Breed comparison

Border Collie vs German Wirehaired Pointer

How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.

5Affection with family5
3Good with young children3
3Good with other dogs3
4Openness to strangers4
5Playfulness4
5Energy level5
5Trainability5
5Mental stimulation needs4
5Adaptability4
3Watchdog / protective3
4Barking3
3Shedding2
3Coat grooming2
1Drooling2

The biggest differences

These two breeds are close on every trait: no score differs by more than one point.

They score the same on affection with family, good with young children, good with other dogs, openness to strangers, energy level, trainability.

Which one should you choose?

Pick the Border Collie if you live in a smaller home or move often. Pick the German Wirehaired Pointer if you want less dog hair, you want a quieter dog.

Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.

Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.

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