Collie and Sheltie: differences and similarities of breeds

Mini collies (also called shelties) are not just dogs with beautiful appearance, but real intellectuals. It’s not for nothing that they take 6th place in the list of the smartest animals. Shelties have earned special love among dog breeders due to their kindness, affection and activity.

Mini collie is a cheerful friend and a great companion

History of the breed

The breed is considered relatively young. It was officially registered at the beginning of the 20th century. The homeland of the animals is the Shetland Islands, and the ancestors of dogs of several groups are considered: Norwegian Buhunds, Yukis, Icelandic Shepherds and Spitz.

Mini collie is a herding dog, which peasants called nothing more than “tiny dog,” which translated means “tiny dog,” that is, a small collie. The pets helped herd the animals and also moved them. Over time, having appreciated the working qualities of the Sheltie Collie, peasants began to use them as guards.

The breed first became known in the 19th century, when guests on the islands began to pay attention to the dogs and asked local residents to sell them. Having realized that puppies bring good income, their breeding was put on stream. However, breeders continued to improve the breed. The official standard was established in the 20th century.

During the First and Second World Wars, breeding of pets was suspended and the breed was on the verge of extinction. But after the war, several of its representatives remained and selection was resumed.

Important! The breed's popularity increased in 2005 after the release of the film Lassie.

Subtleties of living in a city apartment

Despite the fact that the dog is modest in size, its coat is very thick and requires careful care. To prevent it from getting into clumps, it needs to be combed out daily. In addition, vitamin supplements for wool will not be superfluous.

As for the diet, it should contain dairy products (at least once a week), meat, vegetables and grains. These little dogs are real gourmands: they are able to absorb food in huge quantities. For this reason, the owner will have to limit his pet’s food intake, since obesity is a fairly common problem for representatives of this breed.

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Shetland Sheepdogs are considered very timid animals. They may be frightened by sudden noises, for example, the roar of city traffic, or shy of strangers. The explosions of New Year's firecrackers will be a real shock for an unprepared puppy.

At the same time, miniature collies are very trainable animals, they have the ability to adapt to any situation and, with proper training, quite quickly (within 2-3 times) they stop paying attention to stimuli or, at least, begin to tolerate them. Therefore, training sessions must be gradually moved to noisier and more crowded places so that the dog does not forget from fear.

When choosing a breed, you need to keep in mind that shelties, like any herding dogs, are herd animals, so there may be some difficulties in establishing boundaries in the house, especially if the children are still small and do not know how to defend their personal space.

Shelties are poor watchdogs because they prefer to avoid open conflict. This has been the case since the past, when a small dog was not supposed to drive away a predator from the herd, but was supposed to attract the owner’s attention with a loud bark. At the same time, the lack of aggression is an undoubted advantage of Shetland Sheepdogs, because they get along well with other pets, even cats.

In terms of intelligence, Shelties rank 6th out of 132 breeds, according to research from the Canadian University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Therefore, the training process will be easy and enjoyable for both parties if it is built on persuasion and verbal praise. But rudeness and curses will lead to the opposite - the dog will be offended and pretend to be deaf. Shelties react painfully to criticism and, after another failure, may even refuse to follow commands.

And one more extremely important point: Shetland Sheepdogs are very mobile and active animals. You need to walk them at least 2 times a day for an hour. At the same time, the dog should be exhausted, if possible, by playing games with a ball, frisbee, stick, as well as hide and seek and chase.

If the dog does not throw out his irrepressible energy on the street, he will become nervous and hyperactive, which threatens considerable destruction in the apartment. In addition, the load will allow the animal to remain in excellent physical shape. The Sheltie loves to beg for tidbits and tends to gain weight quickly, so a vigorous run will help him shed those extra pounds.

In other words, the Shetland Sheepdog is an ideal choice for a large family that prefers outdoor activities to sitting on the couch. The miniature collie, remembering its herding past, will always look after its youngest owners and will not allow them to get into trouble.

Description of the breed

The Dwarf Collie is a cheerful and sociable breed that gets along well with other animals because it is not prone to aggression. The only negative is that pets absolutely cannot tolerate medications, which makes them vulnerable to many diseases.

Important! When asked what the name of the small collie breed is, there are several answers - sheltie, mini collie, miniature collie.

The Sheltie breed is relatively young, but has already become a favorite among dog breeders.

Breed characteristics

On a five-point scale, the characteristics of the breed are as follows:

• aggression level – 1 out of 5;
• activity – 5 out of 5;
• training – 4 out of 5;
• shedding – 5 out of 5;
• friendliness – 4 out of 5;
• health – 4 out of 5;
• intellectual abilities – 5 out of 5;
• watchdog qualities – 4 out of 5.

