Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Keeshond: Introduction
- Collie versus Keeshond: Overview
- Collie versus Keeshond: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Keeshond
- Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Keeshond
- Lifespan of Collie versus Keeshond
- Temperament of the Collie Versus the Keeshond
- Price of Collie versus Price of Keeshond
- The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Keeshond
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Keeshond
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Keeshond
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Keeshond
- Do Collies shed more than Keeshonds?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Keeshond
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Keeshond?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Keeshond?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Keeshonds?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Keeshonds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Keeshond
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Keeshonds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Keeshond?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Keeshonds?
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Keeshonds?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Keeshond?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Collie
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Keeshond
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Collie versus Keeshond. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Keeshond: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Keeshond? 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 Collie and the Keeshond 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 Keeshond.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Keeshond 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 Keeshond. 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 Collie and the Keeshond.
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 Keeshond.
Collie versus Keeshond: Overview
Both the Collie and the Keeshond are similar in size. The Collie and the Keeshond are both medium-sized dogs.
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 Keeshond 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.
Collie versus Keeshond: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie to the Keeshond 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 Collie and the Keeshond
Factor | Collie | Keeshond |
---|---|---|
Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s |
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
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 | 3/5 |
Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 1/5 |
Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 35 to 45 pounds |
Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.5 years |
Average Price | $1480 | $1680 |
Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $1250 – $1850 |
Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 81.6 percent |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
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Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 89 |
Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 16 | 16 |
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 Keeshond. 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 Collie is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Keeshond is 83 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Keeshond is not better or worse than the Collie. So, you can get the Keeshond or 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 Keeshond so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Keeshond
The Collie and the Keeshond are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Keeshond are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Keeshond
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Keeshond.
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, Keeshonds weigh 35 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Keeshonds are 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s when fully grown.
Lifespan of Collie versus Keeshond
The lifespan of Collies is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Collies is 12.0 years.
The lifespan of Keeshonds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Keeshonds is 13.5 years.
Keeshonds live longer than Collies.
Temperament of the Collie Versus the Keeshond
The Keeshond has a better temperament than the Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Keeshond is 81.6 percent while the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Collie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 81.6 percent, the Keeshond has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Keeshond by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 87 Keeshonds.
Price of Collie versus Price of Keeshond
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 Keeshond puppy is $1680. The price of the Keeshond typically ranges from $1250 – $1850. However, the price of the Keeshond can be as low as $600 and as high as $5750. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 51 Keeshond puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Keeshond is more expensive than the Collie.
Collie | Keeshond | |
---|---|---|
Average Price | $1480 | $1680 |
Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $1250 to $1850 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Keeshond. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Keeshond 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 Keeshonds
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Keeshond 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.
The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Keeshond
Collie | Keeshond | |
---|---|---|
Intelligence Rank | 16 out of 130 dog breeds | 16 out of 130 dog breeds |
Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Collie has an obedience intelligence rank of 16 out of 130 dog breeds. The Collie belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Collies tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Keeshond has an obedience intelligence rank of 16 out of 130 dog breeds. The Keeshond belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Keeshonds tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Collie and the Keeshond are of the same intelligence.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Keeshond
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 Collie and the Keeshond over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Keeshond. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Collie is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Keeshond is 89 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Collie
Popularity of Keeshond
Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Keeshond Popularity Rank |
---|---|---|
2013 | 35 | 86 |
2014 | 36 | 87 |
2015 | 36 | 84 |
2016 | 37 | 92 |
2017 | 40 | 87 |
2018 | 38 | 95 |
2019 | 38 | 88 |
2020 | 40 | 96 |
Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Keeshond
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Collie and the Keeshond 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 Keeshond is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Collie.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 4 tests are recommended for the Keeshond.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Keeshonds.
Collie Health Problems
Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Collie 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 Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Collie 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 Collies for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies here.
Keeshond Health Problems
Keeshonds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Keeshond 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 Keeshond puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Keeshond 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 Keeshonds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Keeshonds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Keeshonds
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Collie Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
This is because the Collie ranks 1 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 114 Collies, 16 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Collies, and how common these diseases are in Collies relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Keeshond Breed is Primary Hyperparathyroidism problems.
This is because the Keeshond ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Primary Hyperparathyroidism problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 457 Keeshonds, 10 of them had Primary Hyperparathyroidism problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Keeshonds, and how common these diseases are in Keeshonds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Collie and in Keeshond and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Keeshond:
Disease | Collie Rank | Keeshond Rank |
---|---|---|
Collie Eye Anomaly problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
Eyes problems | 1 out of 182 dog breeds | 107 out of 182 dog breeds |
Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
Dentition Database problems | 13 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 16 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
Thyroid problems | 65 out of 115 dog breeds | 47 out of 115 dog breeds |
Elbow problems | 107 out of 144 dog breeds | 47 out of 144 dog breeds |
Hips problems | 182 out of 198 dog breeds | 146 out of 198 dog breeds |
Primary Hyperparathyroidism problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
Patella problems | Not Common | 63 out of 145 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Keeshond
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Keeshonds do not like to be left alone.
Do Collies shed more than Keeshonds?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Keeshonds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Keeshond
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Keeshonds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Keeshond?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Keeshonds are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Keeshond?
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.
Keeshonds have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Keeshonds?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Keeshonds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Keeshonds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Keeshonds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Keeshond
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Keeshonds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Keeshonds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Keeshonds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Keeshond?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Keeshonds get along very well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Keeshonds?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Keeshonds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Keeshonds?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Keeshonds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Keeshond?
Collies are very easy to train.
Keeshonds are very easy to train.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Keeshond?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Keeshonds adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Keeshond?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Keeshonds are very good for new dog owners.
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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Keeshond
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Keeshond 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 Keeshond:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Collie and how the Keeshond compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Collie and of the Keeshond to other breeds:
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
Collie versus Maltese Collie versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Collie versus American Staffordshire Terrier Collie versus Kai Ken Collie versus Estrela Mountain Dog Collie versus Dogo Argentino Collie versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Collie versus Belgian Malinois Collie versus Kai Ken Collie versus Belgian Tervuren Collie versus Fila Brasileiro Collie versus Portuguese Pointer Collie versus Shiba Inu Collie versus Bulldog Collie versus Briard Collie versus Saint Berdoodle Collie versus Tibetan Terrier Collie versus Harrier Collie versus Belgian Malinois Collie versus French Spaniel Collie versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Collie versus American Hairless Terrier Collie versus Morkie Collie versus Flat-Coated Retriever Collie versus Bullmastiff
Keeshond Versus Other Dog Breeds
Keeshond versus Kishu Ken Keeshond versus Skye Terrier Keeshond versus Valley Bulldog Keeshond versus Westiepoo Keeshond versus Akita Chow Keeshond versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Keeshond versus Bouvier des Flandres Keeshond versus Miniature Poodle Keeshond versus Coton de Tulear Keeshond versus Border Terrier Keeshond versus American Eskimo Dog Keeshond versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Keeshond versus Havanese Keeshond versus Afador Keeshond versus German Longhaired Pointer Keeshond versus Shichon Keeshond versus Toy Poodle Keeshond versus Black Russian Terrier Keeshond versus Cocker Spaniel Keeshond versus Basset Hound Keeshond versus Karelian Bear Dog Keeshond versus Shihpoo Keeshond versus Bolognese Keeshond versus Great Pyrenees Keeshond versus Valley Bulldog
Conclusion: Collie versus Keeshond. 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 Keeshond better suits you and your family.