Scottish Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Scottish Terrier Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier or the Shetland Sheepdog.

Scottish Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog

Scottish Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview

Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are similar in size. The Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Scottish Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Scottish Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog

Factor Scottish Terrier Shetland Sheepdog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 1/5 5/5
Life Span 11 to 13 years 12 to 15 years
Weight 18 to 22 pounds Starts at 20 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
Height Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1750 $1590
Price Range $1398 – $2000 $1000 – $2000
Temperament Score 65.7 percent 68.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • OFA
  • Patellar Luxation
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 57 23
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 65 6

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier is 77 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 Scottish Terrier. 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 Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Scottish Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are most different:

  • Scottish Terriers are not easy to train. However, Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.
  • Scottish Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Scottish Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • The Similarities Between the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog 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.
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Both the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Scottish Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Scottish Terriers weigh 18 to 22 pounds when fully grown. Scottish Terriers are Up to 10 inches 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.

    Lifespan of Scottish Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog

    The lifespan of Scottish Terriers is between 11 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Scottish Terriers is 12.0 years.

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs live longer than Scottish Terriers.

    Scottish Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Temperament of the Scottish Terrier Versus the Shetland Sheepdog

    The Shetland Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Scottish Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 percent while the temperament score for the Scottish Terrier is 65.7 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 65.7 percent, the Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 35 Scottish Terriers and 515 Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Price of Scottish Terrier versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog

    The average price of the Scottish Terrier puppy is $1750. The price of the Scottish Terrier typically ranges from $1398 – $2000. However, the price of a Scottish Terrier can be as low as $800 and as high as $3750. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 115 Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier is more expensive than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Scottish Terrier Shetland Sheepdog
    Average Price $1750 $1590
    Price Range $1398 to $2000 $1000 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Scottish Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Scottish Terriers. 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 Scottish Terrier 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.

    Scottish Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Adopting the Scottish Terrier versus Adopting the Shetland Sheepdog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Scottish Terriers 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 Scottish Terrier named Mcarthur that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Scottish Terriers like Mcarthur on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Scottish Terriers, Shetland Sheepdogs are also available for adoption. For example, Cisco is a Male Shetland Sheepdog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shetland Sheepdogs like Cisco that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Buddy is the name of another Scottish Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, ~Courtesy~Simon And Shu Shu is an adorable Male Shetland Sheepdog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Scottish Terriers and Shetland Sheepdogs are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Scottish Terriers and Shetland Sheepdogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Scottish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog

    Scottish Terrier Shetland Sheepdog
    Intelligence Rank 65 out of 130 dog breeds 6 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • 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 Scottish Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 65 out of 130 dog breeds. The Scottish Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Scottish Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 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 Scottish Terrier.

    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 Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier. 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 Scottish Terrier is 57 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Scottish Terrier

    Popularity of Scottish Terrier

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Year Scottish Terrier Popularity Rank Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 55 21
    2014 59 21
    2015 58 23
    2016 58 24
    2017 58 24
    2018 57 25
    2019 56 25
    2020 57 27

    Health Problems of Scottish Terrier versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Shetland Sheepdog than for the Scottish Terrier.

    3 health tests are recommended for Scottish Terrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Scottish Terriers and in Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Scottish Terrier Health Problems

    Scottish Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terriers for:

  • OFA
  • Patellar Luxation
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Scottish Terriers 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:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Scottish Terriers 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 Scottish Terrier Breed is Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems.

    This is because the Scottish Terrier ranks 2 out of 2 dog breeds for Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 244 Scottish Terriers, 0 of them had Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Scottish Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Scottish Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems: Rank 2 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 30 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 54 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 79 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • 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:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly problems: Rank 3 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 4 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 5 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 6 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 6 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 46 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 89 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 101 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 122 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 166 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Scottish Terrier and in Shetland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog:

    Disease Scottish Terrier Rank Shetland Sheepdog Rank
    Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems 2 out of 2 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 30 out of 145 dog breeds 89 out of 145 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 54 out of 115 dog breeds 5 out of 115 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 79 out of 182 dog breeds 122 out of 182 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
    Elbow problems Not Common 101 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 166 out of 198 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Scottish Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Scottish Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Scottish Terriers shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Scottish Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the Scottish Terrier or the Shetland Sheepdog

    Scottish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Scottish Terrier or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Scottish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Scottish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Scottish Terriers 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.

    Do Scottish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Scottish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Can Scottish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Scottish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Scottish Terrier vs. Shetland Sheepdog

    Scottish Terriers 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.

    Can Scottish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Scottish Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

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

    Scottish Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Scottish Terriers good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Scottish Terriers 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 Scottish Terriers and Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Scottish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Scottish Terrier Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Scottish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Scottish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Scottish Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Scottish Terriers 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 Scottish Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier:

  • Lakeland Terrier (79 percent match with Scottish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Puli (79 percent match with Scottish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Puli.
  • 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 Scottish Terrier vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Scottish Terrier vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Scottish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Scottish Terrier versus Dachshund     Scottish Terrier versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Scottish Terrier versus Yorkipoo     Scottish Terrier versus Cockalier     Scottish Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog     Scottish Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Scottish Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres     Scottish Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     Scottish Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Scottish Terrier versus Pointer     Scottish Terrier versus Pomeranian     Scottish Terrier versus Beaglier     Scottish Terrier versus Biewer Terrier     Scottish Terrier versus Basenji     Scottish Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Scottish Terrier versus Patterdale Terrier     Scottish Terrier versus Basenji     Scottish Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog     Scottish Terrier versus Miniature Poodle     Scottish Terrier versus English Setter     Scottish Terrier versus Pomapoo     Scottish Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher     Scottish Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Scottish Terrier versus Dachshund     

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Barbet     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pomsky     Shetland Sheepdog versus Alaskan Malamute     Shetland Sheepdog versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Morkie     Shetland Sheepdog versus Chow Chow     Shetland Sheepdog versus Mastiff     Shetland Sheepdog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Welsh Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus German Pinscher     Shetland Sheepdog versus Mal Shi     Shetland Sheepdog versus Goldendoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bulldog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Clumber Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Shetland Sheepdog versus Berger Picard     Shetland Sheepdog versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Toy Fox Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Shetland Sheepdog versus Brussels Griffon     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pomeranian     Shetland Sheepdog versus Leonberger     Shetland Sheepdog versus Alaskan Klee Kai     

    Conclusion: Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.