The little collie is a reliable guard

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the breed are as follows:

• excellent ingenuity and high level of learning ability;
• friendliness;
• cheerful disposition;
• developed sense of smell;
• affectionateness;
• devotion to the owner.

Minuses:

• susceptibility to disease;
• need for grooming;
• touchiness;
• unbearable loneliness;
• barking loudly for no good reason.

Important! A mini collie will be able to live comfortably in a family where harmony reigns.

Deviation from the standard is a defect in the breed

Color

• Sable with white;
• Tricolor;
• Blue Merle;
• Mahogany.

After looking at photos of collies, you will fall in love with this breed. No matter the coat or color, the collie looks very attractive and beautiful.

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Breed standard

The Sheltie is a mini version of the Scottish Collie, which owes its appearance to breeders. A certain standard has been developed for the breed, which a dog taking part in exhibition events must meet:

• The head is proportional, wedge-shaped, tapering towards the nose. The skull is flat, the occipital protuberance is not pronounced.
• Jaws and teeth. Scissor bite, jaws level and developed. It is desirable to have a full set of teeth, namely 42 pieces.
• Nose. The nose is small and black.
• Eyes. Eye shape: almond. The iris is dark brown, and in merle-colored pets it is blue or brown with blue speckles.
• The ears are located close to each other. When the dog is in a calm state, they are folded and laid back; when the dog is alert, they are raised and directed upward, but the tip is lowered.
• The neck is muscular, arched and graceful.
• Frame. The back is straight with a slight bend in the lumbar region and a rounded croup. The chest is deep.
• Limbs. The forelimbs are straight with the shoulders laid back and the shoulder blades level. The hindquarters are straight with powerful thighs.
• The tail is not curled, the hair on it is long. The tip is slightly curved.
• The coat is of a double type, namely with coarse and long hair. The scruff of the neck is lush, and there are “feathers” on the back of the front legs. The undercoat is thick.

The standard provides for several types of coat color:

• sable;
• tricolor;
• blue merle;
• black and white;
• black-brown.

Disqualifying faults

Officially recognized defects:

• clubfoot;
• the coat is wavy, curly or too short;
• undefined undercoat;
• the tail is too curled or short in length;
• incomplete set of teeth;
• convex or curved back;
• cow type limbs;
• bright white color;
• pink or beige color of the nose;
• short muzzle.

A dog taking part in exhibitions must fully comply with all requirements

Character

The Miniature Collie is a true companion, but is wary of strangers. The pet needs daily communication, otherwise it can become withdrawn and aggressive.

Important! There are individuals who are loners by nature.

The dwarf collie loves to spend time with children. He will be happy to play tag with them. Representatives of this breed love to voice, and they do not need a reason for such behavior at all. In the absence of the owners, the dog can bark loudly, which sometimes leads to conflicts.

The dog gets along well with both children and animals

Collie: breed features

• The ideal companion dog. They have a sensitive and friendly character.
• Get along well with other pets.
• They rarely show aggression, so they are not suitable as guards.
• They behave reservedly and warily with strangers, but they will never show aggression or bark without reason.
• Pets need physical and mental exercise. To stay fit, they need to run about 5-6 km a day.
• Suitable for living in apartments.
• Wool needs good regular care.
• They tolerate harsh weather conditions well.

Education and training

The key to proper upbringing and productive training is a strong relationship with the owner. Shelties absolutely cannot tolerate physical violence being used against them, so being rude is prohibited. It is enough to point out mistakes with your behavior and praise if the dog follows the command correctly.

It is especially important to teach your pet the following commands:

• "Ugh".
• "Quiet".
• "Voice".
• "It is forbidden".
• "To me".

Important! For training to be effective, you should treat your pet with treats for correctly executed commands.

Maintenance and care

Both a spacious enclosure and a city apartment are suitable for keeping such an animal. His place should be equipped with comfort. So, you need to purchase a lounger on which the dog can rest from time to time. If a kennel is chosen for keeping, then the animal cannot be kept in it all the time - this dog simply will not be able to live comfortably without communication.

Particular attention must be paid to the dog's fur.

Hygiene

The Collie breed needs proper coat care. Pets need to be combed once every two days, and pay attention to each layer. During seasonal molting, they are brushed twice a day.

Important! Dry and clean fur of these animals practically does not smell like a dog.

Bathing is carried out 2-3 times a month with the obligatory use of moisturizing shampoos. Dogs are taken to the groomer before exhibitions if they take part in them. The cleanliness of the ears and eyes is especially monitored, removing any dirt that appears with cotton swabs and clean napkins.

Sheltie care is not particularly difficult, but regularity of procedures is important.

