Differences and Similarities between the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro.

Collie versus Fila Brasileiro

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Collie Versus Fila Brasileiro: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro? 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 Collie and the Fila Brasileiro 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 Collie and the Fila Brasileiro.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro 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 Collie and for the Fila Brasileiro. 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 Collie and the Fila Brasileiro.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Collie or the Fila Brasileiro

Collie versus Fila Brasileiro: Overview

A very important difference between the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Fila Brasileiro is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Collie 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 Fila Brasileiro belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Collie versus Fila Brasileiro: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Collie to the Fila Brasileiro 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 Collie Fila Brasileiro
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 9 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder 24 to 30 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Weight 50 to 70 pounds 90 to 180 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 10.5 years
Average Price $1480 $1270
Price Range $1000 – $1800 $1000 – $1400
Temperament Score 80.8 percent 78.6 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Collie 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 Fila Brasileiro. 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 Collie is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Fila Brasileiro is 62 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Fila Brasileiro. So, you should get the Collie!

    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 Collie and the Fila Brasileiro so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro

    Below is a list of where the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro are most different:

  • Collies are good for new dog owners. However, Fila Brasileiros are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Collies are very friendly towards strangers. However, Fila Brasileiros are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Fila Brasileiros do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro

    The Collie and the Fila Brasileiro are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro are most similar:

  • Both the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Fila Brasileiro

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro.

    Collies weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Collies are 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Fila Brasileiros weigh 90 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Fila Brasileiros are 24 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Collie Versus the Fila Brasileiro

    The Collie has a better temperament than the Fila Brasileiro.

    This is because the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 percent while the temperament score for the Fila Brasileiro 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 they 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 80.8 percent, the Collie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

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

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Fila Brasileiro by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 14 Fila Brasileiros.

    Price of Collie versus Price of Fila Brasileiro

    The average price of the Collie puppy is $1480. The price of the Collie typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Collie can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 356 Collie puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Fila Brasileiro puppy is $1270. The price of the Fila Brasileiro typically ranges from $1000 – $1400. However, the price of a Fila Brasileiro can be as low as $1000 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 3 Fila Brasileiro puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Collie is more expensive than the Fila Brasileiro.

    Collie Fila Brasileiro
    Average Price $1480 $1270
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $1000 to $1400

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Fila Brasileiro. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Fila Brasileiro puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Fila Brasileiros

    A breakdown of the prices of Fila Brasileiros

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Fila Brasileiro 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.

    Which one drools more, the Collie or the Fila Brasileiro

    Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Fila Brasileiros drool moderately.

    Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Fila Brasileiro

    Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Fila Brasileiro

    Collies do not like to be left alone.

    Fila Brasileiros can be left alone only for a short time.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Fila Brasileiro?

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

    Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom.

    Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Fila Brasileiro?

    Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Fila Brasileiros do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Fila Brasileiros can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Fila Brasileiro?

    Collies are very good for new dog owners.

    Fila Brasileiros are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Fila Brasileiros cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Fila Brasileiro?

    Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs.

    Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Fila Brasileiro?

    Collies are very easy to train.

    Fila Brasileiros are not easy to train.

    Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Fila Brasileiro?

    Collies 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.

    Fila Brasileiros 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 Collies Bark and Howl? What about Fila Brasileiros?

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

    Fila Brasileiros bark and howl, but not very much.

    Are Collies good family dogs? What about Fila Brasileiros?

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

    Fila Brasileiros are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Collies and Fila Brasileiros?

    Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Fila Brasileiros get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Do Collies shed more than Fila Brasileiros?

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

    Fila Brasileiros do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Collie

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Collie 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 Collie:

  • Keeshond (84 percent match with Collie). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Keeshond.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Fila Brasileiro

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro:

  • Afador (75 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Collie vs Afador.
  • Cane Corso (76 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Collie vs Cane Corso.
  • Dogo Argentino (80 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Collie vs Dogo Argentino.
  • Boerboel (78 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Collie vs Boerboel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Collie and how the Fila Brasileiro compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Collie and of the Fila Brasileiro to other breeds:

    Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Collie versus Cane Corso     Collie versus Norwegian Lundehund     Collie versus Dachshund     Collie versus Whoodle     Collie versus American Foxhound     Collie versus Lowchen     Collie versus Pointer     Collie versus Norwich Terrier     Collie versus Japanese Spitz     Collie versus Australian Shepherd     

    Fila Brasileiro Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Fila Brasileiro versus Keeshond     Fila Brasileiro versus Catahoula Bulldog     Fila Brasileiro versus Canaan Dog     Fila Brasileiro versus Field Spaniel     Fila Brasileiro versus Boxerdoodle     Fila Brasileiro versus Miniature Schnauzer     Fila Brasileiro versus Border Terrier     Fila Brasileiro versus Borzoi     Fila Brasileiro versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Fila Brasileiro versus German Shorthaired Pointer     

    Conclusion: Collie versus Fila Brasileiro. 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 Collie and the Fila Brasileiro better suits you and your family.