Comparing Border Collie vs Dachshund

Border Collie and Dachshund are two amazing dog breeds that display unique characteristics. Obviously, their physique may already show their differences one over the other. Aside from that, their lineage speaks for itself. One from the Herding group and the other, a Hound dog.

Read on until the end to see the similarities and differences that exist between these breeds.

Characteristics Comparison Between Border Collies and Dachshunds

If you are looking for a dog breed to bring home, knowing the way they behave, interact with people and other animals, and how they easily get bored are important things to learn about. Let us try to look at each other’s characteristics so that we may get to know the Border Collie and the Dachshund better. That way, we may set a picture in mind of which one would be suitable for our lifestyle.

Generally, Border Collies are well-known for their motivation, devotion, and diligence. They actually love thriving on doing tasks and want to cuddle after their busy day outside. This breed is so attentive to the point that they will immediately bark when they hear something strange or see someone they don’t know. Loud sounds like thunder may actually frighten them.

Dachshunds are noted for their bravery despite their small stature and have been known to take on animals significantly larger than themselves. It’s possible that some dogs of this breed are aggressive toward humans and other canines.

History of Border Collie vs Dachshund

Modern-day Border Collies can be traced to their direct lineage, the Old Hemp. During the first century, the Romans invaded the British Isles, and together with them were dogs that they used to herd cattle. The dogs immediately became popular all over England, Wales, and Ireland.

Afterward, the Vikings ruled over England when the Roman Empire fell. The Vikings also had with them a new smaller herding dog breed that closely resembled the Spitz. These smaller dogs were bred with the larger Roman dogs, and the resulting offspring were the forerunners of the modern Border Collie.

During the 15th and 17th centuries, a breed of hunting dogs in Germany came up and believed that they were born to hunt badgers. This dog breed is popularly known as Dachshunds. Another history told that Dachshunds were introduced to the US around the 1880s. And, during the 30s and 40s, that later became so popular around the world.

Then came 1840, Dachshunds were introduced in the UK, and said that they were brought back for hunting pheasants by the Royal Family. Queen Victoria during that time was very fond of Dachshunds so they became more popular. Unfortunately, their popularity has been reduced during the First and second world wars, and the Dachshunds were attacked and killed in the streets.

Appearance of Border Collie vs Dachshund

The appearance of the Border Collie and the Dachshund is another important distinction to look at. Comparing the Border Collie and the Dachshund based on their looks will give you a noticeable difference at a glance.

The Border Collies display a medium-framed body that is robust and muscular. Yet, this dog breed is great for agility, stamina, grace, and intensity. Bodily characteristics of a Border Collie include a strong, straight back and a deep chest.

Their eyes are round. Border Collies, while not overly large, also have spaced-out ears that held erect or almost so. When Border Collies are focused on something, they tend to tuck their tails even lower.

A small, cute, energetic, and lovable dog breed usually describes the Dachshunds. The Dachshund’s physique is long and slender. They have an effective torso and short, stumpy legs. The skin is loose, which is good since it will not tear readily if the dog digs underground.

Dachshunds have curled tails that stand out less in the field which makes them easier to find. Aside from that, this sausage dog is known for its ample chest. Their ears are designed to keep debris like dirt and dust out of their hearing organs by folding over and covering the ear canals.

Size of Border Collie vs Dachshund

Border Collies have five breed sizes that start from the toy size and have a weight of up to 12 lbs. You can also encounter Border Collies weighing around 12 to 25 lbs and they fall under the small size category. Medium Border Collies have a weight range of 25 to 50 lbs while large BC weighs 50 lbs to 100 lbs. More than 100 lbs, Border Collies are already considered giant BC.

Like the Border Collies, Dachshunds have three different sizes. Dachshunds belong to the group of Hound dogs and have a standard size of 8 to 9 inches in height and 16 to 32 lbs in weight. The miniature ones are about 5-6 inches and weigh 11 lbs. The largest Dachshund is between 30 and 35 pounds and they are into hunting badgers and boars.

