Is the Otterhound or the Rough Collie better for families with children?

Both the Otterhound and the Rough Collie are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Otterhound or the Rough Collie?

The Otterhound and Rough Collie shed a similar amount (very high).

Which is easier to train, the Otterhound or the Rough Collie?

The Rough Collie is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.

Is Otterhound or Rough Collie bigger?

Otterhound and Rough Collie are a similar size (Large).

Which barks more, Otterhound or Rough Collie?

Both bark a similar amount (medium).

Which is better for apartment living, Otterhound or Rough Collie?

For apartment or apartment living, Otterhound and Rough Collie are an even match — either can work well.

Otterhound vs Rough Collie: Which Needs Less Grooming?

Otterhound vs Rough Collie: full comparison

Trait	Otterhound	Rough Collie
Size	Large	Large
Energy level	Medium	Medium
Trainability	Medium	High
Friendliness	Very High	Very High
Good with children	Very High	Very High
Grooming needs	High	Very High
Shedding	Very High	Very High
Barking	Medium	Medium
Protectiveness	Low	Medium
Adaptability	Medium	High
Typical lifespan	11 years	13 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Size and living space

The Otterhound is a large dog that does best in a larger home with room to stretch out, ideally with access to a yard. By comparison, the Rough Collie is a large dog that does best in a larger home with room to stretch out, ideally with access to a yard. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Otterhound needs a solid walk or two a day plus some active play. The Rough Collie needs a solid walk or two a day plus some active play. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Otterhound needs frequent grooming and benefits from professional trims and drops hair heavily in every season. The Rough Collie is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and drops hair heavily in every season. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Otterhound picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice, barks a fair amount, usually for a reason and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. The Rough Collie takes to training fast and works willingly, barks a fair amount, usually for a reason and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. On guarding instinct, Otterhound is not a natural guard and greets visitors warmly, whereas Rough Collie will let you know someone is at the door without being aggressive.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Otterhound and Rough Collie are an even match — either can work well.
For families with young children, Otterhound and Rough Collie are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Rough Collie has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Otterhound has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Otterhound and Rough Collie are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Otterhound if you prefer lower grooming upkeep.

Choose the Rough Collie if you want a longer-lived breed, you want an easier dog to train, or you want a more protective, watchful guardian.

Which dog do you look like?

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Otterhound or the Rough Collie better for families with children?: Both the Otterhound and the Rough Collie are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Otterhound or the Rough Collie?: The Otterhound and Rough Collie shed a similar amount (very high).
Which is easier to train, the Otterhound or the Rough Collie?: The Rough Collie is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is Otterhound or Rough Collie bigger?: Otterhound and Rough Collie are a similar size (Large).
Which barks more, Otterhound or Rough Collie?: Both bark a similar amount (medium).
Which is better for apartment living, Otterhound or Rough Collie?: For apartment or apartment living, Otterhound and Rough Collie are an even match — either can work well.

Otterhound vs Rough Collie