Living
Which breed should most people pick?
Depends on priorities -- the Newfoundland is calmer and better with kids, but costs more, sheds heavily, and lives years less.
Border Collie vs Newfoundland: Which Suits Your Home?
Border Collie or Newfoundland? On paper they differ most on energy level, and on the scales Newfoundland is the heavier at 100–150 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Border Collie and Newfoundland and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on energy level and exercise need, so those are covered first and in most detail. Both rate 1/5 for flats, so housing does not settle this one. The focus throughout is on daily consequences rather than breed background.
Quick verdict
Between Border Collie and Newfoundland, energy level is what separates them, and Newfoundland is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose border collie if...
Choose Border Collie if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, shedding is a problem in your house and you want a dog that picks up training quickly.
Choose newfoundland if...
Choose Newfoundland if this is your first dog, your walking routine is modest and the dog will be alone during the working day.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | border collie | newfoundland | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | medium | giant | Equal |
| Weight | 30–55 lbs | 100–150 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 18–22 in | 26–28 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years | 9–10 years | border collie |
| Exercise need | Very high (5/5) | Moderate (3/5) | newfoundland |
| Grooming need | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | border collie |
| Shedding | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | border collie |
| Energy level | Very high (5/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | newfoundland |
| Apartment suitability | Very low (1/5) | Very low (1/5) | Equal |
| Good for first-time owners | Very low (1/5) | Moderate (3/5) | newfoundland |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | newfoundland |
| Trainability | Very high (5/5) | High (4/5) | border collie |
| Good with kids | High (4/5) | Very high (5/5) | newfoundland |
| Good with other dogs | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Friendly to strangers | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | newfoundland |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | border collie |
| Coat | Medium double coat | Heavy water-resistant double coat | Equal |
| Origin | United Kingdom | Various | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $100–$180 | $150–$310 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,500–$2,800 | $2,200–$4,200 | Equal |
Deep dive
Size and build
The Newfoundland is another giant on this site -- 100-150 pounds and up to 28 inches, versus the Collie's 30-55 pounds and 22-inch ceiling. A Newfoundland can outweigh a Collie by nearly 100 pounds even at the lower end of its range. Both breeds have working origins, just at opposite ends of the size spectrum.
Energy and exercise
The Collie rates 5/5 for exercise need and energy level; the Newfoundland comes in lower on both counts, at moderate (3/5) for exercise and low (2/5) for energy. In practice that means a Newfoundland is content with a moderate daily walk and some water play, while a Collie needs a genuine outlet or it invents one of its own.
Grooming and shedding
Grooming leans toward the Collie here -- moderate (3/5) against the Newfoundland's high (4/5), since that heavy water-resistant double coat needs regular, serious brushing. Shedding tells an even bigger story: very high (5/5) for the Newfoundland versus moderate (3/5) for the Collie. This is a genuinely heavy-shedding breed, worth knowing before committing to the coat.
Apartment living, noise and time alone
Both breeds score the lowest possible 1/5 for apartment suitability, though for different reasons -- the Collie's energy needs somewhere to go, the Newfoundland's sheer size needs somewhere to be. Barking favors the Newfoundland at low (2/5) against the Collie's moderate (3/5), and it also tolerates being alone slightly better, moderate (3/5) versus the Collie's low (2/5).
Training and owner experience
The Collie is the sharper trainee at 5/5 versus the Newfoundland's high (4/5), but the Newfoundland is the more forgiving choice for someone newer to dogs -- moderate (3/5) on first-time-owner suitability against the Collie's very low (1/5). A calmer temperament goes a long way toward covering for a less experienced handler, even in a 150-pound dog.
Kids, other dogs and visitors
The Newfoundland rates very high (5/5) with kids, ahead of the Collie's high (4/5) -- this is a breed nicknamed the 'nanny dog' in some circles for exactly that gentle patience. It also edges ahead with strangers, high (4/5) versus the Collie's moderate (3/5). Both tie with other dogs at high (4/5).
Health and lifespan
Lifespan strongly favors the Collie, 12-15 years against the Newfoundland's 9-10, typical of the size gap between them. Hip dysplasia and bloat (GDV) are shared risks. The Newfoundland's list is notably shorter and includes cardiac concerns like subaortic stenosis and dilated cardiomyopathy, along with cystinuria; the Collie's risks lean neurological and ocular instead.
Cost to keep
The Newfoundland is a genuinely expensive breed to keep, rated very high (5/5) on cost -- $150-310 monthly and $2,200-4,200 in year one, compared to the Collie's moderate $100-180 and $1,500-2,800. Feeding, grooming, and treating a 150-pound dog adds up fast, and that heavy coat means grooming bills on top of food.
Border Collie vs Newfoundland at a glance
Border Collie weighs 30–55 lbs and lives 12–15 years; Newfoundland weighs 100–150 lbs and lives 9–10 years. The two diverge most on energy level, exercise need and shedding and 2 other rated axes. They are level on apartment suitability and good with other dogs, so those cannot decide it. The table below marks a winner only where one breed is genuinely easier for a typical owner; size and origin are facts rather than merits and stay level. Ratings come from one source applied to both breeds, so they are meaningful against each other rather than as absolute scores.
Frequently asked questions
How much bigger is the Newfoundland?
Substantially -- 100-150 pounds versus the Collie's 30-55. Even a small Newfoundland outweighs a large Collie by a wide margin.
Which sheds more?
The Newfoundland, rated very high (5/5) against the Collie's moderate (3/5). This is one of the heavier-shedding breeds featured on this site.
Is the Newfoundland good for a first-time owner?
Better than the Collie, at least -- moderate (3/5) versus the Collie's very low (1/5). Its calm temperament offsets some of the challenge of managing a giant breed.
Does either fit an apartment?
No -- both score the lowest possible 1/5 for apartment suitability, just for different reasons: space for the Newfoundland, energy outlet for the Collie.
What's the monthly cost?
$150-310 for the Newfoundland, $100-180 for the Collie -- the Newfoundland's size and coat both add real ongoing expense.
Do they share health risks?
Hip dysplasia and bloat (GDV) appear on both lists. The Newfoundland's remaining risks are largely cardiac, while the Collie's lean neurological and ocular.
Which lives longer?
The Collie, clearly -- 12-15 years versus the Newfoundland's 9-10, a common gap between medium and giant breeds.
Quick answers
View more answersCosts
What's the monthly cost?
$150-310 for the Newfoundland versus $100-180 for the Collie.
Training
How much exercise does each need?
The Collie rates 5/5; the Newfoundland is moderate at 3/5 -- a real but less intense daily commitment.
Health
Which lives longer?
12-15 years for the Collie versus 9-10 for the Newfoundland.
Related DogBreedCompass guides
- Border Collie breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Border Collie before deciding.
- Newfoundland breed guide – The same for Newfoundland, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
- Border Collie vs German Shorthaired Pointer – German Shorthaired Pointer is the closest breed to Border Collie on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
- Newfoundland vs Saint Bernard – Saint Bernard sits closest to Newfoundland, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
- What Border Collie costs to keep – Anyone weighing these two is usually also pricing them, and the cost pages carry city-level figures.
- Newfoundland health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.
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Important reminder
Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.
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