between the Afador and the Australian Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afador is a large-sized dog while the Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Afador belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

On the other hand, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Afador versus Australian Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Afador to the Australian Shepherd based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Afador and the Australian Shepherd

Factor Afador Australian Shepherd
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 3/5
Easy To Train 1/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Height 20 to 29 inches 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Weight 50 to 75 pounds 40 to 65 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $800 – $1500
Average Price No Data $1210
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Afador in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Australian Shepherd. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Afador is 59 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Afador. So, you should get the Australian Shepherd!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afador and the Australian Shepherd

    Below is a list of where the Afador and the Australian Shepherd are most different:

    • Afadors are not easy to train. However, Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

    The Similarities Between the Afador and the Australian Shepherd

    The Afador and the Australian Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afador and the Australian Shepherd are most similar:

    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Afador and the Australian Shepherd are highly intelligent.

    Size Comparison of Afador versus Australian Shepherd

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afador and the Australian Shepherd.

    Afadors weigh 50 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Afadors are 20 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Australian Shepherds weigh 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Australian Shepherds are 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Afador versus Australian Shepherd

    The lifespan of Afadors is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Afadors is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Australian Shepherds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Shepherds is 13.5 years.

    Australian Shepherds live longer than Afadors.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Afador versus Australian Shepherd

    Afadors can be left alone only for a short time.

    Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Afadors shed more than Australian Shepherds?

    Afadors shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Afador or the Australian Shepherd

    Afadors drool moderately.

    Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Afador or the Australian Shepherd?

    Afadors require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Afador Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Shepherd?

    Afadors have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Afadors Bark and Howl? What about Australian Shepherds?

    Afadors are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Afadors Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Afadors can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Afador vs. Australian Shepherd

    Afadors have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Afadors Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Afadors cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afador or the Australian Shepherd?

    Afadors get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Afadors good family dogs? What about Australian Shepherds?

    Afadors are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Afadors and Australian Shepherds?

    Afadors do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Afador Easier to Train than the Australian Shepherd?

    Afadors are not easy to train.

    Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Is the Afador Better for Apartment Owners than the Australian Shepherd?

    Afadors do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afador or the Australian Shepherd?

    Afadors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Afador versus Australian Shepherd. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Afador and the Australian Shepherd better suits you and your family.