Breed Comparison: Collie Versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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Collie Versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

Collie versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Overview

Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are similar in size. The Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are Herding Dogs. This means both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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.

Collie versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Collie to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog

FactorColliePolish Lowland Sheepdog
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/53/5
Life Span10 to 14 years10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/53/5
Easy To Groom2/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Height22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/54/5
General Health3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/52/5
Good For Novice Owners4/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Dog Friendly4/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/53/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Low Prey Drive2/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Does NOT Shed1/55/5
Weight50 to 70 pounds35 to 55 pounds
Average Lifespan12.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$1480No Data
Price Range$1000 – $1800No Data
Temperament Score80.8 percent54.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds37169

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 84 out of 125.

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

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are most different:

  • Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

  • Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    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, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Collie versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

    The lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is 11.0 years.

    Collies live longer than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    Temperament of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus the Collie

    The Collie has a better temperament than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 percent while the temperament score for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 54.5 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 54.5 percent, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 11 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 169 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Collie

    Popularity of Collie

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    `
    Year Collie Popularity Rank Polish Lowland Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 35 157
    2014 36 170
    2015 36 164
    2016 37 169
    2017 40 176
    2018 38 170
    2019 38 173
    2020 40 175

    Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Collie than for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 2 tests are recommended for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    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:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies here.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog Health Problems

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Polish Lowland Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs

    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:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly problems: Rank 1 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 1 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 1 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 13 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 16 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 65 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 107 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 182 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog Breed is Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Polish Lowland Sheepdog ranks 1 out of 8 dog breeds for Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 341 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, 60 of them had Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Polish Lowland Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 1 out of 8 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 60 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 106 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 116 out of 144 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Collie and in Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog:

    `
    Disease Collie Rank Polish Lowland Sheepdog Rank
    Collie Eye Anomaly problems 1 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 1 out of 182 dog breeds 106 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 116 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 182 out of 198 dog breeds 60 out of 198 dog breeds
    Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems Not Common 1 out of 8 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Collies do not like to be left alone.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Collies shed more than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Collie or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    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.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Collies good family dogs? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Collies and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Collies are very easy to train.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Collies are very good for new dog owners.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Keeshond.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog:

  • Barbet (83 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Collie vs Barbet.
  • Bernedoodle (79 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Collie vs Bernedoodle.
  • Miniature Schnauzer (79 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Collie vs Miniature Schnauzer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Collie versus Field Spaniel     Collie versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Collie versus Irish Wolfhound     Collie versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Collie versus Beagle     Collie versus Cavachon     Collie versus Border Terrier     Collie versus Border Terrier     Collie versus Belgian Malinois     Collie versus Black Mouth Cur     Collie versus Australian Cattle Dog     Collie versus Schipperke     Collie versus Boston Terrier     Collie versus Goldador     Collie versus Dachshund     Collie versus Clumber Spaniel     Collie versus Belgian Sheepdog     Collie versus Siberian Husky     Collie versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Collie versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Collie versus Miniature Pinscher     Collie versus Labradoodle     Collie versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Collie versus Plott     Collie versus Karelian Bear Dog     

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Afghan Hound     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Portuguese Pointer     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Boxer     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Biewer Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Saint Bernard     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Azawakh     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Pointer     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Akbash     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Sloughi     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Silky Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Chi-Poo     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Whippet     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Rottweiler     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bich Poo     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Sloughi     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shiloh Shepherd     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Rottweiler     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Pekingese     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bracco Italiano     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Lancashire Heeler     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Havanese     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Papipoo     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     

    Conclusion: Collie versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.