Difference in Temperment of Sheltie/Collie

chat fest

I can say that my shelties all have tried to verbalize!! And it is a whole other tone than the sound the alarm bark. Savannah has developed this ability to say what sounds like "hi". In the morning when we all are waking up, I tell both the girls good morning, hi there. And every once in a while Savannah has this response that comes out like "hi". Savannah wants to speak so badly and enter in convo's.

I love to watch my friend's collies, Joy & Buddy with Savannah & Kaleigh...when they are out romping and tearing up the mt., the chatting that goes on between them all is hilarious-they definitely are communicating/talking with various tones and pitches...Joy is quite vocal...she RULES the mountain. She patrols on their wraparound deck, and can see the whole valley, and announces EVERYTHING. Different tones for various activities, and when inside she adds to conversations. If she doesn't like something, she lets you know. She gets the last bark in. Everyone talks to Joy like she understands english, and I think she does, ha. If she is told to be quiet...she moans in protest. And Buddy will come over and nuzzle her-which to me is SO precious.
 
I considered a Collie before I got my young Sheltie boy. I like them, but I wanted to be more competitive in agility and I couldn't find a working Collie breeder...just lots of pretty conformation dogs that didn't have the drive to work or the speed to do what I wanted. So I decided on a herding/agility Sheltie line and I'm SO happy I did. If I had children though and needed a dog that was accepting of a little roughhousing etc. I would have decided on a Collie OR a sable conformation line Sheltie. I know...I'm really generalizing here, but I'm basing that on my own experience. My two "black" Shelties remind me of Border Collies. They are borderline crazy - work all day, play all day. My (ex conformation) Sable is a registered Therapy Dog who doesn't have the desire to play agility or work sheep. She LOVES kids, people, dogs, cats...everyone. Laid back, friendly..she's similar to most Collies I've met. But hey, remember that dogs are individuals and trust your own judgement!!
 
Hello, and I have oned both breeds

I am new here so Hello. While my first was a male rough Collie, I now have two Shelties.
I started in 1987 with "King" became an 70lb LARGE Collie, who's back reached mid thigh upon maturity ( I'm very tall 5'11') He would could pull kids on the sled, He unstuffed our mattress as a puppy, He could devour an entire loaf of bread in the time it takes to return from the car with the second armload of groceries, and on several occasions disappeared for hours after a few white tailed deer ( he often ended up a mile form home at the local sportsman's club and bar, go figure). Yes they can clear a low fence. STILL He was MY joy...a handful at times, much harder to bathe and groom, BUT a PURE JOY and protective of the property and family. He was capable of knocking down 6 year olds, so Id worry about toddlers in doorways or around stairs when the feed bowl get filled. Sound the CHARGE! He did not steal food from the hands of babes, just from the counter if you were not looking. HE was a the laid back, impish, adorable mellow fellow!
The shelties on the other hand are a bit more hyper, squirrel chasers, chipmunk killers on a rare occasion. Trash can invaders at times. Bark more, are more neb-nosey including bath time for the humans, and other private moments. They are Insistent that any dark clothing you have is covered in white hair. One of ours we call the alligator, when treats get offered...so our family must be well trained to hand feed properly. The other licks the dishwasher door when open... Two fit in our bed better than the one 70lb Collie, and when they lay their heads on you is not so limb numbing. YET when corrected they obey better than the Collie did.
Honestly I 'd say our Shetlands are smarter too, I'm become convince they speak our language secretly. And that they can even SPELL. :wink2:

So with all the bad things I've outted them for...I would not trade it for the world. If you want a dog that communicates with you, understands you like a human, get a sheltie. If you want a friendly dog that is still a dog at heart get a collie.
 
Cherie said:
I am new here so Hello. While my first was a male rough Collie, I now have two Shelties.
I started in 1987 with "King" became an 70lb LARGE Collie, who's back reached mid thigh upon maturity ( I'm very tall 5'11') He would could pull kids on the sled, He unstuffed our mattress as a puppy, He could devour an entire loaf of bread in the time it takes to return from the car with the second armload of groceries, and on several occasions disappeared for hours after a few white tailed deer ( he often ended up a mile form home at the local sportsman's club and bar, go figure). Yes they can clear a low fence. STILL He was MY joy...a handful at times, much harder to bathe and groom, BUT a PURE JOY and protective of the property and family. He was capable of knocking down 6 year olds, so Id worry about toddlers in doorways or around stairs when the feed bowl get filled. Sound the CHARGE! He did not steal food from the hands of babes, just from the counter if you were not looking. HE was a the laid back, impish, adorable mellow fellow!
The shelties on the other hand are a bit more hyper, squirrel chasers, chipmunk killers on a rare occasion. Trash can invaders at times. Bark more, are more neb-nosey including bath time for the humans, and other private moments. They are Insistent that any dark clothing you have is covered in white hair. One of ours we call the alligator, when treats get offered...so our family must be well trained to hand feed properly. The other licks the dishwasher door when open... Two fit in our bed better than the one 70lb Collie, and when they lay their heads on you is not so limb numbing. YET when corrected they obey better than the Collie did.
Honestly I 'd say our Shetlands are smarter too, I'm become convince they speak our language secretly. And that they can even SPELL. :wink2:

So with all the bad things I've outted them for...I would not trade it for the world. If you want a dog that communicates with you, understands you like a human, get a sheltie. If you want a friendly dog that is still a dog at heart get a collie.
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I concur!!!! Shelties are such a companion animal, and so intuitive with their owners, it is uncanny at times.:eek2: And seriously, I don't think they understand that they aren't humans. Mine have all become an appendage, the bonding has gone so deep. I have tried diligently to train and expose them, but the real instruction has been for me. I cherish the life lessons they have brought my way!
 
tesslynn said:
I concur!!!! Shelties are such a companion animal, and so intuitive with their owners, it is uncanny at times.:eek2: And seriously, I don't think they understand that they aren't humans. Mine have all become an appendage, the bonding has gone so deep. I have tried diligently to train and expose them, but the real instruction has been for me. I cherish the life lessons they have brought my way!
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Oh tesslyn That is so apt a description of shelties especially the bonding Nd "like an appendage". That's alot of beauty for a woman in what i think are my last weeks with my "appendage" to handle. A beautiful decription and perfect description but emotional.
 
Cherie said:
I am new here so Hello. While my first was a male rough Collie, I now have two Shelties.
I started in 1987 with "King" became an 70lb LARGE Collie, who's back reached mid thigh upon maturity ( I'm very tall 5'11') He would could pull kids on the sled, He unstuffed our mattress as a puppy, He could devour an entire loaf of bread in the time it takes to return from the car with the second armload of groceries, and on several occasions disappeared for hours after a few white tailed deer ( he often ended up a mile form home at the local sportsman's club and bar, go figure). Yes they can clear a low fence. STILL He was MY joy...a handful at times, much harder to bathe and groom, BUT a PURE JOY and protective of the property and family. He was capable of knocking down 6 year olds, so Id worry about toddlers in doorways or around stairs when the feed bowl get filled. Sound the CHARGE! He did not steal food from the hands of babes, just from the counter if you were not looking. HE was a the laid back, impish, adorable mellow fellow!
The shelties on the other hand are a bit more hyper, squirrel chasers, chipmunk killers on a rare occasion. Trash can invaders at times. Bark more, are more neb-nosey including bath time for the humans, and other private moments. They are Insistent that any dark clothing you have is covered in white hair. One of ours we call the alligator, when treats get offered...so our family must be well trained to hand feed properly. The other licks the dishwasher door when open... Two fit in our bed better than the one 70lb Collie, and when they lay their heads on you is not so limb numbing. YET when corrected they obey better than the Collie did.
Honestly I 'd say our Shetlands are smarter too, I'm become convince they speak our language secretly. And that they can even SPELL. :wink2:

So with all the bad things I've outted them for...I would not trade it for the world. If you want a dog that communicates with you, understands you like a human, get a sheltie. If you want a friendly dog that is still a dog at heart get a collie.
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Cherie, I love your descriptions! Your description of King fits my Darby to a tee. And your summary of Shelties is spot on for my little Birdie, my Sheltie\Chihuahua mix who crossed the bridge last year (Here's a link to a piccy, 'cause I love this photo so much: http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Ceceoh/media/birdanddarbyportrait-1.jpg.html Sadly, I haven't seen the loving "appendage" with my rescue Sheltie, Ida. I think the very qualities that make Shetland Sheepdogs such great companion animals leads to some very strong emotional problems when they have been abused. I adopted my little Ida May hoping for a bond like I had with Birdie, but instead I found a little broken spirit who may never completely trust me. I will never give up on her, and she has a home for life, but there are some days I feel very sad, wishing I could have had Ida for her whole life, so I could see the dog she was supposed to be.
 
