In the world of herding, two breeds stand out from the rest: the Border Collie and the Australian Cattle Dog. Both are renowned for their intelligence, agility, and obedience, but which one reigns supreme? In this ultimate showdown, we pit these two working animals against each other in a series of challenges that will put their skills to the test. From navigating the rugged Outback of Australia to herding sheep in the rolling hills of Scotland, we’ll see which breed comes out on top. Whether you’re an animal lover, a fan of dogumentary-style videos, or simply curious about the abilities of these incredible dogs, this video is for you. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to witness the ultimate herding showdown between the Border Collie and the Australian Cattle Dog, also known as the Blue Heeler.
46 Comments
I really wouldn't recommend a Heeler as a pet… Neither are Kelpies good pets. Nippy, stubborn, a little bit neurotic sometimes…
I find Australian Shepherds make much better pets as far as herding breeds.
I love my border collie!!
She severely discredits the toughness of a border collie, I’ve had several border collies and they’ve solved multiple issues with their teeth. Border collies are well suited to work cattle most folks use border collies. I’ve seen a border collie herd buffalo before, get thrown sky-high and take off to cut the buffalo off and direct it where it needed to go. Not discounting the ACD by any means, she’s well spoken on the breed.
should mention the existence of the Australian stumpy tail cattle dog which is bred with a stump tail and are generally a bit larger.
Thats not an Australian cattle dog it's an "Australian stumpy tail cattle dog" it's a different breed with different characteristics
Where can I get those collars
Very informative. I like the hat!
Fascinating. Thank you.
What makes people want to muster dogs anyway? Don't dogs like to run around in packs anyway ?
Working Blue Heeler owner here whose dog doesn't work (I know, it was a happy accident). I am very active so she gets a good amount of stimulation although you can tell 2 hours a day is about the bare minimum. Once we get home I have to play with her and come up with puzzles for her to find food. Extremely intelligent breed. Everyone is blown away by the sheer energy and tenacity (her job is to chase the ball and she absolutely sends it every single time). I never need a leash when walking as she is razor sharp on commands and I just have her heel on me when walking past other dogs or across streets. I let her out in the front yard to take dumps and she won't ever leave the perimeter. I forget she's out there and she'll just be sitting at the front door when I come back. We trained her early on not to bite or lick humans whatsoever. Never had an issue with heel nips but she will semi-herd anything even with 0 training for it. My gf really wishes she would learn to cuddle but 3 years in and it's rare she'll snuggle up with you. She puts her butt on me when laying down but that's about it. Very wary of strangers coming on the property especially through that demonic front door! Definitely see the Dingo shine through at times. Intense breed but I fell 100% in love. Tough. Stubborn. Loyal as hell. Lifelong friend.
You should look into our Australian Kelpies, great stock dogs, go all day in all weather.
The dingo is technically considered an "introduced" species in Australia, but in came in 4,000 years ago with southeast islanders. They've adapted into the environment.
Retired librarian, MI / US
Haha “they don’t actually think the border collie will eat them, but the blue Heeler will!” I love this video summary very helpful info. Thank you!!!
i rescued a heeler, she escaped my yard 3 times….i wanted to return her because obviously she wasn’t happy….then they said they found her with a liter. good grief, we reunited her with her pups, a farm took all of them….probably until the pups were older. that dog was on a mission
now it’s 15+ years later, my lab and golden are gone, now we have a GSP/Border collie from our shelter..she and her sister were dropped off at 5 weeks old, we adopted at 7 weeks…she missed time with her mother..,so some lessons had to be given…she’s 1 and she’s a GEM of a dog. So smart. The combination makes for a dog that wants to run and think all day. From day one I had formal nap time, otherwise she won’t lay down, she collapses to sleep at nap time. it’s like, oh yea you’re right, i am tired.
Getting tricky to get exercise this week because of our frigid weather….usually we’re outside all day.
I am looking for a rottweiler/ Australian cattle dog cross, or a 3/4 Australian cattle dog and 1/4 rottweiler. I love both dog breeds, and they are both good cattle dogs.
That's why the kelpie is best of both worlds
Your red dog is a different kind of red than any red healer I’ve seen, I’d say a red Kelpie/ heeler mix , great dog
Very good info. Thank you.
So interesting to hear these subtleties in the behavior of these herding breeds. Thanks! Love the channel.
Border collies are scalpels, cattle dogs are hammers.
G'day, I took my Blue healer many places on the back od my Motercycle. She Loved to go for rides. I once went 3 hours to Melbourne In Victoria (Australia). Left the dog sitting on the bike and I walked off into the croud. I kept an eye on her and she stayed with the bike. Lots and lots of people everywhere and many wanted to get a close look a the dog on the bike. When they realised the dog was not tied up, they kept a respectable distance.
There are no words to describe how dumb my dog is.
Great video! I have a Red Heeler (Cassie Hudini) and an Aussie Shep (Robyn). Both are rescues. Cassie is 11, had her since she was 1. Robyn is probably about 13; have had her for 3 years. Robyn is weird; she would have been completely different if I had had her for life. Cassie Hudini is MY dog. She decided that by herself. I love her to pieces! Attached at the hip, always nearby. We have a small ranch. I have had many dogs and breeds, all rescues except one. Cassie is my Angel Dog. Although every dog brings their own gifts, Cassie Hudini is the most wonderful of all!!!
That cattle dog is so beautiful. Looks like mine but in red heheh. Mine is definitely my shadow but he gets along with everybody.
Australian stubby tail cattle dog ! born without a tail.
everybody commenting and the creator here is the reason these dogs get put in rescues and killed. just dont get one.
I have a blue heeler. She's amazing. Her name is Hazel. Wish I could share a pic
She is very good on ACDs. Our blue, Cali, will be 16 years old in December and she ticks all the marks in the video. Until she discovered sheep in a pasture and hit the electric fence.
After that encounter, sheep were evil.
Honey, come to Australia and watch the Kelpie competitions, they will herd the sheep, make your dinner, then read to you after dinner!
😢there are many local variations of the ACDs, to cope with different beasts and different country.
I had an ACD pup, at about 3 months old, he came with me to visit neighbours and acted up, I got angry and sent him home (about 7 miles) I stayed at the neighbours for a few hours. I got home and was asked was up with the pup, he had slunk home like a whipped dog. I called him, he slunk out, head down, tail down and I gave him a cuddle, he was quiet that night but OK the next day.
Btw, the “Stumpy Tailed Australian Cattle Dog” is a recognised sub species, developed in the Grose Valley, to work both Sheep and Cattle in rough country of the Blue Mountains foothills.
Isn’t that a stumpy, Not an Australian cattle dog? Slightly different from what I’ve researched?
Cattle dogs do not herd ,they heel
They dont caste..They are drivers not herders
Heller 👉🏻🤩🥇 …Border 💩🦄🦄🦄
My daughter has a beautiful Red Heeler named Ruby who is her emotional support animal. It works because of that “one person” part of a cattle dog’s personality! Ruby is very active and intelligent, and we love having her as part of our family!
Sissy would be interesting to see a genetic test for.
We had a blue Heeler, Lucy. She passed in our loving arms at home at 16 1/2. She was our family member since 3 months! Smartest sassy girl!! We miss and love you!!🙏🏾🤍🌈🕊️
Hi there, I just come across your video and I agree with you regarding Australian Cattle dogs. I have had blue heelers for many years now and everything you outlined about their personality, ability and stubbornness is all true. I also now have my first red cattle dog and they are definately Aussie dogs on steroids and I also believe they do have closer ties to their Dingo heritage than the bluey's. Love them to bits no matter the colour they are the best dogs ever.
Here in Australia we call Cattle Dogs with short tails "Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs". They are born with the short tail.
"Don't think the Border Collie will eat them, but pretty sure the Cattle Dog will" lol. I have a non working ACD and this makes me appreciate him all the much more ❤️
AKC wrecks working dogs for their confirmation BS.
This lady has a Australian Stumpy tail cattle dog, not an Australian cattle dog. If there is a natural doc’d tail then it is either mixed with a stumpy or a stumpy.
The stumpy predated the Australian cattle dog by 50 years
It's pretty easy to work out – use a heeler when you work cattle and a border collie when you work sheep.
Absolutely Love this episode and how well the lady explains the differences 🐶🐾 Delighted to watch both working together 🤩🤩 I’m a Kelpie X Cattle Dog mum now 😅😅😅 wish me luck 😆🐶🦁🦁🦁
This is such cool info on the border collie and Australian Cattle dog. Mine is a mix between the two, and everything she said rings true!