10 Dog Breeds That Are Similar to Collies: With Pictures & Facts
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There are two types of Collie dog breeds. The more well-known, long-haired Rough Collie (aka Lassie dog) and the short-coated Smooth Collie. These two Collie dog breeds are identical in every way except for the length of the coat.
Collies are beautiful, loving, devoted, and intelligent dogs that are great with children and make amazing family members. Perhaps you are looking for a dog that physically resembles the Collie, or you are hoping to find a dog with a similar temperament.
The first five dogs in this list physically resemble the Collie, but some might not have the same temperament. The last five dogs do not look anything like the Collie but have some of the positive qualities that the Collie typically embodies.
The 10 Dogs That Look Like Collies
1. Shetland Sheepdog
If you love the Collie but want a dog half the size, the Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the ‘Sheltie,’ might be perfect for you. The Sheltie, like the Collie, is part of the Herding Group and is eager to please and, therefore, easy to train. They need to be brushed several times a week and require regular exercise. The Sheltie is also like the Collie in their love for children.
Collies need to be supervised when with other dogs, but the Sheltie does not. The Sheltie comes in a variety of colors like the Collie but is more active and energetic. The Sheltie is playful, smart, sensitive, and affectionate.
2. Border Collie
The Border Collie only bears a passing resemblance to the Rough Collie, but there are similarities. Their coats are medium in length that needs brushing 2 to 3 times a week. While they come in a wide variety of colors, they are most recognizable in their signature color of black and white.
Borders are highly energetic dogs that do better with older children and need supervision around other dogs. They are eager to please and intelligent and are, therefore, easy to train. However, they do require an extensive amount of exercise to keep them happy as they are working dogs that need to feel busy for a big chunk of the day. The best owners for Borders are people that are very active and have time to devote to these dogs. The Border is very energetic, intelligent, affectionate, and athletic.
3. Scotch Collie
The Scotch Collie is usually referred to as Old-Time Scotch Collies because they are, essentially, the original Rough Collie from about 200 years ago. Rough Collies became purebreds over many years of breeding, whereas the Scotch Collie is essentially how the Rough Collie might look today if they did not evolve as purebreds.
The Scotch Collie has similar colors as Collies and looks somewhat like a cross between the Collie and Border Collie. They have the same sweet-natured, sensitive, and family-oriented nature as the Rough Collie but are considered to be more obedient. They are known for their love and gentleness towards children.
4. Belgian Tervuren
The Belgian Tervuren looks like a cross between a German Shepherd and a Rough Collie (coloring of the Shepherd and coat of the Collie). The Tervuren has a similar nose to the Collie and also belongs to the Herding Group. They are more energetic and therefore require much more exercise and activity than the Collie.
They have long-haired coats that require brushing several times a week with a similar ruff of fur as the Collie. They need to be supervised around children and other dogs but are easy to train. They are intelligent, affectionate, protective, and active dogs.
5. Belgian Sheepdog
The Belgian Sheepdog bears a physical resemblance to the Rough Collie with a long nose and ruff of fur but is primarily black in color. They have a long coat of hair that requires brushing 2 to 3 times a week, and they need owners to spend a lot of time with them.
Belgians are highly energetic and need more than just a daily walk as they also need to run and play. They are easy to train but need to be supervised with children and other dogs. They are serious dogs that are intelligent, sensitive, and very active.
Dogs with Similar Personalities to the Collie
1. Bergamasco Sheepdog
The Bergamasco Sheepdog is similar to the Collie as it is a member of the Herding Group and is a beautiful family dog. They love children and get along well with other animals. The Bergamasco is easy to train and just needs a moderate amount of exercise.
Grooming is technically easier with the Bergamasco as it has an unusual coat that turns into a kind of dreadlock when they reach adulthood. Once this has occurred, the Bergamasco only needs very infrequent grooming (only brushing and bathing about 2 to 3 times a year). However, people allergic to wool have been known to have allergic reactions to the Bergamasco, but otherwise, they are hypoallergenic. They are smart, friendly, and fantastic family dogs.
2. Keeshond
The Keeshond is a medium-sized dog with all of the positive traits of the Collie. Kees are easy to train, very smart, friendly, and require moderate exercise. They are happiest when spending time with their family and need grooming 2 to 3 times a week.
They are great with children but might need to be supervised around other dogs. Their coat is medium to long and varies in colors of black, gray, and silver. They have very distinctive dark circles around their eyes, which makes it look like they are wearing glasses.
3. Papillon
The Papillon is from the Toy Group and is the smallest dog on this list but is absolutely full of personality. Similar to the Collie, they need weekly brushing, require a moderate amount of exercise (but probably less than the Collie given the difference in their sizes), are very easy to train, and are excellent with children. However, they need supervision around other dogs.
They come in multiple colors with a long silky coat and are famous for their large wing-shaped ears (which gives them the name ‘Papillon,’ which is French for ‘butterfly’). The Papillon is an intelligent, friendly, alert, happy, and energetic dog.
4. Japanese Spitz
The Japanese Spitz is another small dog that makes fantastic family pets. They are all white with tails that plume over their backs. The Japanese Spitz is easy to train and is excellent with kids and other dogs.
The Japanese Spitz require daily brushing, as they tend to shed quite a lot. They need a moderate amount of exercise but will do well in a house or an apartment. They are funny, smart, playful, and loyal.
5. Newfoundland
Saving the largest dog on the list for last, we end with the Newfoundland, the gentle giant. The Newfie is easy to train, needs moderate exercise, weekly brushing, and is terrific with children and other dogs.
They have a medium-length heavy coat that is most commonly black or black and white. They are sometimes referred to as “Nanny dogs” because of how patient and gentle they are with children. They are loyal and smart dogs that are best known for their sweet nature.
Conclusion
Not one dog will ever be exactly like another, even if they are the same breed. How they were raised and socialized as puppies is the primary determinant of what kind of adult dog you end up with. However, many purebred dogs do have similar temperaments, so hopefully, this list can guide you in finding the right dog that is similar to the Collie.
Featured Image Credit: bogitw, Pixabay
