English Shepherd vs Welsh Sheepdog vs Rough Collie – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between English Shepherd vs Welsh Sheepdog vs Rough Collie"
Compare English Shepherd and Welsh Sheepdog. Which is better: English Shepherd or Welsh Sheepdog or Rough Collie?
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| Name | English Shepherd | Welsh Sheepdog | Rough Collie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origins |  England | Wales | Scotland |
| Group | Working Dogs | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) |
| Popularity Rank | 298 | 427 | 40 |
| Reviews | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Rate |
| Other Names | Farm Collie (This name is also used for the Scotch Collie) | Welsh Collie | Collie, Scottish Collie, Long-Haired Collie, English Collie, Lassie Dog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
| AKC Group | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Herding breed. |
| FCI Group | Not recognized by FCI. | Not recognized by FCI. | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. |
| Breed Recognition | American Canine Registry America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club Animal Research Foundation | No set | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club |
| Price | $800-$1000 | Unknown | $400-$600 |
General Appearance - English Shepherd vs Welsh Sheepdog vs Rough Collie
| Size | Medium | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Male: 45-60 pounds (21-28 kg), Female: 40-50 pounds (18-23 kg) | Male: 15-35 pounds (7-16 kg), Female: 13-33 pounds (6-15 kg) | Male: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg), Female: 53-65 pounds (24-29 kg) |
| Avg. Weight | Male: 52.5 pounds (24.5 kg), Female: 45 pounds (20.5 kg) | Male: 25 pounds (11.5 kg), Female: 23 pounds (10.5 kg) | Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 57.5 pounds (26 kg) |
| Height | 18-23 inches (46-58 cm) | Male: 16-19 inches (41-47 cm), Female : 14-17 inches (38-44 cm) | Male: 24–26 inch (60–66 cm), Female: 22–24 inch (55–61 cm) |
| Avg. Height | 20.5 inches (52 cm) | Male: 17.5 inches (44 cm), Female : 15.5 inches (41 cm) | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - English Shepherd vs Welsh Sheepdog vs Rough Collie
| Coat | Fluffy Silky | Feathered | Rough Soft Thick Straight Harsh Furry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colors | Tan Brown Tricolor White Brindle Sable Yellow Black | Black White Red | Black & White & Tan Blue & Merle Blue & Merle & White Sable Sable & White White White & Merle Merle |
| Grooming | Easy to groom: The English Shepherd doesn't require a lot of grooming. | Effortless: The Welsh Sheepdog requires minimal grooming. | Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. |
| Shedding Level | English Shepherds shed moderately. | Welsh Sheepdogs shed moderately. | Rough Collies are heavy shedders. |
Characteristics - English Shepherd vs Welsh Sheepdog vs Rough Collie
| Temperament | Adaptable Courageous Friendly Intelligent Responsive Alert Energetic Independent Playful | Active Intelligent Energetic | Friendly Gentle Intelligent Loyal Protective Responsive Social Hard working Docile Obedient Elegant Herding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Rank | Average: English Shepherd's has average obedience intelligence. | Very smart: Welsh Sheepdog is an excellent dog breed. | Very smart: Rough Collie is an excellent dog breed. |
| Trainability | English Shepherds are easy to train. | Welsh Sheepdogs are very easy to train. | Rough Collies are very easy to train. |
| Playfulness | English Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Welsh Sheepdog is a playful breed. | The Rough Collie is a playful breed. |
| Sensitivity Level | English Shepherds don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. | Welsh Sheepdogs are less sensitive than other dog breeds. | Rough Collies don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. |
| Affection Level | English Shepherds are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Welsh Sheepdogs are highly affectionate dogs. | Rough Collies are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs | English Shepherds need a lot of social interaction. | Welsh Sheepdogs are a social breed. | Rough Collies need a lot of social interaction. |
| Barking | Low to Average: The English Shepherd rarely barks. | Average: The Welsh Sheepdog barks occasionally. | Low to Average: The Rough Collie rarely barks. |
| Watchdog Ability | English Shepherds are good watchdogs. | Welsh Sheepdogs are not the best watchdogs. | Rough Collies are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Territorial | English Shepherds are extremely protective guard dogs. | Welsh Sheepdogs are average defenders. | Rough Collies are extremely protective guard dogs. |
| Biting Potential |
Low The English Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Welsh Sheepdog has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Rough Collie has a low chance of biting somebody. |
| Mouthiness | English Shepherds have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Welsh Sheepdogs have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Rough Collies have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | English Shepherds have average wanderlust potential. | Wanderlust potential of the Welsh Sheepdog is strong enough to escape from home. | Rough Collies are not the biggest explorers. |