Coats & Colors

The coats of Border Collies can be either rough or smooth. Both have thick undercoats that are short and velvety and weatherproof outer coats that are either straight or somewhat wavy.

Rough-coated Border Collies have feathery coat that varies in length and is most noticeable on the dog’s forelegs, hind legs, chest, and underside. Border Collies with smooth coats have short hair across their bodies.

Even though black and white is the most prevalent color combination, Border Collies can be found in a wide variety of other colors and patterns. It includes brindle, blue, merle, sable, red, and white ticked.

Normally the coat of a Dachshund has a smooth, short-haired appearance. Sometimes, the coat has a long and wire-haired coat. The colors have black, tan chocolate, red brindle, and many more.

Personality & Temperament of Border Collie vs Dachshund

Border Collies are energetic working dogs that thrive living in the country. These dogs can quickly become destructive and unhappy if they are confined without adequate exercise and socialization. The dogs of this breed are incredibly smart, rapid learners, and appreciative of compliments.

Their natural herding instincts make them fiercely protective of their pack and property, making them excellent guard dogs. In connection with that, they will protect the children of the household. But they can be shy and even aggressive with strangers, biting at their heels as a sheepdog would.

Clever, playful, stubborn, devoted, lively, independent, and courageous, are the words that best describe Dachshunds. Their small size is so cute paired with their very playful personality. The Dachshunds love to dig, hunt and track. This is a dog breed that has incredible curiosity out of nowhere.

The “Doxies“, also known as Dachshunds, may have different personalities depending on their variety. Some of them are bolder, especially the wire-haired ones. Meanwhile, the small-sized Dachshunds or the miniatures are more likely timid.

Family of Border Collie vs Dachshund

Border Collies, like most other Collie breeds, thrive in active households with plenty of people coming and going and kids of varying ages to keep them from getting bored. Border Collies are ideally good members of the household because of their playful nature and high energy levels.

They make wonderful pets and are ideal for energetic families. A Border Collie will fit right in with your family and enjoy being active and playing games, so they’ll make a great addition. The Border Collie will match your family nicely if you have lots of energy and enjoy being active. But if you spend the entire day watching TV on the couch, perhaps this isn’t the dog for you.

On the other hand, Dachshunds have the ability to defend and protect their family members whenever danger is around as they can sense it quickly.

This dog breed is ideal for owners who might reside in more urban areas or in apartments without readily available access to a lot of free space to move about in.

Do not be misled by their diminutive size; they are ideal for families who lack the room for larger canines to live and play. Due to their high energy level, it’s critical to ensure that your doxie gets the appropriate amount of exercise to prevent overeating or the emergence of behavioral issues, such as impatience and depression.

Kids

Border Collies are loving, rarely snap, and are great with kids of all ages because they are friendly and playful. However, they can be quite rowdy and don’t discriminate based on age when they want to play! The greatest risk of sharing your home with a Border Collie and a young child is that the dog could injure the kid if it gets too rowdy, but this is usually avoidable with proper training and supervision.

A Border Collie is a fantastic choice if your older children want to spend time outdoors and, more importantly, if your youngsters actively appreciate having a dog around. Having a high-energy dog like a Border Collie can help your kids stay active; if they love playing with the dog and want to get more out of it, you might think about enrolling them in canine sports.

Dachshunds can make great family dogs. However, there may come a time when they can be aggressive with kids and other pets. Socialization and continual positive reinforcement training are keys to ending that. Moreover, they are social creatures, so having a “pack” of humans and even other animals can be great for them if they are well-socialized when they are young.

Like any other dog breed, Dachshunds should not be left unsupervised with young children. It is also very important to teach children to treat dogs with respect and kindness if that is what they want in return.

Other People

The majority of dogs, especially young dogs, often get along well with strangers. It’s possible that young puppies feel anxious when they aren’t particularly sociable to strangers rather than being too protective.

To the point that they jump all over visitors and refuse to listen to you, your Border Collie may just not be properly socialized if they are overly friendly towards strangers. In most cases like these, all that’s needed to fix things is a little training, therefore it might be worth it to get in touch with a good Border Collie pet trainer.

