Welsh Sheepdogs (and other sheepdogs)

[OneDayIWillLearn]

Does anyone have any experience of Welsh Sheepdogs (as opposed to Border Collies)? What are they like and how similar to Border Collies?

Also any experience of other sheepdog breeds that people like? (I know lots about Border Collies and their needs/ ways from childhood dogs and family members owning them, and I really like them so they are a top contender….but I’m interested in other options).

Early stages of research!!

Welsh sheep dog (purest may differ) but they are very very similar to the Border collies in energy and intelligence. Breeding is more of an issue with both of them rather than the actual breed. They are very intelligent and need a lot of stimulation - oh same as borders!

Welsh sheep dogs are often bred specifically to work, unlike some show border collies so from the breeding you would have an intelligent, active dogs.

Originally they herded cows as well as sheep so had to be pretty fearless. They can be breed to be more drover than herdy and so can be barky as that is bred and encouraged by the farmers. They are less likely to have the eye/stare, shoulders up of the border collie but dont let this fool you they will bark and move the herd.

I have Border Collies but would not consider a Welsh Collie (although did have one to foster for a couple of years)

I have a Welsh Sheepdog.

She is 18mnths now, very intelligent, and picks things up very quickly. She is quite independent and can be stubborn at home when she doesn't want to do what you ask.

She hasn't got a hard eye and doesn't splat or stalk like a border collie. She is upright and would use her mouth and voice to herd. She would be more of a drovers dog as she loves to run and do a fly-by with our other dog. She is a bit sensitive to some noises.

At home she is very chill when exercised and given enough mental stimulation. She has a 30 min sniffy walk in the morning, an hour field walk in the afternoon and a few 5-10 minutes training sessions throughout the day. we also do hoopers. She loves a nice long snooze at lunchtime, settles well at night and really doesn't like to get up before 8am.

Ask away if there is anything else you would like to know

I have a Welsh collie (I think!). He was billed as a border collie when I got him but he isn’t. I had a border before. He’s very similar but much more barky. He’s absolutely fearless but I’m not sure whether it’s just how he is or it’s how the breed is.

Thanks! I’m still deliberating actually. We live on a farm and I would like a dog that I could train to herd as that is sometimes needed… but the volume of work isn’t all day, every day by any means so I’m worried it wouldn’t be stimulating enough for a collie or Welsh Sheepdog unless they were also getting a lot of extra exercise/ stimulation….which I could potentially offer but I’m still weighing it all up.

Currently also considering a corgi for herding!

But still deliberating. I think our ideal window for getting the next dog will be spring or summer next year so still a work in progress….

Have a look at kelpies, too. I think there are some in the UK.

My understanding is they don’t necessarily need a full day’s work every day though they do need exercise.

But excellent herders, love a nice family life and friendly.