Which is Better between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky? A Very Detailed Review.

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Shetland Sheepdog Versus Siberian Husky: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky 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 Shetland Sheepdog and for the Siberian Husky. 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky.

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

Shetland Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky

Shetland Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Siberian Husky belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Shetland Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Shetland Sheepdog to the Siberian Husky 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky

Factor Shetland Sheepdog Siberian Husky
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Weight Starts at 20 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1590 $1080
Price Range $1000 – $2000 $700 – $1250
Temperament Score 68.9 percent 86.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- min age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 23 13
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 6 45

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Siberian Husky. 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 Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Siberian Husky is 71 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shetland Sheepdog is a better pet than the Siberian Husky. 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky

    Below is a list of where the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky are most different:

  • Shetland Sheepdogs are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Siberian Huskys are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Siberian Huskys have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train. However, Siberian Huskys are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky

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

  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky are very playful.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Shetland Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky.

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

    On the other hand, Siberian Huskys weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Siberian Huskys are 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Shetland Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky

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

    The lifespan of Siberian Huskys is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Siberian Huskys is 13.5 years.

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky

    Temperament of the Siberian Husky Versus the Shetland Sheepdog

    The Siberian Husky has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Siberian Husky is 86.8 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 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 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 86.8 percent, the Siberian Husky has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky by measuring the temperaments of 515 Shetland Sheepdogs and 310 Siberian Huskys.

    Price of Shetland Sheepdog versus Price of Siberian Husky

    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 reviewing the prices of 153 Shetland Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Siberian Husky puppy is $1080. The price of the Siberian Husky typically ranges from $700 – $1250. However, the price of the Siberian Husky can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1036 Siberian Husky puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shetland Sheepdog is more expensive than the Siberian Husky.

    Shetland Sheepdog Siberian Husky
    Average Price $1590 $1080
    Price Range $1000 to $2000 $700 to $1250

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Siberian Huskys

    A breakdown of the prices of Siberian Huskys

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Shetland Sheepdog puppy or the Siberian Husky 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.

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky

    Adopting the Shetland Sheepdog versus Adopting the Siberian Husky

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Shetland Sheepdogs and many Siberian Huskys 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 Shetland Sheepdog named Cj & Brodie that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Shetland Sheepdogs like Cj & Brodie on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Shetland Sheepdogs, Siberian Huskys are also available for adoption. For example, Gelato is a Male Siberian Husky that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Siberian Huskys like Gelato that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Toby is the name of another Shetland Sheepdog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Yellowstone is an adorable Male Siberian Husky on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Shetland Sheepdogs and Siberian Huskys are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Shetland Sheepdogs and Siberian Huskys that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog versus the Intelligence of the Siberian Husky

    Shetland Sheepdog Siberian Husky
    Intelligence Rank 6 out of 130 dog breeds 45 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 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 Siberian Husky has an obedience intelligence rank of 45 out of 130 dog breeds. The Siberian Husky belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Siberian Huskys tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Shetland Sheepdog is more intelligent than the Siberian Husky.

    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 Shetland Sheepdog versus Popularity of Siberian Husky

    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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Siberian Husky is more popular with dog owners than the Shetland Sheepdog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Siberian Husky is 13 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Siberian Husky

    Popularity of Siberian Husky

    Year Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank Siberian Husky Popularity Rank
    2013 21 14
    2014 21 13
    2015 23 12
    2016 24 12
    2017 24 12
    2018 25 14
    2019 25 15
    2020 27 16

    Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog versus Health Problems of Siberian Husky

    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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Shetland Sheepdog than for the Siberian Husky.

    4 health tests are recommended for Shetland Sheepdog while 2 tests are recommended for the Siberian Husky.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Shetland Sheepdogs and in Siberian Huskys.

    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.

    Siberian Husky Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- min age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Siberian Huskys here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Shetland Sheepdogs and Siberian Huskys

    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
  • 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 Siberian Husky Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Siberian Husky ranks 46 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 131 Siberian Huskys, 1 of them had Dentition Database problems.

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

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 46 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 62 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 98 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 120 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 135 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 188 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Shetland Sheepdog and in Siberian Husky and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky:

    Disease Shetland Sheepdog Rank Siberian Husky Rank
    Collie Eye Anomaly problems 3 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems 4 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 5 out of 115 dog breeds 98 out of 115 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems 6 out of 49 dog breeds 46 out of 49 dog breeds
    Von Willebrands problems 6 out of 15 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 46 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 89 out of 145 dog breeds 120 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 101 out of 144 dog breeds 135 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 122 out of 182 dog breeds 62 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 166 out of 198 dog breeds 188 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: Shetland Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Siberian Huskys do not like to be left alone.

    Do Shetland Sheepdogs shed more than Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Siberian Husky

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Siberian Huskys drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Shetland Sheepdog or the Siberian Husky?

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

    Siberian Huskys require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Shetland Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Siberian Husky?

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

    Siberian Huskys have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Shetland Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Siberian Huskys Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Siberian Huskys can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Shetland Sheepdog vs. Siberian Husky

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

    Siberian Huskys have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Siberian Huskys Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Siberian Huskys can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Siberian Huskys get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Shetland Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Shetland Sheepdogs and Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Shetland Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Siberian Husky?

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Siberian Huskys are not easy to train.

    Is the Shetland Sheepdog Better for Apartment Owners than the Siberian Husky?

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Siberian Huskys do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Siberian Huskys are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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 Siberian Husky vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Siberian Husky vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Siberian Husky

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky:

  • Samoyed (75 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Samoyed.
  • Bloodhound (75 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Bloodhound.
  • Finnish Spitz (78 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Finnish Spitz.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Yorkipoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Great Dane     Shetland Sheepdog versus Harrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pyredoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Aussiedoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Dalmatian     Shetland Sheepdog versus Cockapoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pyredoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Dachshund     Shetland Sheepdog versus Goldador     Shetland Sheepdog versus Basset Hound     Shetland Sheepdog versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Welsh Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Saint Berdoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Shetland Sheepdog versus Saint Berdoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Italian Greyhound     Shetland Sheepdog versus Doberman Pinscher     Shetland Sheepdog versus Miniature Pinscher     Shetland Sheepdog versus American Water Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Standard Poodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus German Pinscher     Shetland Sheepdog versus Valley Bulldog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Maltese     

    Siberian Husky Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Siberian Husky versus Spinone Italiano     Siberian Husky versus English Setter     Siberian Husky versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Siberian Husky versus Japanese Chin     Siberian Husky versus American Eskimo Dog     Siberian Husky versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Siberian Husky versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Siberian Husky versus Scottish Deerhound     Siberian Husky versus English Toy Spaniel     Siberian Husky versus Samoyed     Siberian Husky versus Shih Tzu     Siberian Husky versus Black Mouth Cur     Siberian Husky versus Pomapoo     Siberian Husky versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Siberian Husky versus Saluki     Siberian Husky versus Keeshond     Siberian Husky versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Siberian Husky versus Papillon     Siberian Husky versus Lowchen     Siberian Husky versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Siberian Husky versus Shiloh Shepherd     Siberian Husky versus Bearded Collie     Siberian Husky versus Samoyed     Siberian Husky versus Tibetan Mastiff     

    Conclusion: Shetland Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky. 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 Shetland Sheepdog and the Siberian Husky better suits you and your family.