Shelties vs. Collies
- Thread starter bekkilyn
- Start date
Emmasmom
Forums Sage
An acquaintance from church was in today to see Dad and saw me three. By the time, he left he was ready to get a Sheltie. I have almost convinced my good friend that she needs a Sheltie to make up for her neurotic puppy mill-bred, white Schnauzer.
That's awesome! Sometimes I'm really pleased with myself when I convert someone to the Sheltie breed. Other times... not so much. I have a friend who also now wants a Sheltie because she likes Lerwick so much. I am actually trying to (tactfully) discourage this, because I do not think she's the right owner for a Sheltie. Or ANY OTHER DOG, frankly. She has a Great Pyr, Izzy. Her boyfriend got Izzy for her several years ago... they paid $50 for her, were told she was 6 weeks old, then came to find she was only 4 weeks old. And although Izzy is definitely not lacking in love from my friend, she is definitely lacking in proper care. The poor dog's only exercise (by my friend's own admission) is when she goes outside to relieve herself. Even though, according to my friend, Great Pyrs are prone to cancer if they don't get enough exercise.
This dog is not a nice dog, either. Totally untrained. I really don't want to see a Sheltie in that mess. Especially because I know this girl would get a Sheltie the same way she got her Great Pyr, and the last thing I want is to be responsible--no matter in how small a part--for someone supporting a puppymill/backyard breeder. 
Now, the awesome family who fell in love with Lerwick at the dog park on Tuesday? I am totally ok if they decide they need to add a Sheltie to their lives in the near future.
sarasomething
Forums Enthusiast
i'm also afraid of convincing people that they want a shelt. i try to warn them how much work shelties are!
cthulhucometh
Forums Regular
I have had a few border collies throughout my life and they have to be the smartest dog alive but from my research into think about getting a sheltie for size suggest that they are extremely intelligent. I love all herding dogs and anything like a collie or a sheltie are super smart. But one thing to consider after having different types of dogs, they are only as smart as their owner. Lots of "mutts" have done amazing tricks and such. Take any dog and put alot of time into him or her and they will be smart. But that's just my opinion after being raised with dogs all my life and especially the herding dogs like border collie and Australian kelpies.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
I tend to disagree here. I think ALL dogs need work unique to their breed. But there is nothing terribly unique about Shelties that way.
Shelties can be work in that they tend to be high strung and need some mental challenge. But not work in the same way that a border collie or aussie needs constant physical activity.
A Sheltie can adopt well to apartment life, if you provide enough mental stimulation ....and that's not far different from any dog.
But you do have to beware of the fat Sheltie syndrome. Without alot of physical exercise, they will put on the pounds, and happy doing it!
So if your lifestyle is more sedentary, then you need t make sure that you restrict diet accordingly.
I'm always trying to convince people that shelties are the best breed ever but sometimes I just think some people aren't fit to own any dog at all. There is such bad animal welfare here and the spca's can only intervene if the dog doesn't have water, food and shelter. They can feed it until its obese, never walk it, leave outside in a really basic kennel and never train it. And if they get the dog taken off them for whatever reason, there is nothing to stop them getting another dog the very next day. We have a dog licence here you just pay for and it would be awesome if you at least had to do a basic test and could get it revoked for treating animals badly.
Back on topic, shelties are awesome!
They are super intelligent, which is why they rule agility in the smaller sizes and border collies rule the larger sizes.
Back on topic, shelties are awesome!
They are super intelligent, which is why they rule agility in the smaller sizes and border collies rule the larger sizes.
copper5228
Forums Enthusiast
I am a Sheltie girl, through and through!!! BUT, having met several Collies, would totally consider one!! Not all Shelties are hyper, or even more hyper than a Collie might be. My Timmy is the most laid-back, easy-going dog I have ever met, and he's a Sheltie. He's 10 now, but has been this way since puppyhood. Collies make fantastic friends and comnpanions (as Collies do, too). All need exercise, and all bark -- naturally, some more than others. I say go for the Sheltie!! Best wishes!
