Breed Comparison: Carolina Dog Versus Shetland Sheepdog

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Carolina Dog Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Carolina Dog and for the Shetland Sheepdog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Carolina Dog or the Shetland Sheepdog.

Carolina Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog

Carolina Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Carolina Dog is a medium-sized dog while the Shetland Sheepdog is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Carolina Dog belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Carolina Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Carolina Dog to the Shetland Sheepdog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog

Factor Carolina Dog Shetland Sheepdog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Weight 33 to 55 pounds Starts at 20 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $500 $1590
Price Range $500 – $500 $1000 – $2000
Temperament Score 66.7 percent 68.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Carolina Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Shetland Sheepdog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Carolina Dog is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shetland Sheepdog is a better pet than the Carolina Dog. So, you should get the Shetland Sheepdog!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog are most different:

  • Carolina Dogs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Carolina Dogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle. However, Shetland Sheepdogs are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs. However, Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Carolina Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Shetland Sheepdogs are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Carolina Dogs are not easy to train. However, Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.
  • Carolina Dogs do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Shetland Sheepdogs do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.

    • The Similarities Between the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog

    The Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Carolina Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Carolina Dogs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Carolina Dogs are 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Carolina Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog

    The lifespan of Carolina Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Carolina Dogs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is 13.5 years.

    Temperament of the Carolina Dog Versus the Shetland Sheepdog

    The Shetland Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Carolina Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 percent while the temperament score for the Carolina Dog is 66.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 66.7 percent, the Carolina Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 3 Carolina Dogs and 515 Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Price of Carolina Dog versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog

    The average price of the Carolina Dog puppy is $500. The price of the Carolina Dog typically ranges from $500 – $500. However, the price of a Carolina Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 6 Carolina Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1590. The price of the Shetland Sheepdog typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of the Shetland Sheepdog can be as low as $500 and as high as $3145. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 153 Shetland Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shetland Sheepdog is more expensive than the Carolina Dog.

    Carolina Dog Shetland Sheepdog
    Average Price $500 $1590
    Price Range $500 to $500 $1000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Carolina Dog and Shetland Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many Carolina Dog puppies or how many Shetland Sheepdog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Carolina Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Carolina Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Carolina Dog puppy or the Shetland Sheepdog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Carolina Dog versus Adopting the Shetland Sheepdog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Carolina Dogs and many Shetland Sheepdogs are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Carolina Dog named A1135456 that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Carolina Dogs like A1135456 on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Carolina Dogs, Shetland Sheepdogs are also available for adoption. For example, ~Courtesy~Simon And Shu Shu is a Male Shetland Sheepdog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shetland Sheepdogs like ~Courtesy~Simon And Shu Shu that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Vance is the name of another Carolina Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Cisco is an adorable Male Shetland Sheepdog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Carolina Dogs and Shetland Sheepdogs are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Carolina Dogs and Shetland Sheepdogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Carolina Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Carolina Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Carolina Dogs shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Carolina Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Carolina Dog or the Shetland Sheepdog

    Carolina Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Carolina Dog or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Carolina Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Shetland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Carolina Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Carolina Dogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Carolina Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Carolina Dogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Carolina Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Carolina Dog vs. Shetland Sheepdog

    Carolina Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Carolina Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Carolina Dog or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Carolina Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Carolina Dogs good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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    Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Carolina Dogs and Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Carolina Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Carolina Dog Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Carolina Dogs are not easy to train.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Carolina Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Carolina Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Carolina Dog or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Carolina Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Carolina Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Carolina Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Carolina Dog:

  • Treeing Tennessee Brindle (75 percent match with Carolina Dog). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Treeing Tennessee Brindle.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shetland Sheepdog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Shetland Sheepdog:

  • Collie (81 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Carolina Dog and how the Shetland Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Carolina Dog and of the Shetland Sheepdog to other breeds:

    Carolina Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Carolina Dog versus Redbone Coonhound     Carolina Dog versus Vizsla     Carolina Dog versus Australian Shepherd     Carolina Dog versus Pomchi     Carolina Dog versus Greyhound     Carolina Dog versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Carolina Dog versus Labrador Retriever     Carolina Dog versus Peek A Poo     Carolina Dog versus Cockapoo     Carolina Dog versus Black Russian Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Great Dane     Carolina Dog versus Keeshond     Carolina Dog versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Carolina Dog versus Lakeland Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Finnish Spitz     Carolina Dog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Carolina Dog versus Fila Brasileiro     Carolina Dog versus Komondor     Carolina Dog versus Fila Brasileiro     Carolina Dog versus Brittany     Carolina Dog versus Shihpoo     Carolina Dog versus Bulldog     Carolina Dog versus Bernese Mountain Dog     

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Labrador Retriever     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pharaoh Hound     Shetland Sheepdog versus Labradoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Norwegian Buhund     Shetland Sheepdog versus Schnoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Doberman Pinscher     Shetland Sheepdog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Shetland Sheepdog versus English Setter     Shetland Sheepdog versus German Shepherd Dog     Shetland Sheepdog versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Dalmatian     Shetland Sheepdog versus Vizsla     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bluetick Coonhound     Shetland Sheepdog versus Akita     Shetland Sheepdog versus Havanese     Shetland Sheepdog versus Irish Setter     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pharaoh Hound     Shetland Sheepdog versus Cesky Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus King Shepherd     Shetland Sheepdog versus American Eskimo Dog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Cane Corso     Shetland Sheepdog versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Scottish Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pharaoh Hound     Shetland Sheepdog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     

    Conclusion: Carolina Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Carolina Dog and the Shetland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.