Shelties vs. Collies

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bekkilyn

Forums Novice
Hi all,

I'm considering getting a Sheltie sometime next year, so I've started doing some research. From what I've read so far and seen in Shelties that I've met in the past, it seems like our personalities would be compatible. One of our family dogs when I was growing up was a collie, and he was the sweetest, smartest, and most loving dog. I'd love to get another collie, but now I'm a single person living alone and a collie's size would just be too big for me to manage on my own.

How similar in temperament are shelties to collies? What are the primary differences?
 
I am a former collie person--probably owned at least 12 collies over the years, so getting a sheltie was a very new thing for me. They are alot more hyper than a collie, and are very intelligent. Sometime their brains work at 500 miles an hour, making it hard for them to understand what you are trying to convey to them. My little guy was a rescue and trying to figure what went on in his first year of life to make him act the way he does is a challenge. All in all great dogs and a big challenge for the owners--keeps both of us sharp!! Always said I would always have a collie, now I will always have a sheltie.
 
I love Collies! My mom's dearest friend was a Collie breeder-judge, and I worked for Collie handlers as a kid at dog shows. As Sheltie people, we tend to think Collies are sort of slow and stupid... and the Collie people seem to think that Shelties are hyper and stupid!

Here's the real difference: Shelties and Collies are both very intelligent. However, a Collie uses her intelligence to do nice things for you - but a Sheltie uses her intelligence to get away with stuff! :lol: It's a bit of a joke, but by and large, I think it's true.

I also find Collies to be a lot more "clingy" than Shelties. They want to be next to you, they want to be on top of you, they want to be touching you all the time. Shelties, on the other hand, generally want to be near you (think: the dog that follows you from room to room while you do chores and just watches), but they don't necessarily want to be touching you.
 
Boy you hit that on the nose with what collies do with their knowledge--for you, and shelties to see what they can get away with. My husband calls Harley his little man--fits him perfect!
 
I've never owned a collie but know a couple who are on their second one. Both were males, but the first one was so laid back and sweet as pie. Their current collie is hyper and gets in your face and barks constantly, which is enough to drive you crazy.

Just remember that each dog comes with his or her own personality and bigger dogs make bigger poo...lol.
 
I think Tofu Pup hit the nail on the head. Collies do cling more. Yet they also have a dignity and presence that holds your gaze. My Lassie had an amazing sense of humor and was incredible full of brains and character. I'm madly in love with both and will probably have a Collie again some day -- but ALWAYS a Sheltie, too!!!
 
lol yes they do come across that collies think they are lapdogs!! :lol: and Shelties think they are collie size!

Ive spent the last few weekend shows with handlers/breeders who own both collies and shelties...so ive had some time to admire the collies as well!!!!! I even told them after spending this past weekend with a puppy that if I had the room id probably have that token collie, just like the collie people have that token sheltie!! :lol: Ive seen with the neighbors collie where the collies are much more laid back and less intense than Shelties! Collies dont try to out think their owners like Shelties do!!
 
As Tofu Pup said, my dearest friend that passed away, Tess Esch, of Signet Collies was a blast to watch with her collies. They were always aware of their size, and though they were clingy, they could fall into line and not be a nudge.
Her collies were so well trained, that she could ex 2 of them on tiny flexy-leads while talking to her husband on the cell phone. They never pulled against the leash. But....I always felt my shelties were smarter.:wink2:
 
I think I may have a Collie, not a Sheltie. As I type this, Koji is in my lap because he gets needy. I gave in since I'm leaving for 5 days. But he has to be on us, next to us, etc. Ugh! He's tall too, so maybe he's a Collie. Oh, but wait, he's naughty in the Sheltie way, so, now I'm not too sure. hehehe.

It's interesting to learn about the differences.
 
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