Shelties vs. Collies

Is the collie temperment different than shelties, are they less sensitive? I am just wondering if collies would put up with rough and tumble kids more than shelties. My boys are rather loud especially when I have a housefull of teenage boys :rolleyes2: I find that my shelties dont really care for the loudness, and they dont like to wrestle with the boys.

I wonder if a collie would have been a better choice for me. :o Not that I dont love my shelties, i just think they are happier during the day when the kids are all in school.
 
My collie is laaaaaazy. Can't be bothered to get off the sofa to go out sometimes. She is also always the last to come in from outside, and always the last to come up the stairs. My friend swears she comes with her own soundtrack.
 
I can't speak for all collies, but my collie loved being around people, including kids, and would put up with all sorts of things. I think he found crazy behavior on the part of humans to be fun, and he would follow everyone around everywhere when he had the chance. At the same time, he was pretty laid back and easygoing and friendly to everyone.

Based on the answers to my original question, it would appear that shelties are in general more sensitive than collies, but that it would also depend on the individual sheltie or collie.
 
bekkilyn said:
Based on the answers to my original question, it would appear that shelties are in general more sensitive than collies, but that it would also depend on the individual sheltie or collie.
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I dont know anything about collies, but i know with Gizmo, it depends on the situation and noise. There are some noises he really doesnt like (like the printer:rolleyes2:) but things like the blender and vacuum dont bother him. as far as kids go, he does great with my daughter, but then even though she isnt even 2 yet, she isnt nearly as um... screechy (?) and loud as other kids. i know he doesnt like her to cry but i actually think that is more because he doesnt want to see her cry, rather then being to sensitive to the noise. :yes: as to other kids, it depends. he loves to chase my nephews around the yard, but can be kinda jumpy if they get really close and move fast right next to him. But then he doesnt really like to be around my family because they are just always loud. so yeah, with him it depends on the situation as to how he deals with noise and people being rambunctious.
 
My collie was literally terrified of the vacuum cleaner...and the hair dryer. I couldn't imagine him being worried about the blender though. I think he liked everything in the kitchen in hopes of getting a treat or an ice cube. :)
 
Well, you are not asking the most un-biased group for an opinion. Of course, we will all say Sheltie!!!!!!!

They look similar for sure, so if you like the look, you'll get it with either Sheltie or Collie.

And for "alerts", I maintain that a Sheltie is better than a Collie if Timmy ever falls into the well! Shelties are experts at alerts!

I swear that Indy has extra-sensory perception.....even when he's in the house, he senses when a dog and human walker is about to walk by. He goes nuts even before I can see anyone. It's totally uncanny! And totally annoying! Bark, bark, bark!

So if you can live with barking over crazy things like blow dryers or imaginary dog reflections in windows, then a Sheltie is great! Perfect sized dog....not too big, not too small. Smart, affectionate, clean, beautiful......if you can get over their brain farts......
 
I'm perfectly okay with the barking. Being alerted is one of the reasons why I want to have a dog in the house, and it seems shelties have great watchdog capabilities.

Shelties do seem to be the perfect size too! I want a dog that I can easily pick up, and that was a real struggle with the collie...poor thing. :)
 
I would take a sheltie over a collie any day. I like the extra energy and spark shelties have. All the collies I've been around are far too calm for my tastes.

Although, all you saying shelties are manipulative should try living in a house full of papillons. :lol: People always ask the difference between living with shelties versus paps and my first response is that shelties are nice.
 
I always tell people the big difference is in the purpose. Shelties were bred to herd semi-wild sheep (and other small, strong willed domesticated animals) up rugged mountains on a wild, wind swept island, keep birds off the crops and be a watch dog, and in the winters could still be brought into the house to be with the family. Rough Collies were bred to stand on a hill top and calmly watch over their flocks with their shephard. So basically crazy vs dignified calm.

I also think shelties have a lot more stamina than Rough Collies.
 
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Years ago I had two shelties, two cats, and one huge collie. The collie was always calm and dignified. The shelties loved running around barking like shelties tend to do and were quite mischievous and way too smart. The collie was smart and fun but in a quiet way. And the kitties, well I must admit that they ruled the roost. One even fetched better than the dogs. I loved them all.
 
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