Collies vs. Shelties

[iusara]

I don't have much experience with Collies but I thought I'd add in my personal experiences with Shelties. I've found that Shelties are generally high strung and would love nothing more than to run and bark all day. Of course, there are exceptions as with any breed.. my boys are laid back most of the time. They get their occasional "bark, chase, bark, ball, bark, bark, bark" moments.

They're known for being barkers (yeah, I know.. it can be "trained" out of them.. but it still comes VERY naturally to Shelties) as well as being "reserved" with strangers. Both my boys hold conversations (LOL) and are reserved with strangers as well.

Yeah, my shetland sheepdog never stops barking.

[buttercup132]

This is kind of a old thread

[borzoimom]

I like collies better.. They have less yap to them, and seem to also be more laid back ... I also like a bigger dog as well.. I dont need a dog to tell me everything in the house- I want a dog that will ACCEPT everything in the house- I choose- A COLLIE...

[MajesticCollies]

The sheltie Breed originated at the groomers when the little hairless mixed breed spilled glue on them and stood under the collie as it had its grooming. Thus giving the little hairless mixbreed a beautiful coat like the collie.

Yes Collies do bark but not all the time and for no reason. My God don't you talk, voice opinions. My Collies bark in a way of communication.
I don't have a problem with barking dogs. My collies are great temperment loyal, intellegent. I wouldn't have anything else.
And for thier time spent in the house. My collies lay around and sleep all day unless you force them to play.
And when people come over to the house, well its my house and if you don't like being greeted by the thundering herd, uhhhh don't come over. lol

[borzoimom]

I agree.. I had 3 collies and they were great in the house. And barks were of importance to me, not just for the heck of it... I had one sheltie, and she never shut up.... made me nutso...Brandy "cried wolf" alllllllllllllllllll the time... it really got oldddddddddddddddd to me..

[gardengirl]

Good discussion! I used to hear the 'brains being bred out' way back in the 70's. It's kind of like a rumor that came from a joke about the narrow heads. Not true! I've had collies for 35 years. My last four were therapy dogs over the past 17 years. They're wonderful dogs and I find them to be very flexible when it comes to energy. If there's a dog party or playtime, they're ready and willing. When it's time to veg-out, they're perfectly happy lying at your feet, all day if necessary. I have done the therapy dog work, conformation, obedience, flyball, rally, and most recently dancing. You should see my Bailey dance! So much energy. But he can be a lazy boy, too. They're great dogs, but they do have a barking issue, especially if left outside alone.

[borzoimom]

gardengirl- man you have some pretty collies! I love your picture you have posted!

[Love That Collie]

The sheltie Breed originated at the groomers when the little hairless mixed breed spilled glue on them and stood under the collie as it had its grooming. Thus giving the little hairless mixbreed a beautiful coat like the collie.

Yes Collies do bark but not all the time and for no reason. My God don't you talk, voice opinions. My Collies bark in a way of communication.
I don't have a problem with barking dogs. My collies are great temperment loyal, intellegent. I wouldn't have anything else.
And for thier time spent in the house. My collies lay around and sleep all day unless you force them to play.
And when people come over to the house, well its my house and if you don't like being greeted by the thundering herd, uhhhh don't come over. lol

Ditto Tim.... you and GardenGirl said it.
I have 2 Collies at present and have had 5. Wonderful in the house because that's where they belong, they are not outside dogs. I have one barker (Bailey) but not that bad and one that's not so interested in barking (Chloe). They can run through the house and not knock over a thing. They are docile and also very playful, they kinda just go with the flow and can be a couch potato. They train very easily and are very much "pleasers" and very happy, gentle dogs who want to be with their humans, the more humans the better they don't like to be alone. When it's bedtime, Bailey herds Chloe into her place then puts himself to bed.

[Genny]

I'm glad someone asked the differences. I have had a collie (best dog I've ever had!) but, I've always wondered how a sheltie is.

I have thought about getting another collie someday, but I want a dog that would get along with ducks. Which breed would do better--collie or sheltie???

[borzoimom]

I'm glad someone asked the differences. I have had a collie (best dog I've ever had!) but, I've always wondered how a sheltie is.

I have thought about getting another collie someday, but I want a dog that would get along with ducks. Which breed would do better--collie or sheltie???

I would say a collie for ducks. Ducks will scatter if they moved too fast. I saw a show on tv that showed a working group of collies- they handled from sheep to ducks. A collie has more patience to let the ducks move themselves without making them go faster.
As far as the barking, I dont mind if a dog barks if someone comes to the door- ( I wish mine did.. haha) but as I said- nothing everything deserves an announcment as I noticed with the one I had. She even barked in obedience trails.. lol..