A Detailed Comparison of the Collie and the Plott.

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Collie Versus Plott: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Plott 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 Plott. 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 Plott.

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 Plott.

Collie versus Plott: Overview

Both the Collie and the Plott are similar in size. The Collie and the Plott 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 Plott belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Collie versus Plott: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Collie to the Plott 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 Plott

Factor Collie Plott
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
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 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Weight 50 to 70 pounds 40 to 75 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1480 $600
Price Range $1000 – $1800 $480 – $700
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 37 161

    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 Plott. 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 Plott is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Plott. 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 Plott so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Plott

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

  • Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Plotts have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Collies require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Plotts are very easy to groom.
  • Collies are good for new dog owners. However, Plotts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Plotts are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Plotts do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Collie and the Plott

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

  • Both the Collie and the Plott do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Collie and the Plott do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Collie and the Plott get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Collie and the Plott are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Collie and the Plott are very easy to train.
  • Both the Collie and the Plott are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Collie and the Plott have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Collie and the Plott are very playful.
  • Both the Collie and the Plott 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 Collie and the Plott are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Plott

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

    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, Plotts weigh 40 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Plotts are 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Collie versus Plott

    The lifespan of Collies is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Collies is 12.0 years.

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

    Plotts live longer than Collies.

    Price of Collie versus Price of Plott

    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 Plott puppy is $600. The price of the Plott typically ranges from $480 – $700. However, the price of the Plott can be as low as $300 and as high as $800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 17 Plott puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Collie is more expensive than the Plott.

    Collie Plott
    Average Price $1480 $600
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $480 to $700

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Plott. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Plott 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 Plotts

    A breakdown of the prices of Plotts

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

    Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Plott

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Collies and many Plotts are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Collie named Salem that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Collies like Salem on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Collies, Plotts are also available for adoption. For example, Diesel is a Male Plott that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Plotts like Diesel that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Collie and the Plott can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also, Treble is an adorable Male Plott on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Collies and Plotts that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Plott

    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 Plott over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Plott. 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 Plott is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Collie

    Popularity of Collie

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Plott

    Year Collie Popularity Rank Plott Popularity Rank
    2013 35 149
    2014 36 154
    2015 36 149
    2016 37 158
    2017 40 166
    2018 38 171
    2019 38 177
    2020 40 167

    Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Plott

    Collies do not like to be left alone.

    Plotts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Collies shed more than Plotts?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Collie or the Plott

    Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Plott?

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

    Plotts are very easy to groom.

    Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Plott?

    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.

    Plotts 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 Plotts?

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

    Plotts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Plotts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Plott

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

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

    Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Plotts can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    Plotts get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Collies good family dogs? What about Plotts?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Collies and Plotts?

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

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

    Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Plott?

    Collies are very easy to train.

    Plotts are very easy to train.

    Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Plott?

    Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Collies are very good for new dog owners.

    Plotts are not the best dogs 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:

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

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

  • Patterdale Terrier (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Collie vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Collie vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Collie versus Azawakh     Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Collie versus Lowchen     Collie versus English Springer Spaniel     Collie versus Saluki     Collie versus King Shepherd     Collie versus Maremma Sheepdog     Collie versus Karelian Bear Dog     Collie versus Komondor     Collie versus Harrier     Collie versus Pug     Collie versus English Setter     Collie versus Saint Berdoodle     Collie versus Yorkipoo     Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Collie versus Clumber Spaniel     Collie versus Bouvier des Flandres     Collie versus Saluki     Collie versus Standard Schnauzer     Collie versus Pekingese     Collie versus Briard     Collie versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Collie versus Siberian Husky     Collie versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Collie versus Bernese Mountain Dog     

    Plott Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Plott versus West Highland White Terrier     Plott versus Pug     Plott versus Lhasapoo     Plott versus Pointer     Plott versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Plott versus Cockapoo     Plott versus French Bulldog     Plott versus Borzoi     Plott versus Japanese Spitz     Plott versus Ibizan Hound     Plott versus Bichon Frise     Plott versus Pointer     Plott versus Bouvier des Flandres     Plott versus Silky Terrier     Plott versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Plott versus Chinook     Plott versus Mal Shi     Plott versus Bordoodle     Plott versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Plott versus Shiranian     Plott versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Plott versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Plott versus Afador     Plott versus Shiranian     Plott versus Westiepoo     

    Conclusion: Collie versus Plott. 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 Plott better suits you and your family.