Rough Collie vs Smooth Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Rough Collie vs Smooth Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog"
Compare Rough Collie and Smooth Collie. Which is better: Rough Collie or Smooth Collie or Shetland Sheepdog?
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Name | Rough Collie | Smooth Collie | Shetland Sheepdog |
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Origins | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Group | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) |
Popularity Rank | 40 | 354 | 24 |
Reviews | 4 | 1 | 5 |
Rate |
Other Names | Collie, Scottish Collie, Long-Haired Collie, English Collie, Lassie Dog | Short-Haired Collie | Miniature Collie, Shetland Collie (obsolete), Dwarf Scotch Shepherd (obsolete), Toonie Dog (obsolete), Sheltie |
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Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1911 as a Herding breed. |
FCI Group | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. | 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 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 |
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 |
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 Canadian Canine Registry |
Price | $400-$600 | $400-$600 | $800-$1000 |
General Appearance - Rough Collie vs Smooth Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog
Size | Large | Large | Medium |
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Weight | Male: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg), Female: 53-65 pounds (24-29 kg) | Male: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg), Female: 53-65 pounds (24-29 kg) | 14-27 pounds (6-12 kg) |
Avg. Weight | Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 57.5 pounds (26 kg) | Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 57.5 pounds (26 kg) | 20.5 pounds (9 kg) |
Height | Male: 24–26 inch (60–66 cm), Female: 22–24 inch (55–61 cm) | Male: 24–26 inch (60–66 cm), Female: 22–24 inch (55–61 cm) | 13-16 inches (33-41 cm) |
Avg. Height | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm) | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm) | 14.5 inches (37 cm) |
Hair & Care - Rough Collie vs Smooth Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog
Coat |
Rough Soft Thick Straight Harsh Furry |
Dense Thick Flat | Dense |
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Colors |
Black & White & Tan Blue & Merle Blue & Merle & White Sable Sable & White White White & Merle Merle |
Black & White & Tan Blue & Merle Blue & Merle & White Sable Sable & White White White & Merle Merle |
White Blue Merle Sable Tan Black |
Grooming | Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. | Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. | Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. |
Shedding Level | Rough Collies are heavy shedders. | Smooth Collies are heavy shedders. | Shetland Sheepdogs shed moderately. |
Characteristics - Rough Collie vs Smooth Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog
Temperament |
Friendly Gentle Intelligent Loyal Protective Responsive Social Hard working Docile Obedient Elegant Herding |
Friendly Gentle Intelligent Loyal Protective Responsive Social |
Affectionate Gentle Lively Responsive Friendly Intelligent Playful |
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Intelligent Rank | Very smart: Rough Collie is an excellent dog breed. | Very smart: Smooth Collie is an excellent dog breed. | Outstanding: Shetland Sheepdog is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
Trainability | Rough Collies are very easy to train. | Smooth Collies are very easy to train. | Shetland Sheepdogs are quite easy to train. |
Playfulness | The Rough Collie is a playful breed. | The Smooth Collie is a playful breed. | Shetland Sheepdogs, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
Sensitivity Level | Rough Collies don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. | Smooth Collies don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. | Shetland Sheepdogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. |
Affection Level | Rough Collies are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Smooth Collies are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Shetland Sheepdogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
Social Needs | Rough Collies need a lot of social interaction. | Smooth Collies need a lot of social interaction. | Shetland Sheepdogs are a social breed. |
Barking | Low to Average: The Rough Collie rarely barks. | Average to high: The Smooth Collie is a vocal breed. | High: The Shetland Sheepdog is a very vocal breed. |
Watchdog Ability | Rough Collies are one of the best watchdogs. | Smooth Collies are one of the best watchdogs. | Shetland Sheepdogs are good watchdogs. |
Territorial | Rough Collies are extremely protective guard dogs. | Smooth Collies are extremely protective guard dogs. | Shetland Sheepdogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
Biting Potential |
Low The Rough Collie has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Smooth Collie has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Shetland Sheepdog has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness | Rough Collies have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Smooth Collies have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Shetland Sheepdogs have a low tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam | Rough Collies are not the biggest explorers. | Smooth Collies are not the biggest explorers. | Shetland Sheepdogs tend to escape less than other breeds. |
Prey Drive | Rough Collies have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Smooth Collies have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Shetland Sheepdogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. |
Apartment Friendly | 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. | Smooth 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. | Shetland Sheepdogs are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. |
Adaptability | Rough Collies adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. | Smooth Collies adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. | Shetland Sheepdogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
Tolerates Being Left Alone | Rough Collies tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Smooth Collies tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Shetland 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. |
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 - Rough Collie vs Smooth Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog
Stranger Friendly | Rough Collies are stranger friendly dogs. | Smooth Collies are stranger friendly dogs. | Shetland Sheepdogs are not the most stranger friendly dogs. |
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Child Friendly | Rough Collies are very kid-friendly dogs. | Smooth Collies are very kid-friendly dogs. | Shetland Sheepdogs are kid-friendly dogs. |
Cat Friendly | Rough Collies are very cat-friendly dogs. | Smooth Collies are very cat-friendly dogs. | Shetland Sheepdogs are very cat-friendly dogs. |
Dog Friendly | Rough Collies are dog-friendly dogs. | Smooth Collies are dog-friendly dogs. | Shetland Sheepdogs are dog-friendly dogs. |
Office Friendly |
No Rough Collie is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Smooth Collie is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Shetland Sheepdog is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly | Rough Collies are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Smooth Collies are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Shetland Sheepdogs are usually recommended for elderly people. |
Pet Friendly | Rough Collies are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | Smooth Collies are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | Shetland Sheepdogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds. |
Good For First Time Owners |
No Rough Collies are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Smooth Collies are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Shetland Sheepdogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Service Dog |
Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Therapy Dog |
Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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 Rough Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Smooth Collie breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Shetland Sheepdog 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 - Rough Collie vs Smooth Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog
Health Issues | The Rough Collie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Smooth Collie is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Shetland Sheepdog is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
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Health Problems |
Collie Eye Anomaly Gray Collie Syndrome Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Drug Sensitivity Hip Dysplasia |
Collie Eye Anomaly Drug Sensitivity Gray Collie Syndrome Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) |
Cancer Cataracts Collie Eye Anomaly Drug Sensitivity Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Haemophilia Heart Problems Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Patellar Luxation Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Trichiasis Von Willebrand's Disease |
Life Expectancy | 14-16 years | 14-16 years | 12-14 years |
Hypoallergenic | No | No | No |
Energy Level | Rough Collies have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | Smooth Collies have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | Shetland Sheepdogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. |
Exercise Need | Rough Collies need quite a lot of exercise. | Smooth Collies need quite a lot of exercise. | Shetland Sheepdogs have an average exercise need. |
Sleeping Need | Rough Collies sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. | Smooth Collies sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. | Shetland Sheepdogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping. |
Avg. daily food consumption | 2 to 3 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. | 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
Weight Gain Potential | Average. | Average. | Average. |
Weather & Climate |
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. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions |
Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Shetland Sheepdog can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. |
Stinkiness |
Medium The Rough Collie has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Smooth Collie has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Shetland Sheepdog has an average chance of bad smell. |
Drooling tendency | The Rough Collie is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Smooth Collie is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Shetland Sheepdog is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - Rough Collie vs Smooth Collie vs Shetland Sheepdog
Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
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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 | 4-8 puppies | 4-8 puppies | 4-6 puppies |
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