Horse Chestnut said:
Cherie, I love your descriptions! Your description of King fits my Darby to a tee. And your summary of Shelties is spot on for my little Birdie, my Sheltie\Chihuahua mix who crossed the bridge last year (Here's a link to a piccy, 'cause I love this photo so much: http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Ceceoh/media/birdanddarbyportrait-1.jpg.html Sadly, I haven't seen the loving "appendage" with my rescue Sheltie, Ida. I think the very qualities that make Shetland Sheepdogs such great companion animals leads to some very strong emotional problems when they have been abused. I adopted my little Ida May hoping for a bond like I had with Birdie, but instead I found a little broken spirit who may never completely trust me. I will never give up on her, and she has a home for life, but there are some days I feel very sad, wishing I could have had Ida for her whole life, so I could see the dog she was supposed to be.
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that is a great pic:yes:

how long have you had Ida?
My rescue girl took a while (months) to be comfortable in a new home and with a new dog and new person. actually having the other dog really helped her realize that everything was ok. she followed him around like a little sister follows the big brother.
 
Horse Chestnut said:
Cherie, I love your descriptions! Your description of King fits my Darby to a tee. And your summary of Shelties is spot on for my little Birdie, my Sheltie\Chihuahua mix who crossed the bridge last year (Here's a link to a piccy, 'cause I love this photo so much: http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Ceceoh/media/birdanddarbyportrait-1.jpg.html Sadly, I haven't seen the loving "appendage" with my rescue Sheltie, Ida. I think the very qualities that make Shetland Sheepdogs such great companion animals leads to some very strong emotional problems when they have been abused. I adopted my little Ida May hoping for a bond like I had with Birdie, but instead I found a little broken spirit who may never completely trust me. I will never give up on her, and she has a home for life, but there are some days I feel very sad, wishing I could have had Ida for her whole life, so I could see the dog she was supposed to be.
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OH Sweetness, How could anyone not want to squishy cuddle those faces! And it reminded me of years ago when I had King, my dad had a very small Pomeranian ( 3lbs). It was so cute to see the small one curl up and nap next to the FULL sized Collie.

I'm glad you will never give up on your rescue, sometime broken things just can't be repaired. Trust most of all.
Shelties ARE sensitive and DO have human emotions much more than average dogs. I bet most people think we are biased, but its not the truth.

Thank you for sharing those cuties with us!:hugs
 
Calliesmom said:
that is a great pic:yes:

how long have you had Ida?
My rescue girl took a while (months) to be comfortable in a new home and with a new dog and new person. actually having the other dog really helped her realize that everything was ok. she followed him around like a little sister follows the big brother.
Click to expand...
I've had Ida about four months now. She has not really bonded with Darby, at least as far as showing affection. She does follow him if he alerts to something and starts to bark, but that's about it. She is so fearful of me in some ways though. She doesn't like to be approached by anyone standing, so I have to get down on the floor. Holding out a plate of food to her is scary, too, even if it is a spoonful of lovely, stinky cat food! I've found the best way to draw her near is to sit down and start playing with Darby or the cats, completely ignoring her and making no eye contact. Then she will approach like a little grey ghost, nudging my arm with her nose or licking my hand. I can then slowly offer her the food. This is after 4 months. She does run up to me when I come home from work, play bowing and barking her funny, half-silenced bark. But only comes so far. Small steps.
 
Horse Chestnut said:
I've had Ida about four months now. She has not really bonded with Darby, at least as far as showing affection. She does follow him if he alerts to something and starts to bark, but that's about it. She is so fearful of me in some ways though. She doesn't like to be approached by anyone standing, so I have to get down on the floor. Holding out a plate of food to her is scary, too, even if it is a spoonful of lovely, stinky cat food! I've found the best way to draw her near is to sit down and start playing with Darby or the cats, completely ignoring her and making no eye contact. Then she will approach like a little grey ghost, nudging my arm with her nose or licking my hand. I can then slowly offer her the food. This is after 4 months. She does run up to me when I come home from work, play bowing and barking her funny, half-silenced bark. But only comes so far. Small steps.
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for a rescue, 4 months isn't that long. some will come out of their shell faster but most will take longer.
Patience is the key- let her initiate everything so she doesn't get scared or associate you with bad things.

we've had several members document their rescue journey- Woodbender is one and Tagg is another- search for the threads that they started about Claire and Tinsel. Tagg and Tinsel is mostly one long thread with updates and Woodbender and Claire's story is a series of threads.
with the dates in the threads you can see how long it can take to reach a milestone of any kind.
 
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