Mini Collie? AKC says so.

[BarbV]

There is no question that the very basic look of a Sheltie and a Collie are the same and therefore easy why Sheltie's have been dubbed miniature collies.

I really am interested in how this thread is going. The borzoi connection with respect to Collies is new to me. And maybe that's the distinction?????

If you look at other breeds. You've got Pincher and mini-Pins. Same breed, yet smaller. Same I think Poodles. American Eskimos all come in different sizes....but they they are called the same breed.

I don't think Shelties fall into that same category....but how to explain to outsiders. Or even to explain it to ourselves? I've struggled with this for years. The more I think about the look of a Borzoi and the look of a Collie vs. a Sheltie.....hmmmmmm!

 

[k9kreationz]

Usually I hear the "oh, they're mini Lassie's" and then I usually correct them and say, "although they look like Collie's they're not mini Collies, they're Shelties".

By saying AKC is making it more difficult, I realize Shelties have Rough Collie in them, but they aren't like a toy Poodle (same breed, just determined by size).

Also, except for conformation people, I honestly don't know anyone who has ever referred to Lassie as a "rough collie". Heck, I rarely even see smooth collies and didn't even know they existed for much of my life. (sorry Collie people)

It's like saying a Harrier is basically a Beagle because it looks like one. I'm sure Harrier people hate that.

 

[2GoodDogs]

a local breeder jokingly refers to my super size boy as a Shollie. It fits.

I see two big influences in the shelties, the Pomeranian and the Rough Collie.... weren't both used to help set type in today's American shelties?

 

[Mignarda]

a local breeder jokingly refers to my super size boy as a Shollie. It fits.

I think I've got one of those as well. Dickens at eight months now weighs 34 pounds at 20 inches. His mother was a really big Sheltie; the first time I saw her I mistook her for a Collie. All the pups looked big, even though their dad was a little Blue Merle at eighteen pounds!

Here's a shot of Dickens taken yesterday. I see lots of "Borzoi" in that head, though I think he's still got some growing into it to do.

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u654/Mignarda/STA70030_zpse62d2fe0.jpg

 

[Tabitha]

I think I've got one of those as well. Dickens at eight months now weighs 34 pounds at 20 inches. His mother was a really big Sheltie; the first time I saw her I mistook her for a Collie. All the pups looked big, even though their dad was a little Blue Merle at eighteen pounds!

Here's a shot of Dickens taken yesterday. I see lots of "Borzoi" in that head, though I think he's still got some growing into it to do.

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u654/Mignarda/STA70030_zpse62d2fe0.jpg

Wow! I looked at the pic of him at five months and he's bigger than F-kap and Jody! I tell people that they are a little on the tall side for a sheltie, but after seeing Dickens as a pup I think my babies are pretty small! But Dickens sure is a cutie!

 

[Jaynie]

That's been in the AKC's description for over 20 years that I know of.

 

[dixiechick]

Not a Collie!

I have had two Collies in my life time - both wonderful dogs. Now I have a Sheltie! By looking at especially behavior and breed specifics - there is so much difference. Shelties are defiantly a breed of their own. Only looks are similar!

 

[Mignarda]

I really am interested in how this thread is going. The borzoi connection with respect to Collies is new to me. And maybe that's the distinction?????

The thing about the Collie head is that the stop is either nonexistent or very small, whereas with the Sheltie there's supposed to be a definite stop. This might very well have to do with the degree of Borzoi extant.

Another thing about the Sheltie that I don't see as much of in the Collie is the body length. My wife was looking at Dickens the other day and laughingly observed that when he stood up straight he reminded her of a centaur, with his long body and rear end that seems to stick up. I'm not sure I see this in the Collie.

 

[BarbV]

The thing about the Collie head is that the stop is either nonexistent or very small, whereas with the Sheltie there's supposed to be a definite stop. This might very well have to do with the degree of Borzoi extant.

Another thing about the Sheltie that I don't see as much of in the Collie is the body length. My wife was looking at Dickens the other day and laughingly observed that when he stood up straight he reminded her of a centaur, with his long body and rear end that seems to stick up. I'm not sure I see this in the Collie.

I tend to agree with your assessment as to the stop. I wish I knew more or had time to explore this avenue further because it would/could finally make a distinction between the collie and sheltie.

I had to laugh at your wife's description of Dickens....that describes my Bacca perfectly. Long body and elevated butt. Compared to Indy who has that more European, fine boned look, and shorter body. Another thinkgto track in Sheltie standards....differences between North American and European dogs because I believe they I have evolved quite differenting.

 

[danisgoat]

I am one of those people who really don't get upset when someone calls my girls a mini-collie. I tell them the correct breed, but honestly I am just happy they took an interest in my dog.

Anyway...I am resurrecting this thread, as I got an email this morning from tri-state sheltie rescue and I thought this was an interesting read. I wanted to share it here:

We thought this was pretty interesting - We had an email from a young girl wanting to not foster, but walk, hang out and play with the "collies' with her friends. WELL, turned out Chiara was not in the United States, but was from the SHETLAND ISLANDS! She told me that Shelties are oftentimes called little Collies there and I asked her to send me a photo of her last Sheltie whose name was Cassy for us to post. Look at Cassy coat - it seems so much more dense then our females and her ruff is so, so much lion like. The weather is very harsh most of the time in the Shetland Islands, Chiara said, lots of rain and wind, just like we read that the Sheltie coat is made for,

Just thought this was so cool, had to share! Thanks Chiara for sharing Cassy with us!