Which is Better between the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog? A Very Detailed Review.

American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog

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American Eskimo Dog Versus Australian Cattle Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog and for the Australian Cattle Dog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Eskimo Dog or the Australian Cattle Dog

American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog

American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Eskimo Dog is a small-sized dog while the Australian Cattle Dog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Eskimo Dog belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the Australian Cattle Dog 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.

American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Eskimo Dog to the Australian Cattle Dog 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.

Factor American Eskimo Dog Australian Cattle Dog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight Starts at 30 pounds 30 to 50 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1220 $800
Price Range $750 – $1500 $500 – $900
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia (evaluation at two years or older)
  • Eye Examination – Min Age 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • prcd-Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy RCD4
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 118 55

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Eskimo Dog 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 Cattle Dog. 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 a American Eskimo Dog is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Australian Cattle Dog is 76 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the American Eskimo Dog is a better pet than the Australian Cattle Dog. So, you should get the American Eskimo Dog!

    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 American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog

    Below is a list of where the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog are most different:

  • American Eskimo Dogs are good for new dog owners. However, Australian Cattle Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • American Eskimo Dogs adapt well to apartment living. However, Australian Cattle Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog

    The American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog are most similar:

  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog.

    American Eskimo Dogs weigh Starts at 30 pounds when fully grown. American Eskimo Dogs are 15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Australian Cattle Dogs weigh 30 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Australian Cattle Dogs are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of American Eskimo Dog versus Price of Australian Cattle Dog

    The average price of the American Eskimo Dog puppy is $1220. The price of the American Eskimo Dog typically ranges from $750 – $1500. However, the price of a American Eskimo Dog can be as low as $225 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 211 American Eskimo Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Australian Cattle Dog puppy is $800. The price of the Australian Cattle Dog typically ranges from $500 – $900. However, the price of a Australian Cattle Dog can be as low as $100 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1088 Australian Cattle Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The American Eskimo Dog is more expensive than the Australian Cattle Dog.

    American Eskimo Dog Australian Cattle Dog
    Average Price $1220 $800
    Price Range $750 to $1500 $500 to $900

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Eskimo Dog and Australian Cattle Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many American Eskimo Dog puppies or how many Australian Cattle Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Eskimo Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Eskimo Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Cattle Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Cattle Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Eskimo Dog puppy or the Australian Cattle Dog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog

    Adopting the American Eskimo Dog versus Adopting the Australian Cattle Dog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many American Eskimo Dogs and many Australian Cattle Dogs are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male American Eskimo Dog named Marvin that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable American Eskimo Dogs like Marvin on pefinder.com.

    Also, like American Eskimo Dogs, Australian Cattle Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Merlin is a Male Australian Cattle Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Australian Cattle Dogs like Merlin that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Klondike is the name of another American Eskimo Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also Levi, an adorable Male Australian Cattle Dog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    American Eskimo Dogs and Australian Cattle Dogs are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more American Eskimo Dogs and Australian Cattle Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog

    The Popularity of American Eskimo Dog versus Popularity of Australian Cattle Dog

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Cattle Dog is more popular with dog owners than the American Eskimo Dog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Cattle Dog is 55 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the American Eskimo Dog is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of American Eskimo Dog

    Popularity of American Eskimo Dog

    Popularity of Australian Cattle Dog

    Popularity of Australian Cattle Dog

    Year American Eskimo Dog Popularity Rank Australian Cattle Dog Popularity Rank
    2013 110 58
    2014 120 55
    2015 118 56
    2016 122 54
    2017 118 56
    2018 122 55
    2019 120 55
    2020 119 54

    Health Problems of American Eskimo Dog versus Health Problems of Australian Cattle Dog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Australian Cattle Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the American Eskimo Dog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Cattle Dog than for the American Eskimo Dog.

    8 health tests are recommended for American Eskimo Dog while 9 tests are recommended for the Australian Cattle Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Eskimo Dogs and in Australian Cattle Dogs.

    American Eskimo Dog Health Problems

    American Eskimo Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Eskimo Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a American Eskimo Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Eskimo Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen American Eskimo Dogs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Eskimo Dogs here.

    Australian Cattle Dog Health Problems

    Australian Cattle Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Cattle Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Australian Cattle Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Cattle Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Australian Cattle Dogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia (evaluation at two years or older)
  • Eye Examination – Min Age 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • prcd-Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy RCD4
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Cattle Dogs here.

    Which one drools more, the American Eskimo Dog or the Australian Cattle Dog

    American Eskimo Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Australian Cattle Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog

    American Eskimo Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Australian Cattle Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Cattle Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Eskimo Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Australian Cattle Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Eskimo Dog or the Australian Cattle Dog?

    American Eskimo Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

    Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Does the American Eskimo Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Cattle Dog?

    American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Australian Cattle Dogs 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Eskimo Dog vs. Australian Cattle Dog

    American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Eskimo Dog or the Australian Cattle Dog?

    American Eskimo Dogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Australian Cattle Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Do American Eskimo Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Australian Cattle Dogs?

    American Eskimo Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Australian Cattle Dogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Is the American Eskimo Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Australian Cattle Dog?

    American Eskimo Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Australian Cattle Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Cattle Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Eskimo Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Australian Cattle Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Are American Eskimo Dogs good family dogs? What about Australian Cattle Dogs?

    American Eskimo Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Australian Cattle Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Eskimo Dogs and Australian Cattle Dogs?

    American Eskimo Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Australian Cattle Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Eskimo Dog or the Australian Cattle Dog?

    American Eskimo Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Australian Cattle Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Do American Eskimo Dogs shed more than Australian Cattle Dogs?

    American Eskimo Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Australian Cattle Dogs shed moderately.

    Is the American Eskimo Dog Easier to Train than the Australian Cattle Dog?

    American Eskimo Dogs are very easy to train.

    Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to train.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Eskimo Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Australian Cattle Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Australian Cattle Dog:

  • German Wirehaired Pointer (79 percent match with Australian Cattle Dog). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Jack Russell Terrier (78 percent match with Australian Cattle Dog). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs Jack Russell Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Australian Cattle Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Eskimo Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the American Eskimo Dog:

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Australian Cattle Dog vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Keeshond (82 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Australian Cattle Dog vs Keeshond.
  • West Highland White Terrier (81 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Australian Cattle Dog vs West Highland White Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Eskimo Dog and how the Australian Cattle Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Eskimo Dog and of the Australian Cattle Dog to other breeds:

    American Eskimo Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Eskimo Dog versus Dogue de Bordeaux     American Eskimo Dog versus Beagle     American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog     American Eskimo Dog versus Saluki     American Eskimo Dog versus Saint Bernard     American Eskimo Dog versus French Bulldog     American Eskimo Dog versus Puli     American Eskimo Dog versus Doberman Pinscher     American Eskimo Dog versus Ibizan Hound     American Eskimo Dog versus Belgian Sheepdog     

    Australian Cattle Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Australian Cattle Dog versus Sussex Spaniel     Australian Cattle Dog versus German Longhaired Pointer     Australian Cattle Dog versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Australian Cattle Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Australian Cattle Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog     Australian Cattle Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Australian Cattle Dog versus Morkie     Australian Cattle Dog versus Australian Terrier     Australian Cattle Dog versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Australian Cattle Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer     

    Conclusion: American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog. 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 American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog better suits you and your family.