While a Dachshund may be more suspicious of strangers than other dog breeds, this does not mean that he will instantly bark or snarl at any new human he encounters. In the park, he should be kind to strangers, and at home, he shouldn’t be bothered by guests.

Always take the time to properly introduce new individuals to your Dachshund so he can get to know them and feel comfortable in their presence. Have everyone take a seat on the floor, and he’ll eventually make his way to them. You can ask your guest to stroke his back or tummy if he seems at ease. He’ll be back to normal after that and will likely only want to play.

Dogs & Other Animals

When put to work, Collies thrive in a team-based environment and get along well with other dogs. So, the Border Collie may happily coexist with another canine group mate. But, given the high demands of a particular Border Collie, it’s important not to take on more than you can handle.

With proper socialization and introductions, while the dog is young, or later on with caution, Border Collies can also coexist peacefully with smaller pets like cats. Some Border Collies may try to herd or boss around smaller animals. But most cats will put an end to that rather quickly on their own. Border Collies are energetic and curious, so having a friendly cat or kitten around who isn’t afraid of dogs can be a nice way to keep them from getting bored when they’re alone at home.

Dachshunds do get along with other animals if their personalities matched. They may not be like other dogs because they are so jealous when other pets get the attention of their pet parents. This is mainly because they are very loyal. They simply follow and are trainable to get along with other dog breeds.

Behaviour Issues

Border Collies are very active dogs, but if they don’t get enough exercise or stimulation they might become frustrated and exhibit undesirable behavior. Anxiety, boredom, a lack of training, or a lack of socialization are all factors that might manifest as undesirable behaviors in young dogs.

Your Border Collie’s misbehavior and subsequent need for correction will be frustrating. Some typical examples of undesirable behavior that you can experience with your Border Collie are:

• unable to listen to instructions and commands
• aggressive barking
• steal food on the table when feeling hungry
• jumping over people

Even though Dachshunds are adorable and well-liked, some of them have behavioral problems including separation anxiety, borrowing, begging, digging, chewing, too much barking, and snapping.

Training & Exercise of Border Collie vs Dachshund

Those who have experience with dogs will find it quite simple to train a Border Collie. Training your Collie with positive reinforcement should begin at an early age and continue for as long as possible. Several owners report that their Collies thrive in group training environments and quickly master new instructions.

If you want your Collie to grow up well-rounded and confident, start exposing him to new situations and other dogs as soon as possible. Collies are independent creatures who may not be overly enthusiastic about meeting new canine friends. Learn to recognize the symptoms of your dog’s unhappiness so you can stop aggressiveness before it starts.

Daily exercise for your Collie should last at least two hours, but more is preferable. In a secure environment, this should be broken up into multiple walks throughout the day. In addition, Collies enjoy mental challenges. Schedule regular training sessions and make up some activities that will really test your dog’s intelligence, and give them lots of time to play.

Collies benefit greatly from puzzle feeders. A lot of Collies also like games that challenge their brains as they get their body moving. Your Collie may thrive on activities like agility and flyball.

Daily exercise for your Dachshund should last at least an hour. The miniature variety generally requires half an hour of exercise. This should be done over the course of two walks, with the second walk being substantially longer to allow for more sniffing time. In addition, they will require multiple chances to roam free off-leash in a safe environment.

Dog training that involves maneuvering around obstacles like cones and hurdles while also providing physical and mental challenges is ideal for these intelligent canines. But don’t create the barriers too high, because they’ll just duck under them. They also really like playing fetch.

Taking Care & Maintenance of Border Collie vs Dachshund

Taking care of a Border Collie is quite simple, but the dog’s general upkeep is more labor-intensive. A Border Collie, like any other dog, needs to eat food that is suitable for its age and nutritionally balanced. Due to their high levels of activity, these dogs will consume a lot of energy daily.

A Border Collie does not require frequent bathing. Your Border Collie probably only needs a bath once every four months, unless they spend a lot of time playing in the dirt and getting smelly. A natural, hypoallergenic shampoo is recommended for usage at bath time.

