Is the Australian Shepherd Better than the Catahoula Leopard Dog as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Australian Shepherd Versus Catahoula Leopard Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog? 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 Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard 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 Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard 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 Australian Shepherd and for the Catahoula Leopard Dog. 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 Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog.

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

Australian Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog are Herding Dogs. This means both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog 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.

Australian Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Catahoula Leopard 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.

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

Factor Australian Shepherd Catahoula Leopard Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Height 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Weight 40 to 65 pounds 50 to 90 pounds
Easygoing 1/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 1/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1210 $580
Price Range $800 – $1500 $350 – $700
Temperament Score 82.2 percent 78.6 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd 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 Catahoula Leopard 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 the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Catahoula Leopard Dog is 70 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Catahoula Leopard Dog is not better or worse than the Australian Shepherd. So, you can get the Catahoula Leopard Dog or 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 Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog

    Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog are most different:

    • Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Catahoula Leopard Dogs are very easy to groom.
    • Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Catahoula Leopard Dogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Australian Shepherds 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. However, Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
    • Australian Shepherds get along well with other dogs. However, Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Australian Shepherds are very easy to train. However, Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not easy to train.
    • Australian Shepherds are very playful. However, Catahoula Leopard Dogs not very playful.

    The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog

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

    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    Size Comparison of Australian Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog.

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

    On the other hand, Catahoula Leopard Dogs weigh 50 to 90 pounds when fully grown. Catahoula Leopard Dogs are 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog

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

    The lifespan of Catahoula Leopard Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Catahoula Leopard Dogs is 12.0 years.

    Australian Shepherds live longer than Catahoula Leopard Dogs.

    Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Catahoula Leopard Dog

    The Australian Shepherd has a better temperament than the Catahoula Leopard Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 percent while the temperament score for the Catahoula Leopard Dog is 78.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 78.6 percent, the Catahoula Leopard Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 14 Catahoula Leopard Dogs.

    Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Catahoula Leopard Dog

    The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1210. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1764 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Catahoula Leopard Dog puppy is $580. The price of the Catahoula Leopard Dog typically ranges from $350 – $700. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 137 Catahoula Leopard Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Australian Shepherd is more expensive than the Catahoula Leopard Dog.

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Catahoula Leopard Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Catahoula Leopard Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Catahoula Leopard 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog

    Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Catahoula Leopard Dogs?

    Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Catahoula Leopard Dog

    Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Catahoula Leopard Dog?

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

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Catahoula Leopard Dog?

    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.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Catahoula Leopard Dogs?

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

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Catahoula Leopard Dog

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

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

    Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Catahoula Leopard Dogs?

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

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Catahoula Leopard Dogs?

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

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Catahoula Leopard Dog?

    Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not easy to train.

    Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Catahoula Leopard Dog?

    Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard 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 Australian Shepherd and the Catahoula Leopard Dog better suits you and your family.