A Border Collie or a Beagle may be the best option to add a dog to your family. If you’re trying to decide between a Border Collie and a Beagle, this article will help you make an informed decision.
We’ll compare and contrast the Border Collie with the Beagle across a wide range of criteria, including their intelligence, cost, health, sociability, and more. We will also break down the differences between the Border Collie and the Beagle, so you can make an informed decision no matter your circumstances.
| CHARACTERISTICS | BORDER COLLIE | BEAGLE |
|---|---|---|
| SIZE | Medium | Medium |
| EAR | Erect | Folded |
| TAIL | Sickle | Flagpole |
| COAT TYPE | Dense & straight | Short |
| HAIR LENGTH | Flowing | Short |
| SHEDDING | Moderate | High |
| FRIENDLINESS | Excellent | Average |
| AFFECTIONATE | High | High |
| ACTIVITY LEVEL | Energetic | Highly Energetic |
| TRAINABILITY | Highly trainable | Trainable |
History of Border Collie vs Beagle
To better differentiate the two dog breeds, let us look back to where they came from.
First stop, we have the Border Collie. Dogs of the Border Collie breed were first used to herd sheep in Northumberland, where they were developed. He is renowned for his ability to command the sheep under his care just by fixing them with an intense look. Not until 1915 did people start calling these dogs Border Collies. The goal was to have the dog officially recognized as a distinct breed within the larger category of Collie dogs.
Historically, trials for sheepdogs date back to 1873. The word “Collie,” which originates from the Scottish dialect, alludes to sheepdogs, thus even the dog’s name provides you a hint as to where he came from and what he did for a living. The Border Collie, with his exceptional intellect and herding skills, has emerged as the premier sheep-herding dog in modern times. The American Kennel Club officially acknowledged the Border Collie as a separate breed in October of 1995.
Now, for the Beagles, the Greek hunters in the fifth century BCE reportedly utilized canines of comparable size. The Talbot Hound was a breed developed sometime in the eighth century. William the Conqueror was the one who initially introduced the Talbot Hound to England in the 11th century.
It was discovered that they had a very slow running speed while being utilized in the hunting process. The hunting community bred Talbot Hounds with Grey Hounds to help them out of their predicament and give the offspring a speed boost. Very small in stature, the beagles referred to earlier are sometimes called “pocket beagles.”
The Appearance of Border Collie vs Beagle
Lean, athletic, and muscular are three adjectives that best describe Border Collies. They’re not huge, but their physique conceals a surprising amount of muscle. They have a choice between two styles of double coats, each designed to keep them warm and dry under extreme conditions.
Border Collies have eyes that are almond-shaped and have a characteristically intense gaze, ears that are of medium size and are folded, and long, bushy tails that are situated at a low position.
While Beagles and Foxhounds share a similar appearance, Beagles are slightly smaller. In spite of this, they are physically robust and imposing. The double coat is of medium length and smooth all over the body.
The length of the head is about average, and it has a wide skull as well as a muzzle that is square-shaped. Besides having long, floppy ears, this breed is also characterized by wide-set, dark-colored eyes. Generally speaking, the tail is about average in length.
Size of Border Collie vs Beagl
The Border Collie is a breed of dog that is considered to be of medium size. Male BC can reach a maximum height of 22 inches and a maximum weight of 45 pounds or (20 kilograms). In terms of height and weight, female Borders can reach 21 inches and 42 pounds, respectively.
The breed of Beagle is available in two standard sizes. Others range in height from 13 to 15 inches and weight from 18 to 20 pounds (eight to nine kilograms); the smallest is under 13 inches tall; the heaviest are above 20 pounds (nine kilograms).
Coats & Colors
Border Collie’s double coat that protects them from the elements comes in two varieties. The topcoat is medium in length and density, with a softer undercoat. The most prevalent pattern is black and white, although other patterns such as tan, blue merle, and liver are also conceivable.
The coats of Collies are either rough or smooth that can be coarse or silky as well. The coarse coat may grow up to three-inch-long, while the silky coat s one-inch-long.
A Beagle has a short coat that covers the body. The breed’s short coat comes generally in any hound color. Moreover, their short coat takes very little grooming and only an occasional bath, which makes maintaining their appearance incredibly simple.
Personality & Temperament of Beagle vs Border Collie
Farmers are able to realize a significant amount of success with the assistance of one of the most useful working dog breeds, the Border Collie. If given the opportunity, someone with his boundless energy and stamina would want to labor nonstop. The ideal home for this dog would be one where the humans are just as active and hardworking as he is. With the appropriate people at home, he blossoms into a loving companion and devoted member of the family.
Because of his exceptionally high intelligence, as well as his sensitivity to his owner’s wishes, he always does exactly what he is told. You can ensure that your great pet remains a loyal companion for as long as possible by showering him with affection, paying close attention to him, and providing him with plenty of stimulating activities.
