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Border Collies, Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs - The Differences Between Them
Border Collies, Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs - The Differences Between Them
By John P Jackson
The most common three dog breeds that are easily confused are the Collie, Border Collie and Shetland Sheepdog. While each is its own breed and has its own distinctions, they also have some similarities as well. The following information outlines the most common differences and similarities between these three dog breeds.
Collies: Developed in Scotland to be a herding dog, a Collie comes in two varieties: rough coated (long haired) and smooth coated (short haired). They stand between 20-25 inches in height at the shoulders and males weigh 40-60 pounds, females weigh between 39-55 pounds when fully grown.
The Collie breed dates back to the 17th century, they were used to keep herds of sheep together in groups. Collies are elegant and refined dogs, with a very regal appearance, they are calm and well mannered in temperament.
Shetland Sheepdog: Also known as a Sheltie, a Shetland Sheepdog, is also referred to as a "miniature Collie," but this is untrue. Shelties are a very different breed altogether, though they look like a small version of a rough coated Collie. Shelties as a breed, date back to the 1800's, and originates from the Shetland Islands. They were used as a herding dog, but instead of sheep herding, the dogs were used to keep the sheep away from the crops on the farm. The Sheltie had the task of herding the sheep away from the fields and keeping them in the fold.
Collies and Shelties were developed to be independent of one another. Though the Collie is one of the breeds that contributed to the bloodlines of a Sheltie. Shelties are never short coated and are much smaller in stature than a Collie. Shelties generally weigh around 15-25 pounds. A Sheltie has a much livelier personality than a Collie, which has a tendency to be subdued and refined in temperament.
A Border Collie: Border Collies were supposed to be herding dogs in the border between England and Scotland. Border Collies are highly prized as herding dogs because of their unique ability to "fetch" a member of the herd who had wandered away. A Border Collie is thought to be the most intelligent of all dog breeds and are still being used on farms and ranches all over parts of Europe.
The colors of a Border Collie are most often black and white, though other colors are possible. They are a medium-build dog weighing between 25-55 pounds and come in both rough and smooth coated varieties.
A fairly easy way to tell the difference between a Border Collie from a Standard Collie is the hair. Even on a rough coated Collie, the hair is not as long and flowing as that of a Standard Collie. A Border Collie has a smaller, shorter nose and resembles an Australian Shepherd, more than a Standard Collie.
Because of the high intelligence and working ability, a Border Collie needs to have a purpose, goal or job. If not, the breed tends to get bored and displays destructive behavior. The breed does perform quite well in the show ring and during agility competitions, these activities keep their minds stimulated and body active.
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Ultimate List of the Smartest Breeds of Dogs
Ultimate List of the Smartest Breeds of Dogs
By Neil Lemons
There's a general perception that certain dog breeds are smarter than others. For example, Labrador Retrievers are smarter than Cocker Spaniels or Border Collies are smarter than German Shepherds. But how do we really know that one dog is smarter than another? What exactly does it mean to be an intelligent dog?
Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia asked himself these same questions and set-out to find the answers. He compiled his research and theories in a book titled The Intelligence of Dogs, published in 1994.
Following is a list of top 10 smartest dogs as defined in The Intelligence of Dogs.
1. Lhasa Apso - The Lhasa Apso was originally bred by Tibetan Monks and was used to alert the monks of intruders in the monasteries. The breed is displayed prominently in the Tibetan flag.
2. Border Collie - The Border Collie was bred in the United Kingdom and was used by farmers to herd sheep.
3. German Shepherd - The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, having only been around since 1899. It was originally bred to be a sheep herder
4. Golden Retriever - The Golden Retriever was originally bred in Scotland to retrieve waterfowl and game for hunters.
5. Doberman Pinscher - The Doberman was originally bred to be a ferocious guard dog. As a result of years of careful breading the modern Doberman Pinscher is now an energetic and lively breed suitable for companionship and family life.
6. Shetland Sheepdog - Although the Shetland Sheepdog closely resembles a miniature Rough Collie it's true parent breed is the Border Collie. It is small in stature and a good family dog.
7. Labrador Retriever - The Labrador Retriever is ironically most commonly known to be from Newfoundland. Originally, Labradors assisted fisherman by dragging in heavy fishing nets. The Labrador is currently the most popular breed of dog (by registered ownership) in the world, and is by a large margin the most popular breed by registration in the United States (since 1991), and the United Kingdom.
8. Papillion - Papillons were a favorite of the Spanish aristocracy and today make excellent watch dogs.
9. Rottweiler -The Rottweiler (which mean the Butcher Dog in German) was bred in Germany to be a herder and because of its intelligence and strength were eventually used as draught dogs, pulling carts to carry meat and other products to market.
10. Australian Cattle Dog - The Australian Cattle Dog, also known as the Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler and Red Heeler is a breed of herding dog developed in Australia for droving cattle. It is a medium-sized short-coated dog with a lot of energy, intelligence and an independent streak.
Neil Lemons is a pet lover and Online Journalist. He has had the privilege of owning several cats and dogs over the years, some living into their 90s (in dog years). For information on where you can buy gourmet dog treats, check out http://www.N-Bone.com, world authority on healthy animal treats for your dog, cat, or ferret.
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How to Groom Your Shetland Sheepdog
How to Groom Your Shetland Sheepdog
By John P Jackson
Because of their long, thick, fluffy coats, it may seem like grooming a Shetland Sheepdog would be a daunting task. While it does require some dedication and patience, it is not nearly as difficult or time-consuming as one might think. Some owners choose to shave their Shelties to avoid having to groom, but this is not a good option. The Sheltie's thick and lengthy coat helps protect the dog from extreme heat and extreme cold. Shaved dogs are also more susceptible to sunburn and frostbite.
Brushing your Sheltie's coat and undercoat regularly is the single most important aspect of grooming for this breed. You should brush the undercoat first, as it has more difficulty shedding on its own and is most prone to matting. Part the fur of the topcoat and mist the area you plan to brush with water. (It is important to mist or dampen your Sheltie's fur as you brush it due to the risk of breakage on course-coated dogs.) Using a pin brush, brush from head to rump, removing the dead hair as it collects in the brush. Do this all across your Sheltie's body. This technique is referred to as "line brushing."
After removing all the shed fur from the Shetland Sheepdog's undercoat, you can move on to the area called the "skirt." The skirt is the hair on your dog's rump beneath its tail. This hair tends to be more coarse than the rest of the sheepdog's coat and is harder to get a brush through. Gently and carefully using a fine-toothed metal comb can be a better, if slower option for grooming the skirt fur. This comb can also double for similar hair near the ears and on the legs of the Sheltie. Always remember to mist the fur as well, as it will not tug on the dog and make it uncomfortable for them.
After grooming the undercoat and the skirt, you can move on to the topcoat. Continuing to mist the fur before brushing, you can work your way through the topcoat with the same brush as the undercoat (after cleaning out the excess dead fur, of course) to help regain the normal sheen of the Sheltie's coat.
Since their coats are so long and thick, Shetland Sheepdogs are prone to collecting dirt, dust, and grime in their fur. Over bathing can be problematic with any breed, as it can potentially strip the fur and skin of essential oils and minerals that help protect and keep it healthy, but since the Sheltie has so much fur, it is acceptable to bathe more often. Many groomers recommend a bath approximately every two months. If you choose to bathe your Sheltie at home instead of with your groomer, you may have to test out a number of different doggie shampoos before finding one that suits you and your dog's needs best. Always watch for excessive scratching, which can result from dry or irritated skin and is an indication that you need to switch shampoos.
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