Shetland Sheepdog vs Rough Collie
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Shetland Sheepdog | Rough Collie | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Small | Large |
| Adult weight | 6.8 to 11.3 kg | 22.7 to 34 kg |
| In pounds | 15 to 25 lb | 50 to 75 lb |
| Adult height | 33 to 41 cm | 56 to 66 cm |
| Energy | High | Moderate |
| Grooming | High | Moderate |
| Coat | Long double | Short to long smooth and rough |
| Shedding | Moderate | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Reliably good | Fine with supervision |
| Country of origin | Great Britain | Great Britain |
The main differences
- The Rough Collie is the bigger dog: 22.7 to 34 kg against 6.8 to 11.3 kg for the Shetland Sheepdog.
- The Shetland Sheepdog needs more exercise: high energy against moderate for the Rough Collie.
- The Shetland Sheepdog takes more grooming (high) than the Rough Collie (moderate).
- Life expectancy is similar: 12 to 14 years for the Shetland Sheepdog and 12 to 14 years for the Rough Collie.
Temperament
Shetland Sheepdog: Affectionate and responsive to their owner, reserved towards strangers, never nervous. Alert, gentle, intelligent, strong and active.
Rough Collie: A sensitive, highly trainable British herding breed, devoted to their family and easy with children, watchful and quick to sound off about anything new.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Shetland Sheepdog
- Collie eye anomaly and choroidal hypoplasia (CEA/CH), detectable by DNA test
- MDR1 drug sensitivity, detectable by DNA test, which affects safe dosing of several common drugs
- Progressive retinal atrophy (BBS2-PRA and CNGA1-PRA), detectable by DNA test
- von Willebrand disease (vWD3), detectable by DNA test
- Hip dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme, and elbow dysplasia under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
- Inherited eye disease, screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme, including litter screening
Rough Collie
- Collie eye anomaly, an inherited eye defect checked by an ophthalmologist exam at 6 to 8 weeks old and detectable by DNA test
- MDR1 multidrug sensitivity, detectable by DNA test, which changes safe dosing of ivermectin and several common drugs
- Progressive retinal atrophy, detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hip dysplasia, screened by hip evaluation of breeding stock
- Dermatomyositis, an inherited skin and muscle disease of young dogs, confirmed by skin biopsy
- Bloat and gastric torsion, a surgical emergency in deep chested dogs
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Rough Collie?
The Rough Collie. Adults weigh 22.7 to 34 kg, against 6.8 to 11.3 kg for the Shetland Sheepdog, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Rough Collie?
The published life expectancy is 12 to 14 years for the Shetland Sheepdog and 12 to 14 years for the Rough Collie. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Shetland Sheepdog or the Rough Collie better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Next
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- royalkennelclub.com for the Royal Kennel Club exercise or grooming band, used where it asks for more than the AKC score
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin