Ace

As herding dogs, Australian Kelpies are happiest with an activity or job to do. They bond quickly with their owners but may treat kids and dogs like sheep that need to be corralled. With training and socialization, the Kelpie can grow to be a great watchdog and faithful companion. Full-grown, they typically weigh 35-50 pounds and stand 17-20 inches tall.

Australian Kelpies are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. The Australian Kelpie is good with children and other pets when they’re raised together from puppyhood. They aren't overly aggressive dogs, but they will fiercely defend their families and territory when necessary. They're relatively quiet and don't bark much.

The Australian Kelpie is a working dog that needs plenty of exercise. They loves being given a job to do and will easily become bored if they don't have enough activity or stimulation. They’re great at sports and love walking, hiking, jogging, and any exercise so long as it gets their blood pumping. Overall, their exercise needs are high.

The Australian Kelpie has a double coat with a short, dense undercoat and hard, straight outercoat that’s weather-repellent. Working Australian Kelpies can be any color, but show Kelpies are solid black, red, fawn, chocolate, or blue. These dogs are average shedders that don’t need much bathing, brushing, or grooming. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Australian Kelpies are best suited for a home with a yard, though they can adapt to apartment life with enough exercise. Australian Kelpies enjoy being outdoors, but they should live indoors in a home setting. They are fairly easy to train.

Border Collies are one of the smartest and most focused breeds around. These sweet dogs are happiest when they have an activity to do or job to work on, whether it’s playing fetch, digging a hole, or keeping an eye on you. Full-grown, they typically weigh 30-55 pounds and stand 18-22 inches tall.

Border Collies are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. The Border Collie gets along well with other pets and children, but it may try to dominate dogs of the same sex. They should be socialized as puppies with small, non-canine pets so they can overcome their natural prey instincts. They're fairly vocal dogs that bark regularly.

Border Collies need high-energy owners to satisfy their appetite for exercise and activity. If they get bored or restless, they’re known to act out. The best way to keep Border Collies active is to give them work to do, whether it’s an exercise like running or a game like Frisbee. Overall, their exercise needs are very high.

Border Collies have thick, shiny undercoats and colorful outer coats that come in several colors, including solid, bicolor, tricolor, merle (lighter coat with speckled patches), or sable (light undercoat with black-tipped hairs). These dogs are average shedders that don’t need much grooming. Brush them once or twice a week to keep their coats clean, and only bathe them when needed. Grooming-wise, this breed is moderate.

Border Collies are best suited for a home with a yard, though they can adapt to apartment life with enough exercise. They’re adaptable to just about any living setting, so as long as they get enough exercise and attention, they will be happy spending time indoors, outdoors, in warm climates, or cooler places. They are highly trainable and eager to learn.