Showing Collies vs. Shelties

[Lightplum]

I did not attack any individual dog, or say they could not do the job. I just said they do not look the part. I am just as picky as anyone else, I am just picky in apparently the opposite way as far as the sheltie standard goes.

I really doubt that shelties, farther back in time, had the same appearence to show shelties today, people develope a breed to their tastes. The shelties in the show world just seem different. I didn't say different would not work for someone else, I am just saying that for me, I would not be able to have such a small sheltie. I didn't pick the smaller pups in Aztec's litter because I didn't want small, and I didn't realize how small show size really is. Most of the shelties I know are on the larger side. (Some even bigger than Aztec) The way that looks is not something I like. Just as someone might have a color preference (Just as I don't like merles quite as well as the other colors, but some people like merles the best)

Your right the original shelties back a 100 years or so were small!! They were all around 13" or even under. they tend to have the look of the english line which the head is a bit more snipier than the americian lines. the american lines are heavier boned than that of the english. In fact I found it interesting that the people who show in europe like shelties that are smaller than ours! I was amazed when I told someone in the netherlands that my girl was 14 1/2" and they said ohhh she would be on the larger side to show over here.

As far as the shelties that were being shown it depends on what part of the country you are in, I know they are still showing strong out west where as the east coast is pretty well vacant...Im showing this weekend and there is only 4 entered..low numbers but hope everyone shows up for the points!!

 

[Crystal1]

Aztec, you are right, everybody has different opinions in what they like in a dog. My husband used to have a collie he loved, but he got to 85 lbs and wanted to sit in the children's lap, and he carried away all the tables on his back. They had to make him an outside dog, because he was too large for the family. When he first saw our sheltie puppy he was so excited, finally a collie that could be a lap dog!! Everyone is different and you need to get the dog that makes you happy!! Best of luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Chris]

Aztec, I love both Collies and Shelties dearly! I agree -- Collies have a more aloof demeanor, that "look of eagles" Albert Payson Terhune described. I have Shelties now, but we just lost our big Collie Lassie. Every year I go to Sunnybank to get my Collie fix, and I work with Colie rescue. For me, I'm just glad God doubled our pleasure!!!

 

[BarbV]

Your right the original shelties back a 100 years or so were small!! They were all around 13" or even under. they tend to have the look of the english line which the head is a bit more snipier than the americian lines. the american lines are heavier boned than that of the english. In fact I found it interesting that the people who show in europe like shelties that are smaller than ours! I was amazed when I told someone in the netherlands that my girl was 14 1/2" and they said ohhh she would be on the larger side to show over here.

As far as the shelties that were being shown it depends on what part of the country you are in, I know they are still showing strong out west where as the east coast is pretty well vacant...Im showing this weekend and there is only 4 entered..low numbers but hope everyone shows up for the points!!

Lightplum is quite correct here. The European standard tends to lean towards a smaller, more delicate pup. However, the North Amercian standard, while staying within the size restraints, does ask for a less fine-boned animal.

I think what you are asking is the fundamental question: Are Shelties really just Miniature Collies? AH! Sacrilege!

And before anyone jumps on me, my answer is No. They might look somewhat similar, but their behaviour traits are substantially different.

Just throwing out for more discussion....

 

[Chris]

Lightplum is quite correct here. The European standard tends to lean towards a smaller, more delicate pup. However, the North Amercian standard, while staying within the size restraints, does ask for a less fine-boned animal.

I think what you are asking is the fundamental question: Are Shelties really just Miniature Collies? AH! Sacrilege!

And before anyone jumps on me, my answer is No. They might look somewhat similar, but their behaviour traits are substantially different.

Just throwing out for more discussion....

And if you "blew up" a Sheltie, the proportions would be way different. Wait -- does that sound as stupid as I think? Come on, you know what I mean!

 

[Aztec]

Shelties and collies are completely different breeds, everything about them. (Collies are very regal indeed, and shelties are happy little dogs) My first love was collies, but we didn't get one, because my older dog was dog aggressive with large dogs, and a sheltie fit the bill. So I naturally lean to the collie looking type, rather than the typical sheltie "look".

I am hoping that with work I can find someone that will let me work for them for free, in exchange for giving me some experience handling a collie so I can get a "feel" for them in the ring. My border collie mix has a quick gate, but is not nearly as big as a collie.

 

[Crestlynn]

I grew up with a Collie is was quite possibly one of the smartest dogs I have ever owned. And like others, wanted that same look in the smaller version so went to Shelties.

Now one the show side, Collies are certainly a breed, that (in my oppinion) have been bred more for beauty than brains! I can say this as I help one of the top Collie breeder's on the East Coast and possibly the country. I have been to their kennel, had their dogs in my home, and help them at many shows. These dogs can't compare to todays Shelties!

I just whelped a litter of 8 Collies as well as a few of my own Shelties. The Collies required either taking the babies and waking every few hours to give them back to eat or constantly checking on them to make sure they weren't laying on them! I have pig-rails in the whelping box but they are so big they pup would get lost under the rib cage area! It was like having an infant again! The Shelties were no problem at all and all I had to do was peak in on them once in awhile (hey, I was up anyway LOL).

The grooming is similar but, as someone else said, Shelties are much more done up. Collies are very active and that can be a nuisance on the grooming table! They are also very strong and if not taught some basic manners, can be a pain in the rear to control at a show!

I also don't know (and I could be wrong here) that many Collies are versatile dogs like many of the Shelties are able to be. They are either pet, show, or performance but they can't seem to get it all together in one dog!

They are extremely beautiful creatures and I am fortunate to be able to be around some of the best of the best! But a little goes a long way

I, personally, think that a Sheltie is all around smarter, easier to live with, is more in tune to their 'person', and much, much, much smaller...even the bigger ones!

 

[BarbV]

I, personally, think that a Sheltie is all around smarter, easier to live with, is more in tune to their 'person', and much, much, much smaller...even the bigger ones!

And this is why we are all nut-cases about our furbabies! Nice sum up!

 

[HopeShelties]

I also don't know (and I could be wrong here) that many Collies are versatile dogs like many of the Shelties are able to be. They are either pet, show, or performance but they can't seem to get it all together in one dog!

I can tell you this. After watching them at agility trials, they don't have the speed. I have yet to see one that can actually be competitive in their height division because they run SO SLOW. Shelties on the other hand can be downright fast. Kovu, my friend Debbie's MACH dog, has competed against, and beaten, some border collies.

 

[jazzyfizzle]

Well I have to add that I have never once been impressed with any collie I watched worked at a herding trial. They seem to be in their own little world- and it is not the same one as their owner. LOL

Yep, like Stacey was talking about, size has nothing at all to do with moving livestock around, it is complete attitude and confidence.
My instructor first summed it up to me this way... this is like my putting you in a ring with an elephant for the first time, with no equipment, no touching the elephant, nothing... and telling you that you have to move that elephant around the ring and get it to do what you want it to. What gets that elephant to move?.. the elephant convinced that it's best interest would be to listen to you.
At first.. livestock sum up a dog by site, and then figure out super quick if that summation was on target. They are not as dumb as they look. (the sheep that is of course!)

It reading your undertones and from typed word, it sounds like the collie would be the direction for you.