In terms of the Beagle, the best thing about them is that they make wonderful playmates for kids. Spending time with kids is a favorite pastime for them. Moreover, due to the fact that they possess millions of scent receptors, you will frequently see them around airports and other crucial locations in the military. Additionally, they’re enthusiastic rodent hunters.
Apartment life suits them just well, but prolonged isolation isn’t something they thrive in. Isolating them in the backyard for too long will cause them to become destructive (bark, dig a pit, or attempt to escape). Hotter temperatures are preferred by Beagle.
Family and Beagle vs Border Collie
Beagles make wonderful family pets due to their sociable and outgoing natures. Nevertheless, it is important to keep an eye on them if they are around young children because they may be rowdy.
Border Collies, on the other hand, are popular as pets because of their high energy levels, but they need a lot of attention and activity so they don’t get into mischief.
Kids and Beagle vs Border Collie
Beagles tend to form strong bonds with every member of the household, particularly with the children. However, they need to be socialized and monitored when around very young children because they can be boisterous when playing. Furthermore, Beagles have the propensity to be “mouthy,” meaning they will grasp at items with their mouths, such as your hand or that of a child, in an effort to play. This is just for fun, and they can be taught to stop.
In the right hands, the Border Collie may make a wonderful family pet, but only if he is reared and trained properly from puppyhood. If his herding tendencies are not otherwise directed, he will bite, chase, and bark at children (particularly very small children) and animals.
Children of all ages should be taught proper pet protocol before being left alone with any dog, regardless of breed. Your youngster should learn that he or she should never disturb a dog when it is eating or sleeping and that they or should never attempt to grab the dog’s food. Even the friendliest dog should never be left alone with a child.
Other People and Border Collie vs Beagle
Because of their easygoing demeanor, Beagles are stranger-friendly dogs. Though Border Collies are ideal for new owners, they are often sociable to strangers.
Dogs & Other Animals with Border Collie vs Beagle
Both the Border Collie and Beagle are friendly towards cats and other dogs. However, Beagles are much friendlier with other dogs than Border Collies.
Behavior Issues
Due to the strong bonds they form with their owners, the Beagles and the Border Collies might experience distress when left alone at home.
Training & Exercise of Border Collie vs Beagle
Beagles used to be prized for their hunting prowess, but now they’re more commonly kept as family pets despite their very high level of training difficulty. This sensitive breed is often distracted by smells within a 5-mile radius; therefore, training shouldn’t be harsh.
They learn quickly and easily from rewards and flourish in an environment of positive reinforcement. If you can get them to pay attention during training by making it enjoyable, you’ll soon find that training is not just the main attraction of their day, but also yours.
Border Collies, as a breed, are exceptionally bright and eager to learn. Because they view labor as play, any instruction on how to train a Border Collie will be enthusiastically received. After your puppy reaches 8 months of age, he or she will be receptive to training and will pick up on basic instructions like sit or stay with ease.
Agility training is something that some Border Collies may enjoy once they’ve mastered the basics. To your Border Collie, agility school is like going to college; there, he or she may learn to balance, jump, and impress his or her best buddy, you.
Taking Care & Maintenance of Border Collie vs Beagle
A single serving of the same food per day is plenty for an adult Beagle. Noon is a good time to serve the food. The calories in the meal given to them should reflect the fact that they should not gain weight. Fruits like blueberries, raspberries, bananas, and mangos can be given to them on a regular basis, in addition to their regular food.
On the other hand, if you’re going to feed the high-energy working Border Collie commercial dog food, make sure it’s from a reputable brand. Rashes and other skin issues can be avoided by periodically adding raw meat to his diet. Mixing in some rice, meat, and vegetables can help him acquire a wide range of nutrients. He needs access to clean, cold water at all hours of the day and night.
Grooming of Beagle and Border Collie
The Beagle is low maintenance in terms of bathing and brushing. Treatment against fleas on a seasonal basis is required, but it is not essential to have a professional groomer cut the dog’s hair. Infections can be avoided by cleaning the ears and eyes on a regular basis. If you want a dog but don’t want to commit a lot of time, energy, or resources to its upkeep, a Beagle is a great option.
In terms of maintenance, a Border Collie takes up about the same amount of time as an ordinary dog. To have a professional groomer cut your dog’s hair is preferable, but not required.
It helps to minimize shedding by brushing the dog’s coat. Regular cleaning of the ears and eyes might help prevent infections. Flea treatments should also be used every season. On occasion, it’s helpful to have your dog’s nails trimmed and give your dog a bath.