| Prey Drive | English Shepherds have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. | Welsh Sheepdogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Rough Collies have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
| Apartment Friendly | English Shepherds are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. | Welsh Sheepdogs are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day. | Rough Collies are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day. |
| Adaptability | English Shepherds adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. | Welsh Sheepdogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. | Rough Collies adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | English Shepherds tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Welsh Sheepdogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. | Rough Collies tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. |
| Fighting Dog |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Good With - English Shepherd vs Welsh Sheepdog vs Rough Collie
| Stranger Friendly | English Shepherds are not the most stranger friendly dogs. | Welsh Sheepdogs are average friendly towards strangers. | Rough Collies are stranger friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Friendly | English Shepherds are kid-friendly dogs. | Welsh Sheepdogs are kid-friendly dogs. | Rough Collies are very kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly | English Shepherds are cat-friendly dogs. | Welsh Sheepdogs are average friendly towards cats. | Rough Collies are very cat-friendly dogs. |
| Dog Friendly | English Shepherds are dog-friendly dogs. | Welsh Sheepdogs are dog-friendly dogs. | Rough Collies are dog-friendly dogs. |
| Office Friendly |
No English Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Yes Welsh Sheepdog is one of the best dog breeds for office environment |
No Rough Collie is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | English Shepherds are usually recommended for elderly people. | Welsh Sheepdogs are usually recommended for elderly people. | Rough Collies are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
| Pet Friendly | English Shepherds are usually friendly towards other pets. | Welsh Sheepdogs are generally with other pets. | Rough Collies are one of the friendliest dog breeds. |
| Good For First Time Owners |
No English Shepherds are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Yes Welsh Sheepdogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
No Rough Collies are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
| Service Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
| Therapy Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
| Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
| Boat Dog |
Not really English Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Welsh Sheepdog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Rough Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - English Shepherd vs Welsh Sheepdog vs Rough Collie
| Health Issues | English Shepherds tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds. | Welsh Sheepdogs tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds. | The Rough Collie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Problems | Collie Eye Anomaly Drug Sensitivity Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) | No set | Collie Eye Anomaly Gray Collie Syndrome Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Drug Sensitivity Hip Dysplasia |
| Life Expectancy | 12-15 years | 12-15 years | 14-16 years |
| Hypoallergenic | No | No | No |
| Energy Level | English Shepherds are high energy dogs. | Welsh Sheepdogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. | Rough Collies have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. |
| Exercise Need | English Shepherds need a lot of exercises. | Welsh Sheepdogs need quite a lot of exercise. | Rough Collies need quite a lot of exercise. |
| Sleeping Need | English Shepherds don't need too much sleep. | Welsh Sheepdogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping. | Rough Collies sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. |
| Avg. daily food consumption | 3 to 4.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
| Weight Gain Potential | Average to High. | Low to Average. | Average. |
| Weather & Climate |
Prefers average to cold weather conditions The English Shepherd can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. |
Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Welsh Sheepdog can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. |
Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Rough Collie can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. |
| Stinkiness |
Medium The English Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Welsh Sheepdog has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Rough Collie has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Drooling tendency | The English Shepherd drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. | The Welsh Sheepdog is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Rough Collie is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - English Shepherd vs Welsh Sheepdog vs Rough Collie
| Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
| Litter Size | 5-8 puppies, average 6 | 2-8 puppies | 4-8 puppies |
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