It is important to take care of your border collie’s teeth regularly. While dogs can’t have cavities, they are susceptible to gum disease due to plaque buildup.

Untreated gum disease can cause painful swelling of the gums and eventual tooth loss. Border Collies benefit from having their teeth washed at least once a day. If that is too difficult, try to aim for three or four times per week. Your Border Collie should be accustomed to having his teeth brushed from an early age.

Because of their small size, Dachshunds are widely regarded as one of the easiest dog breeds to care for. You won’t have to worry about excessive shedding, a few minutes of brushing once a week is plenty, and their small frame isn’t built to withstand vigorous activities like running and jumping.

They may be rather obstinate and a picky eater at times, so it’s important to keep an eye on the food storage areas in between feedings.

Dachshunds are natural sniffers and will want to sniff out the new toothbrush and toothpaste beforehand of using it. Instead of a toothbrush, you can use your fingertips at first. Brushing their teeth won’t be a problem if they get acclimated to the new toothbrush. When it’s over, be sure to give them some compliments.

As an alternative to brushing, dental chews for dogs can be quite helpful. It’s not hard to cut the nails of a Dachshund, but you should do it regularly. They need to have their nails trimmed whenever you hear them banging on the tile.

Grooming of Dachshund and Border Collie

Grooming requirements for the Border Collie are similar to those for other dog breeds. Despite their boundless stamina, these dogs are surprisingly low maintenance in terms of cleanliness. To clarify, “low maintenance” does not mean “no maintenance” at all, although hearing this is music to the ear. Give your pet the loving care they deserve by giving them good grooming.

The BC need more frequent brushing than bathing to maintain their healthy appearance and comfort. This breed usually only requires a bath once every three months. If you take your dog on a particularly muddy trip, you may need to increase the frequency of his baths, unless you want muddy paw prints all over your house. But be careful not to overdo it; bathing your dog too often can irritate his skin.

In addition to brushing twice weekly (or more frequently during shedding seasons) and washing sometimes, nail cutting is another important part of your border collie’s grooming routine.

Grooming requirements for the various Dachshund coat types vary slightly. These three types are remarkably low-maintenance, even when often exposed to the elements. Though, their paws may need attention after a vigorous digging session. Nonetheless, they should not be expected to be hypoallergenic.

Dachshunds should only be bathed once a month, as frequent bathing can cause their delicate skin to dry up. It’s a good idea to examine her ears, teeth, and nails every time you clean her, as well as her coat sheen (dull hair can indicate a lack of nutrients in her diet). For this reason, Dachshund’s floppy ears need to be cleaned and checked for infections every week. Checking and cleaning your Dachshund’s ears correctly is something you should discuss with your vet.

Shedding of Dachshund vs Border Collie

The Border Collie is double-coated, with a longer, softer, and fluffier outer coat as another shorter, coarser undercoat. The BC is about average when it comes to shedding. The Border Collie sheds about an average amount of hair every year. To manage the shedding at a minimum, brushing your dog twice or thrice weekly is usually sufficient.

Yet, twice a year, the shedding process speeds up significantly. As the seasons change, your dog will shed their entire coat in the spring and fall. You’ll need to brush your dog every day to keep up with the excessive shedding.

Meanwhile, another double-coated breed, the Dachshund, has an outer coat exhibited by a long, smooth, and feathery appearance. Their undercoat is somewhat rougher and shorter. In terms of shedding, brushing them two to three times a week to remove dead hair is typically essential to keep the shedding under control.

Dachshunds, on all accounts, are average shedders and seldom shed at all. They rarely shed all over the couch or the floor. If you keep your dog clean and trim, you won’t have to worry about excess dog hair.

The Dachshund, like all dogs, will shed its old fur as it is replaced by new. Dachshunds of all coat types, including smooth, wire, and long, shed their fur seasonally to maintain coat health and achieve the appropriate coat thickness.

