Quick Links: Table of Contents
- American Eskimo Dog Versus Australian Shepherd: Introduction
- American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Shepherd: Overview
- American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Shepherd: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Shepherd
- The Similarities Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Shepherd
- Size (Weight and Height) of American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Shepherd
- Price of American Eskimo Dog versus Price of Australian Shepherd
- Adopting the American Eskimo Dog versus Adopting the Australian Shepherd
- The Popularity of American Eskimo Dog versus Popularity of Australian Shepherd
- Health Problems of American Eskimo Dog versus Health Problems of Australian Shepherd
- Which one drools more, the American Eskimo Dog or the Australian Shepherd
- Tolerates Being Alone: American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Shepherd
- Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the American Eskimo Dog or the Australian Shepherd?
- Does the American Eskimo Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Shepherd?
- Wanderlust Potential: American Eskimo Dog vs. Australian Shepherd
- Do American Eskimo Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Australian Shepherds?
- Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Are American Eskimo Dogs good family dogs? What about Australian Shepherds?
- How Kid-friendly are American Eskimo Dogs and Australian Shepherds?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Eskimo Dog or the Australian Shepherd?
- Do American Eskimo Dogs shed more than Australian Shepherds?
- Is the American Eskimo Dog Easier to Train than the Australian Shepherd?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Eskimo Dog
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Australian Shepherd
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Shepherd. Which One is a Better Pet?
American Eskimo Dog Versus Australian Shepherd: 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 Shepherd? 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 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 American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Shepherd.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog or the Australian Shepherd
American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Shepherd: Overview
A very important difference between the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Eskimo Dog is a small-sized dog while the Australian Shepherd 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 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.
American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Shepherd: Comparison Table
The table below compares the American Eskimo Dog 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.
| Factor | American Eskimo Dog | Australian Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| 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 | 40 to 65 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1220 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $750 – $1500 | $800 – $1500 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 118 | 16 |
*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 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 a American Eskimo Dog is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the American Eskimo Dog is a better pet than the Australian Shepherd. 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 Shepherd so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Shepherd
Below is a list of where the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Shepherd are most different:
The Similarities Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Shepherd
The American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Shepherd are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Shepherd
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Shepherd.
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 Shepherds weigh 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Australian Shepherds are 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of American Eskimo Dog versus Price of Australian Shepherd
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 Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The American Eskimo Dog is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
| American Eskimo Dog | Australian Shepherd | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1220 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $750 to $1500 | $800 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the American Eskimo Dog and Australian Shepherd. For different price points, the charts show how many American Eskimo Dog puppies or how many Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherds
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Eskimo Dog puppy or the Australian Shepherd 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.
Adopting the American Eskimo Dog versus Adopting the Australian Shepherd
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many American Eskimo Dogs and many Australian Shepherds 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 Vespa that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable American Eskimo Dogs like Vespa on pefinder.com.
Also, like American Eskimo Dogs, Australian Shepherds are also available for adoption. For example, Sam is a Male Australian Shepherd that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Australian Shepherds like Sam that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Klondike is the name of another American Eskimo Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also Luke, an adorable Male Australian Shepherd on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more American Eskimo Dogs and Australian Shepherds that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of American Eskimo Dog versus Popularity of Australian Shepherd
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 Shepherd over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the American Eskimo Dog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 16 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 Australian Shepherd
| Year | American Eskimo Dog Popularity Rank | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 110 | 20 |
| 2014 | 120 | 18 |
| 2015 | 118 | 17 |
| 2016 | 122 | 16 |
| 2017 | 118 | 17 |
| 2018 | 122 | 15 |
| 2019 | 120 | 13 |
| 2020 | 119 | 12 |
Health Problems of American Eskimo Dog versus Health Problems of Australian Shepherd
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 Shepherd 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 American Eskimo Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Australian Shepherd.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Eskimo Dog than for the Australian Shepherd.
8 health tests are recommended for American Eskimo Dog while 7 tests are recommended for the Australian Shepherd.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Eskimo Dogs and in Australian Shepherds.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Eskimo Dogs here.
Australian Shepherd Health Problems
Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd 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 Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd 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 Shepherds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.
Which one drools more, the American Eskimo Dog or the Australian Shepherd
American Eskimo Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: American Eskimo Dog versus Australian Shepherd
American Eskimo Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
American Eskimo Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Which is Easier to Groom, the American Eskimo Dog or the Australian Shepherd?
American Eskimo Dogs are moderately easy to groom.
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the American Eskimo Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Shepherd?
American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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.
Wanderlust Potential: American Eskimo Dog vs. Australian Shepherd
American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Australian Shepherds 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 Shepherd?
American Eskimo Dogs are very good for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Do American Eskimo Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Australian Shepherds?
American Eskimo Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Is the American Eskimo Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Australian Shepherd?
American Eskimo Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
American Eskimo Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Are American Eskimo Dogs good family dogs? What about Australian Shepherds?
American Eskimo Dogs 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 American Eskimo Dogs and Australian Shepherds?
American Eskimo Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Eskimo Dog or the Australian Shepherd?
American Eskimo Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Do American Eskimo Dogs shed more than Australian Shepherds?
American Eskimo Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Is the American Eskimo Dog Easier to Train than the Australian Shepherd?
American Eskimo Dogs are very easy to train.
Australian Shepherds 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 Shepherd 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 Shepherd:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Australian Shepherd
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the American Eskimo Dog and how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Eskimo Dog and of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
American Eskimo Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
American Eskimo Dog versus Pharaoh Hound American Eskimo Dog versus Redbone Coonhound American Eskimo Dog versus Kerry Blue Terrier American Eskimo Dog versus Fila Brasileiro American Eskimo Dog versus Skye Terrier American Eskimo Dog versus German Longhaired Pointer American Eskimo Dog versus King Shepherd American Eskimo Dog versus Komondor American Eskimo Dog versus Basenji
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
Australian Shepherd versus Yorkipoo Australian Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel Australian Shepherd versus Beagle Australian Shepherd versus Spinone Italiano Australian Shepherd versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Australian Shepherd versus Catahoula Bulldog Australian Shepherd versus Labrador Retriever Australian Shepherd versus Mastiff Australian Shepherd versus American Bulldog Australian Shepherd versus Karelian Bear Dog
Conclusion: American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog and the Australian Shepherd better suits you and your family.