Walking, physical activity and rules of safe behavior on the street

The mini collie breed is an active dog whose walking should include physical activity. During the day, the animal must be walked twice, and one trip outside should take at least an hour.

For walking, you should choose new places that the dog will be happy to explore. The four-legged friend will also be happy to go jogging, traveling and swimming along the river with his owner.

Walking your dog should be filled with exercise.

Description and characteristics

Puppies of the Dwarf Collie breed are distinguished by their mobility and playfulness: they get along well with children and enjoy participating in games. Another difference between these small dogs is their amazing loyalty to their owner, complemented by an absolute lack of aggression, characteristic of most decorative varieties.

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The little collie is a rather shy animal, so when it sees guests in the house it may leave the room for a while. When the dog gets used to the new smell and voices, he will definitely go out and start flirting with strangers. Another feature that is characteristic of Sheltie and Collie is a very clear voice.

The animal is highly trainable, has high intelligence, and loves long walks. Another trait that collies and shelties share is their innate dislike of cats. If you already have a cat in your home, there is very little chance that a miniature collie will become friends with it.

Features of feeding and diet

When choosing industrial food, you should give preference to super-premium brands. As for natural feeding, the diet should consist of three components: proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

You can feed your dog the following foods:

• lean meat;
• sea ​​fish;
• cottage cheese and kefir;
• cereals;
• vegetables.

Important! If individual intolerance to a certain product is detected, it must be excluded from the animal’s diet.

Health and illness

Every lover of this breed often encounters a number of problems with their pet, because the breed is quite painful. The main diseases are as follows:

• bladder cancer and other cancers;
• von Willebrand disease;
• joint diseases;
• polyarthritis;
• weakening of ligaments;
• gastroenteritis;
• dermatomyositis;
• deafness, most often congenital;
• vision problems;
• cryptorchidism

Important! Representatives of this breed have genetic intolerance to Milbemycin and Ivermectin.

Lifespan and reproduction

The average lifespan of these animals is 12-14 years. The bitch is mated 9-14 days after the start of her heat. Only healthy animals are allowed to mate.

Health

It is considered a healthy breed, even very healthy. They suffer from fewer inherited genetic diseases than other purebred breeds. They were bred to work, and there was no place for sick dogs.

Because of this, they are classified as long-lived dogs, whose lifespan is 12-14 years, but often 15-16.

They have a specific disease, collie eye anomaly or CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly). Although it still occurs, efforts by breeders have greatly reduced its prevalence.

Severity varies, from minimal changes in the blood vessels of the eyes to retinal detachment, but most cases are mild or moderate. The disease is diagnosed at 6 weeks of age and does not progress as the child grows older.

Collies and several related breeds are very sensitive to certain medications. While this sensitivity is known to veterinarians, it's best to make sure yours is too.

As with people, reactions can range from vomiting and diarrhea to anaphylactic shock and death.

How to choose a puppy

When choosing a puppy, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

• the baby must have a healthy appearance;
• the ears, nose, mouth and eyes should be clean;
• the breeder must provide a document confirming the completed vaccination;
• the pet must undergo treatment for worms and parasites;
• before purchasing, you should look at the animal’s parents, since it is important to make sure there are no hereditary diseases;
• the puppy should be friendly, active and not afraid of people.

Important! You should not separate your Sheltie puppy from its mother too early as this may affect its mental health.

It is better to choose a puppy from trusted breeders

Interesting Facts:

• Loud and unreasonable barking is the hallmark of the breed. In addition, they make a whole range of sounds, each of which has its own meaning.
• Pets are overly stubborn and need socialization.
• Canadian psychologist Stanley Corren discovered that these dogs recognize not only the voice and gestures of the owner, but also his facial expressions.

The little collie is an excellent companion and faithful family friend. You just need to respect the dog and then its love will know no bounds.

How to choose a strong and healthy collie puppy

The day has come to go to the nursery for a cute puppy. Babies should be kept in a clean enclosure, without a specific unpleasant odor, which is very important. First of all, the breeder will demonstrate the numerous awards that his pets have received. Listen carefully, but don’t be easily fooled by all the big titles and championship accolades. If possible, you need to look at the parents of the future pet. Top 10 signs that will help you choose a healthy collie puppy:

• shiny and moist nose;
• clean ears, pink;
• lively, clear look;
• clean eyes, without any discharge;
• full number of teeth and correct bite;
• healthy skin, without parasites, sores and acne;
• silky, shiny coat;
• lymph nodes of normal size;
• the tail is without creases or docked;
• no bloating.

A good proof that the animal is healthy is a written document of purchase and sale. If the collie puppy develops abnormalities over time, according to the contract, the pet can be returned. Having “insurance” with the buyer will reduce the risk that the seller will slip in a problem animal.