Shedding of Beagle and Border Collie
Although the Beagle’s short hair makes shedding less of an issue, it is still something to be aware of. They grow warmer winter coats, which they then shed in greater quantities in spring. Dogs of this breed don’t need to be bathed very often because they are naturally clean (unless they’ve discovered something deliciously nasty to roll in).
The Border Collie sheds seasonally. It is recommended that you brush his weatherproof double coat once a week to ensure that the coat oils are evenly distributed and to avoid the rough variety from matting. Reduce the amount of hair that ends up on furniture and floors by brushing more frequently during shedding season. If he is particularly unclean or if he starts to smell bad, give him a bath once every four months at the most.
The Health of Beagle and Border Collies
Beagles are susceptible to a number of illnesses. Keeping a watch out for things like eye and joint problems will help ensure your Beagle has the healthiest, happiest life possible.
The Border Collie, blessed with hardy working genes, can live beyond its teen years in good condition. While Border Collies are generally healthy, they may be predisposed to some health problems. If you and your veterinarian are aware of these conditions, you can take preventative measures and extend your Border Collie’s life.
Life Span of Beagle and Border Collie
Border Collies may live up to 12-15 years, whereas Beagles can live up to 10-15 years.
Diet & Nutrition
Beagles have a well-deserved reputation as ravenous canine scavengers. You should feed your dog two meals a day, each consisting of as much as three-quarters of a cup of dry food. The cost will be different for each dog because of its unique characteristics. It is important to keep this dog’s access to both dog food and human food limited.
You should keep an eye on your dog’s weight since, despite their omnivorous nature, they can easily gain excess pounds. Consult your veterinarian about the best diet, feeding plan, and total daily food intake for your dog.
Feeding a border collie twice daily is recommended. Relying on the dog’s weight and activity level, you should feed it between 3/4 and 1 cup of dry food per meal. Maintain a steady supply of pure water. There will be different nutritional requirements for your dog at different stages of its life. It’s important to talk to your vet if you see your dog is gaining weight. Adjusting the frequency, composition, or quantity of meals may be necessary. If you have a dog who is naturally energetic like this one, you might want to think about how much daily exercise you’re giving them.
Health Issues
Genetic predispositions to disease are shared by the Border Collie and the Beagle. We observed that the BC has a higher risk of developing genetic health issues than the Beagle did, based on our analysis of OFA data. The reason is, the OFA suggests more Border Collie health tests than Beagle ones. The Border Collie is recommended to undergo 13 different health checks, while the Beagle just needs to go through 9.
Breeders of Border Collies are encouraged by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) to do these some health checks:
- Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis
- Elbow Dysplasia
- DNA Repository
- Congenital Deafness
- Collie Eye Anomaly
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis
- Hip Dysplasia
Meanwhile, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) suggests some of these examinations for Beagles ensure their health:
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis
- Factor VII Deficiency
- Hip Dysplasia
- MLS
- Patellar Luxation
Cost of Border Collie vs Beagle
Researching potential breeders is essential to choose a reliable one. A bred Beagle costs $300 to $1,200.
When looking for a breeder, you’ll notice a large variation in the cost of a Border Collie. Finding out if you want a pet or a show dog is the most important consideration. Those tend to test, and even break, the bank.
However, most owners don’t give it any thought, so you should expect to pay between $600 and $1,200 for a purebred Border Collie. Even yet, the price is far lower than that of a puppy fit for a dog show. Always check the breeder’s references and check the breeding facilities for any signs of problems before bringing your dog there.
Puppies
When it comes to breeding, the litter size of a Beagle ranges from 4-6 puppies. Whereas, a Border Collie can have 6-9 puppies.
Breeders & Centers
Below you’ll discover a list containing the most reputable Beagle and Border Collie breeders in the United States, should you decide that you’d want to bring one of these wonderful dogs into your house. However, if you’re considering bringing a Beagle or a BC home from a stranger’s breeder, we strongly suggest that you do your homework before making any final decisions.
Some of the Beagle breeders in the US include, but are not limited to the following:
- KanD Beagles
- Leroy’s Country Pups
- Petland Orlando East
- Quail Ridge Pocket Beagles
- The Beagle Barn
On the other hand, listed below are some of the Border Collie breeders in the United States:
- PuppySpot’s Border Collies
- Embrace Border Collies
- Buttonwillow Farms
- Wilsong Border Collies
- North Star Border Collies
Conclusion: Which is Better, Border Collie or Beagle?
Beagle and Border Collie are two amazing dog breeds. From their astonishing looks to their stunning demeanor, everyone will surely love these two dogs of different breeds. However, despite their unique characteristic, either a Border Collie or a Beagle may not be suitable for everyone.
If you are a couch potato and you are not fond of running and playing outside, then you may find that the Beagle is the better one for you. Yet, if you are full of energy and love to be on the move all day, the Border Collie is the better choice.
