Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Shetland Sheepdog
- Temperament of the Flat-Coated Retriever Versus the Shetland Sheepdog
- Price of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog
- The Intelligence of the Flat-Coated Retriever versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog
- The Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog
- Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Shetland Sheepdog
- Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Shetland Sheepdog
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Shetland Sheepdog
- Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Shetland Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever or the Shetland Sheepdog
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview
A very important difference between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Flat-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Shetland Sheepdog is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Flat-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
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.
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Flat-Coated Retriever 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.
Factor | Flat-Coated Retriever | Shetland Sheepdog |
---|---|---|
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Height | 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder |
Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 1/5 |
Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 2/5 |
General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Weight | 55 to 70 pounds | Starts at 20 pounds |
Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
Average Price | $1350 | $1590 |
Price Range | $1150 – $1800 | $1000 – $2000 |
Temperament Score | 92.0 percent | 68.9 percent |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 94 | 23 |
Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 18 | 6 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 a Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shetland Sheepdog is a better pet than the Flat-Coated Retriever. 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog
The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Shetland Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog.
Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall 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.
Temperament of the Flat-Coated Retriever Versus the Shetland Sheepdog
The Flat-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.
This is because the temperament score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 92.0 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 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 they 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 92.0 percent, the Flat-Coated Retriever has an above-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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 87 Flat-Coated Retrievers and 515 Shetland Sheepdogs.
Price of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog
The average price of the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is $1350. The price of the Flat-Coated Retriever typically ranges from $1150 – $1800. However, the price of a Flat-Coated Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 a 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 Flat-Coated Retriever.
Flat-Coated Retriever | Shetland Sheepdog | |
---|---|---|
Average Price | $1350 | $1590 |
Price Range | $1150 to $1800 | $1000 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Flat-Coated Retriever and Shetland Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many Flat-Coated Retriever puppies or how many Shetland Sheepdog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the Flat-Coated Retriever versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog
Flat-Coated Retriever | Shetland Sheepdog | |
---|---|---|
Intelligence Rank | 18 out of 130 dog breeds | 6 out of 130 dog breeds |
Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Flat-Coated Retriever has an obedience intelligence rank of 18 out of 130 dog breeds. The Flat-Coated Retriever belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Flat-Coated Retrievers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Shetland Sheepdog has an obedience intelligence rank of 6 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Shetland Sheepdogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Shetland Sheepdog is more intelligent than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shetland Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Flat-Coated Retriever. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 94 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever
Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog
Year | Flat-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank | Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
---|---|---|
2013 | 94 | 21 |
2014 | 92 | 21 |
2015 | 86 | 23 |
2016 | 89 | 24 |
2017 | 96 | 24 |
2018 | 91 | 25 |
2019 | 104 | 25 |
2020 | 102 | 27 |
Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Shetland Sheepdog than for the Flat-Coated Retriever.
3 health tests are recommended for Flat-Coated Retriever while 4 tests are recommended for the Shetland Sheepdog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and in Shetland Sheepdogs.
Flat-Coated Retriever Health Problems
Flat-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Flat-Coated Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Flat-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Flat-Coated Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Flat-Coated Retrievers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Flat-Coated Retrievers here.
Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems
Shetland Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shetland Sheepdog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Shetland Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shetland Sheepdog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Shetland Sheepdogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and Shetland Sheepdogs
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Flat-Coated Retriever Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Flat-Coated Retriever ranks 28 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 241 Flat-Coated Retrievers, 14 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Flat-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Flat-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Shetland Sheepdog Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks 3 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 633 Shetland Sheepdogs, 5 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Shetland Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Shetland Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Flat-Coated Retriever and in Shetland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog:
Disease | Flat-Coated Retriever Rank | Shetland Sheepdog Rank |
---|---|---|
Thyroid problems | 28 out of 115 dog breeds | 5 out of 115 dog breeds |
Patella problems | 85 out of 145 dog breeds | 89 out of 145 dog breeds |
Elbow problems | 129 out of 144 dog breeds | 101 out of 144 dog breeds |
Eyes problems | 129 out of 182 dog breeds | 122 out of 182 dog breeds |
Hips problems | 172 out of 198 dog breeds | 166 out of 198 dog breeds |
Collie Eye Anomaly problems | Not Common | 3 out of 7 dog breeds |
Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | Not Common | 4 out of 7 dog breeds |
Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 6 out of 49 dog breeds |
Von Willebrands problems | Not Common | 6 out of 15 dog breeds |
Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 46 out of 70 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Shetland Sheepdog
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.
Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Shetland Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.
Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Shetland Sheepdog
Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.
Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.
Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Shetland Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.
Shetland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.
Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.
Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Shetland Sheepdog
Flat-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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.
Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Shetland Sheepdogs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Shetland Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Flat-Coated Retriever and how the Shetland Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and of the Shetland Sheepdog to other breeds:
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Braque du Bourbonnais Flat-Coated Retriever versus Beaglier Flat-Coated Retriever versus Miniature Poodle Flat-Coated Retriever versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Flat-Coated Retriever versus Cocker Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever versus Belgian Malinois Flat-Coated Retriever versus Pyrenean Shepherd Flat-Coated Retriever versus Toy Poodle Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labrador Retriever Flat-Coated Retriever versus Kishu Ken
Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shetland Sheepdog versus Border Collie Shetland Sheepdog versus Karelian Bear Dog Shetland Sheepdog versus Kuvasz Shetland Sheepdog versus Collie Shetland Sheepdog versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Shetland Sheepdog versus Shih Tzu Shetland Sheepdog versus American Pit Bull Terrier Shetland Sheepdog versus Finnish Lapphund Shetland Sheepdog versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Shetland Sheepdog versus Finnish Lapphund
Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.