Health of Dachshund and Border Collie

Certain hereditary diseases affect both Border Collies and Dachshunds. The Border Collie has a higher risk of developing hereditary health issues than the Dachshund. This is based on the records found at the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

There is a predisposition in Border Collies’ genetics toward a few common diseases. Breeders can lower the likelihood of generating puppies with genetic abnormalities in Border Collies by ensuring that both of a dog’s parents are healthy before the breeding process.

As a breed, Dachshunds tend to develop particular illnesses. You may help ensure that your Dachshund puppy grows up healthy by requesting the breeder to conduct a check of the breed for common health issues.

Life Span of Border Collie vs Dachshund

Border Collies usually live anywhere from 10 to 17 years. On average, their lifespan is 12 years, but in some exceptional cases, they can reach 18 years of age. When comparing breeds of comparable size, the average lifespan is 12–13 years.

A Border Collie’s health problems often have their roots in the dog’s genetic makeup. Examining their family’s health history can help you gauge the likelihood of any serious health issues in the individual. Breeders that take their responsibilities seriously keep detailed records and should be prepared to answer questions about the health and longevity of their dogs’ ancestors.

The typical lifespan of a Dachshund is 12.5 years, or 1.5 years longer than the average canine. The average lifespan of a sausage dog is over 10 years. It’s interesting that many owners of Dachshunds claim their dogs are still active and healthy at ages 15, 16, or even 17. An exercise routine, existing health problems, and dietary quality all play a role in how long a dog lives.

However, it doesn’t matter what kind of Dachshund you get. The lifespan of a Miniature Dachshund is comparable to that of a regular Wiener. It also doesn’t matter if your dog has a short coat, a long coat, or a wire coat; the coat type is irrelevant.

Diet and Nutrition

Border Collies should be fed premium dog food that is appropriate to their age and stage of development (puppy, adult, senior). A diet designed for high-energy dogs is a good option. Although Border Collies are not often overweight, they can be kept in tip-top shape by feeding them only what they can reasonably consume from a measuring cup. Restricting their treat intake to no more than 10% of their daily caloric intake is recommendable.

Because the Dachshund is classified as a carnivore, it is crucial that its diet include high-quality sources of protein and fat found in animal products such as meat, chicken, and fish. To keep him healthy, your Dachshund requires a high-quality meal that satisfies his dietary requirements while also being high in protein, moderate in fat, and low in carbohydrates.

While these are the most common dietary requirements for canines of all ages, there are some differences to keep in mind as your Dachshund grows from a puppy to an adult to a senior. The Dachshund is a small dog, so keep that in mind.

The metabolisms of small breeds are higher than those of larger breeds, despite they are not as high as those of toy breeds. If your Dachshund is particularly active, he may require three or four meals a day to replenish the energy he uses up. In addition, to avoid hypoglycemia, Dachshund puppies should be fed frequently.

Health Issues

Border Collies are one of the healthiest dog breeds around. However, just like other purebred dogs, they have an increased risk of developing certain diseases. Because there are so many various kinds of Border Collies, and some of them have diseases or abnormalities that others don’t, it’s important to get your puppy from a reliable breeder.

Here are some of the health problems that a Border Collie may experience:

• Autoimmune Thyroiditis
• Collie Eye Anomaly
• Dysplasia of the Hips and Elbow
• DNA Repository
• Congenital Deafness
• Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome
• Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

Border Collies are amazing, smart, and devoted canine companions who perform well with families, but they are at risk for genetic disease and face other health issues. Regardless of the breed, you can rest assured that you will have a loyal four-legged friend for as long as you provide them with regular veterinary care, a healthy diet, and plenty of exercise.

Because of their long, narrow bodies, Dachshunds are susceptible to many of the same environmental and genetic issues that affect other breeds of long-bodied dogs. Dachshunds, like dogs of all breeds, are susceptible to a wide variety of diseases. Let’s go through some of the more important ones.

