Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Lowchen: Introduction
- Collie versus Lowchen: Overview
- Collie versus Lowchen: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Lowchen
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Lowchen
- Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Lowchen
- Lifespan of Collie versus Lowchen
- Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Collie
- Price of Collie versus Price of Lowchen
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Lowchen
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Lowchen
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Lowchen
- Do Collies shed more than Lowchens?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Lowchen
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Lowchen?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Lowchens?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Lowchen
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Lowchen?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Lowchens?
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Lowchens?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Lowchen?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Collie
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lowchen
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Collie versus Lowchen. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Lowchen: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Lowchen? 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Lowchen 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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen.
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 Lowchen.
Collie versus Lowchen: Overview
A very important difference between the Collie and the Lowchen is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Lowchen is a tiny-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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen
| Factor | Collie | Lowchen |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 13 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 | 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 9 to 18 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $2870 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $1642 – $4500 |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 75.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 163 |
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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lowchen is a better pet than the Collie. So, you should get the Lowchen!
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 Lowchen so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Lowchen
Below is a list of where the Collie and the Lowchen are most different:
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Lowchen
The Collie and the Lowchen are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Lowchen are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Lowchen
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Lowchen.
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, Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Collie versus Lowchen
The lifespan of Collies is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Collies is 12.0 years.
The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.
Lowchens live longer than Collies.
Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Collie
The Collie has a better temperament than the Lowchen.
This is because the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 12 Lowchens.
Price of Collie versus Price of Lowchen
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 Lowchen puppy is $2870. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $1642 – $4500. However, the price of the Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 7 Lowchen puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Lowchen is more expensive than the Collie.
`| Collie | Lowchen | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $2870 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $1642 to $4500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Lowchen. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Lowchen 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 Lowchens
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Lowchen 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 Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Lowchen
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 Lowchen over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Collie
Popularity of Lowchen
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Lowchen Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 154 |
| 2014 | 36 | 165 |
| 2015 | 36 | 161 |
| 2016 | 37 | 171 |
| 2017 | 40 | 169 |
| 2018 | 38 | 168 |
| 2019 | 38 | 158 |
| 2020 | 40 | 161 |
Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Lowchen
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 Lowchen 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 Collie is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lowchen.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Collie than for the Lowchen.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 3 tests are recommended for the Lowchen.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Lowchens.
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.
Lowchen Health Problems
Lowchens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lowchen 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 Lowchen puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lowchen 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 Lowchens for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Lowchens
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 Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Lowchens, and how common these diseases are in Lowchens relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Collie and in Lowchen and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Lowchen:
`| Disease | Collie Rank | Lowchen Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 1 out of 182 dog breeds | 42 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 | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 107 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 182 out of 198 dog breeds | 163 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 19 out of 145 dog breeds |
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 Lowchen
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Lowchens do not like to be left alone.
Do Collies shed more than Lowchens?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Lowchens shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Lowchen
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Lowchen?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?
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.
Lowchens 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 Lowchens?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Lowchens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Lowchen
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Lowchens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Lowchen?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Lowchens?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Lowchens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Lowchens?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Lowchen?
Collies are very easy to train.
Lowchens are very easy to train.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Lowchen?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Lowchen?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Lowchens 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 Lowchen
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Collie and how the Lowchen compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Collie and of the Lowchen to other breeds:
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
Collie versus Greyhound Collie versus Korean Jindo Dog Collie versus Irish Setter Collie versus Black and Tan Coonhound Collie versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Collie versus French Bulldog Collie versus Great Pyrenees Collie versus Swedish Vallhund Collie versus Miniature Schnauzer Collie versus Ibizan Hound Collie versus Pointer Collie versus Dutch Shepherd Collie versus Bernedoodle Collie versus Lagotto Romagnolo Collie versus Affenhuahua Collie versus Whoodle Collie versus Toy Poodle Collie versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Collie versus Standard Poodle Collie versus Border Collie Collie versus Boxer Collie versus Sealyham Terrier Collie versus Great Dane Collie versus Havanese Collie versus MalteseLowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds
Lowchen versus Shiranian Lowchen versus Basset Hound Lowchen versus Tibetan Mastiff Lowchen versus Frenchton Lowchen versus Catahoula Bulldog Lowchen versus Kai Ken Lowchen versus Goldendoodle Lowchen versus German Pinscher Lowchen versus Dachshund Lowchen versus Tibetan Terrier Lowchen versus English Toy Spaniel Lowchen versus Bernedoodle Lowchen versus Yorkipoo Lowchen versus Puggle Lowchen versus English Cocker Spaniel Lowchen versus Norwegian Buhund Lowchen versus Tibetan Spaniel Lowchen versus American Water Spaniel Lowchen versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Lowchen versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Lowchen versus Saint Berdoodle Lowchen versus Goldendoodle Lowchen versus Shiba Inu Lowchen versus German Longhaired Pointer Lowchen versus MastiffConclusion: Collie versus Lowchen. 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 Lowchen better suits you and your family.