A Detailed Comparison of the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Australian Kelpie Versus Kooikerhondje: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje? 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 Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje 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 Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje 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 Australian Kelpie and for the Kooikerhondje. 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 Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje.

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

Australian Kelpie versus Kooikerhondje: Overview

Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje are similar in size. The Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Australian Kelpie 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.

On the other hand, the Kooikerhondje belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Australian Kelpie versus Kooikerhondje: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Kelpie to the Kooikerhondje 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 Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje

Factor Australian Kelpie Kooikerhondje
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Height 15 to 20 inches 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Weight 25 to 46 pounds 20 to 25 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 1/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $500 No Data
Price Range $500 – $500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Kelpie 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 Kooikerhondje. 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 Australian Kelpie is 72 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Kooikerhondje is 70 out of 125.

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

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 Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje

Below is a list of where the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje are most different:

  • Australian Kelpies are very easy to train. However, Kooikerhondjes are not easy to train.

The Similarities Between the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje

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

  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje 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 Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje are very playful.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

Size Comparison of Australian Kelpie versus Kooikerhondje

Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje.

Australian Kelpies weigh 25 to 46 pounds when fully grown. Australian Kelpies are 15 to 20 inches when fully grown.

On the other hand, Kooikerhondjes weigh 20 to 25 pounds when fully grown. Kooikerhondjes are 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

Lifespan of Australian Kelpie versus Kooikerhondje

The lifespan of Australian Kelpies is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Kelpies is 12.5 years.

The lifespan of Kooikerhondjes is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Kooikerhondjes is 13.0 years.

Kooikerhondjes live longer than Australian Kelpies.

Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Kelpie versus Kooikerhondje

Australian Kelpies do not like to be left alone.

Kooikerhondjes do not like to be left alone.

Do Australian Kelpies shed more than Kooikerhondjes?

Australian Kelpies shed moderately.

Kooikerhondjes shed moderately.

Which one drools more, the Australian Kelpie or the Kooikerhondje

Australian Kelpies do have a very low tendency to drool.

Kooikerhondjes do have a very low tendency to drool.

Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Kelpie or the Kooikerhondje?

Australian Kelpies are very easy to groom.

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

Does the Australian Kelpie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kooikerhondje?

Australian Kelpies 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.

Kooikerhondjes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

Do Australian Kelpies Bark and Howl? What about Kooikerhondjes?

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

Kooikerhondjes bark and howl, but not very much.

Can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kooikerhondjes Tolerate Cold Weather?

Australian Kelpies can moderately tolerate cold weather.

Kooikerhondjes can very well tolerate cold weather.

Wanderlust Potential: Australian Kelpie vs. Kooikerhondje

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

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

Can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kooikerhondjes Tolerate Hot Weather?

Australian Kelpies can tolerate hot weather.

Kooikerhondjes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Kelpie or the Kooikerhondje?

Australian Kelpies get along fairly well with other dogs.

Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with other dogs.

Are Australian Kelpies good family dogs? What about Kooikerhondjes?

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

Kooikerhondjes are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

How Kid-friendly are Australian Kelpies and Kooikerhondjes?

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

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

Is the Australian Kelpie Easier to Train than the Kooikerhondje?

Australian Kelpies are very easy to train.

Kooikerhondjes are not easy to train.

Is the Australian Kelpie Better for Apartment Owners than the Kooikerhondje?

Australian Kelpies do not adapt well to apartment living.

Kooikerhondjes adapt very well to apartment living.

Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Kelpie or the Kooikerhondje?

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

Kooikerhondjes are OK for new dog owners.

Conclusion: Australian Kelpie versus Kooikerhondje. 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 Australian Kelpie and the Kooikerhondje better suits you and your family.