• Congenital Deafness
• Autoimmune thyroiditis
• Eye Problem
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Patellar Luxation

Cost of Getting a Dachshund vs Border Collie

You can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1,200 for a healthy, well-bred Border Collie from a reliable breeder. It costs upwards of $4,500 to guarantee a champion pedigree. Keep away from Border Collies marketed for much less money. These canines may be the result of backyard breeding. Costs associated with shelters and rescues typically range from $100 to $350.

If you are planning to buy one and make the Dachshund your own, you need to exert more preparations in terms of money. It may be costly yet very happy and challenging to own. From the initial set-ups and supplies, maintenance and all, it costs a lot and is high. So, overall, the cost of getting a Dachshund puppy depends on many factors like location, coat type, and availability.

The price range is from $200 to $4,000. Some Dachshunds may be cheaper, but they may not be bred responsibly or may not exist at all. For Dachshunds puppies – on average, it may cost between $200 and $3,500.

In addition to the costs of owning a Dachshund, here are some possible inclusions to the price of this sausage dog:

• Initial Vet Checkup
• Initial Vaccinations
• Contract of Sale
• Pedigree Certificate
• Health Testing Certificates
• AKC Registration

Puppies of Dachshund vs Border Collie

At the most, a pregnant Border Collie can have eight healthy puppies. The typical litter size is five Border Collie pups. After giving birth, the mom and her puppies may need a large nursing area. Border Collies have an average litter size of five puppies which is larger than the average dog breed.

The typical litter size for a Dachshund is 4-5 puppies, however, the number can range from 3 to 6. Smaller litter sizes of 1-2 puppies are also possible, as are larger ones of 7-8 puppies. This falls within the range of what the average dog owner can expect from their small to medium-sized dog.

Smaller litter sizes are typical for Dachshunds compared to larger dog breeds. Larger dog breeds tend to have bigger litter sizes but shorter life expectancies than smaller dog breeds. Simply said, a bigger dog can carry more puppies because her womb can accommodate them. Smaller dog breeds, such as the dachshund, seldom have more than eight puppies at a time, whereas larger dog types can have as many as twelve.

Breeders & Centers

There are many places where you can adopt a purebred Border Collie if you’re passionate about providing a dog a second chance in life. A beautiful Border Collie mix desperately seeking a new home could be among the fortunate finds you encounter. All dogs available for adoption from shelters have already been spayed or neutered but also given their vaccinations.

Having the proper supplies for your dog’s upkeep is also important. You should schedule regular checks with the vet, invest in immunizations, and put money aside for spaying and neutering. They will also require plenty of food, bedding, interactive toys, and chew toys.

Dog lovers need to look no further than the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme to locate a reputable Dachshund breeding facility. The breeder of Dachshunds will be subject to an inspection by the Kennel Club to ensure that they care for and breed the dogs properly. To find a local breeder who can provide you with a KCA Dachshund, you need only check the website of the Kennel Club.

Some reputable breeders even use the Internet to promote their services. Unfortunately, there is a significant risk that the breeder is unethical and that the puppy was not raised in a safe environment.

Instead of purchasing a puppy, you could consider adopting a Dachshund from a rescue organization. Adoption is a wonderful choice that may provide a lot of joy to both the Dachshund and its new family. Due to a lack of available Dachshunds, adoptions in the United Kingdom and Australia will be more challenging. On the other hand, there are a great number of Dachshunds in need of new homes in the United States.

Conclusion: Which Is Better, Dachshund or Border Collie?

A highly energetic, playful, and friendly dog breed, the Border Collie is an amazing four-legged creature. No wonder anyone would probably love to cuddle them. Well, you could do so if your personality matches theirs. Meaning to say, if your lifestyle is active and are fond of spending your time outside, then you may find that the Border Collie breed is better.

Dachshund, on the other hand, is an adorable sausage dog breed. They are small, yet their cuteness can be deceiving as they can be stubborn at times. But, because of their loyalty to their owners, anyone would fall into the magic of loving them. So, even if you are living in an apartment or small-spaced room, it may be better for you to have the Dachshund.

But, regardless of the breed, the most important thing to consider is that their personality and lifestyle perfectly match yours.