Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Smooth Collie - Breed Comparison

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Smooth Collie - Breed ComparisonBoth Smooth Collie and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier are originated from United Kingdom. Smooth Collie may grow 6 cm / 3 inches higher than Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. Smooth Collie may weigh 10 kg / 23 pounds more than Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. Both Smooth Collie and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier has same life span. Smooth Collie may have more litter size than Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. Both Smooth Collie and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Terrier dog
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United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Height Male:
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
Height Female:
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
8 - 12
2 - 8
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Collie
Wheaten, Wheatie
Colors Available:
Light gold, deep mahogany and grey, tricolour of white, black, tan
tan, gingerish, Fawn, wheaten
Coat:
Short, dense
Soft, silky, wavy to curly
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

smooth collieWhen you see the Smooth Collie you just assume that you’re looking at a long-haired Lassie-type Collie that was sent to the groomers.

The Smooth Collie has always been used for herding purposes and is a short haired version of the Rough Collie. The early history of this dog is unknown and there are quite a few stories surrounding its history.

It seems as though the dog’s history started during the reign of Queen Victoria who is believed to have owned these dogs.

In some countries it is thought that the smooth- and rough collie are one and the same while in other countries they are classified as separate breeds. The dog hails from the United Kingdom and they classify the Smooth Collie as a separate breed from the Rough Collie.

soft coated wheaten terrierThis wheaten colored terrier hails from Ireland. Although the Wheaten has been around for a long time, it was in 1937 that he was recognized as a breed in Ireland.

The British Kennel Club also recognized the Wheaten and the dog was also exported to the United States. Serious interest started being shown for the Terrier in the 1970s. It was in 1973 that they were recognised by the American Kennel Club.

Description

smooth collie puppy - descriptionThe Smooth Collie is a medium to large sized dog, ranging in size from 51–56cm and weighing anything from 18kg to 30kg.

The Smooth Collie is slightly longer than it is tall and he has a deep chest. Most people are very familiar with the sweet, gentle expression of the Collie dogs.

The dog also has the long slender head, the semi-erect ears and a long tail. The coat of the Smooth Collie is dense and long with the outer hair being straight and harsh. The Smooth Collie comes in different colors – fawn, reddish brown, white,grey, black and tan.

Temperament:

The Smooth Collie is generally an amicable dog, sociable and friendly. He loves his human family and wants to be constantly with them, showing signs of separation anxiety when left for long periods on his own.

He is intelligent too so that he is easily trained. He is totally non-aggressive but that doesn’t stop him from being an excellent watchdog and he’ll alert you to strangers approaching you or your home.

They’re also energetic dogs and will require regular exercise. Although these Smooth Collies make splendid family pets, they are still used for herding purposes.

soft coated wheaten terrier puppy - descriptionThe Wheaten is a medium sized dog standing at between 43 and 50cm and weighing between 13 and 20kg both male and female. The coat of the dog is soft, silky and wavy to even curly and is a wheaten to ginger color.

The coat of the puppy is dark but as he grows up it changes into the wheaten color although the ears may be a dark brown color. Pet owners like that the Wheaten is a very low shedding dog.

Temperament:

Playful, social and friendly, the Wheaten has always been put to good use on the farm. These days he is pet and companion. He is energetic and playful so children love having him around.

He is slightly more hyper and energetic than other Terrier breeds so will require a good dose of exercise.

He is smart and strong willed, and training and socialization turns him into an amicable pet to have around, so much so that he is sought after as a therapy-dog.

They’re easy-going dogs with no aggression issues but they still make great watch dogs and want to do whatever it takes to look after- and protect their human family.

Characteristics

The Smooth Collie ticks all the right boxes for making a splendid pet.

smooth collie dog - characteristicsNot only is he intelligent, he is playful and energetic too, making a good pet for children and tolerating other pets too.

Add to that the fact that he is a a good watchdog and wants to protect his family. Sweet and gentle, the Smooth Collie is guaranteed to make a wonderful addition to your family.

soft coated wheaten terrier dog - characteristicsThe Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has always made an excellent farm dog, but today he is more suited as pet and companion.

He adapts easily to life in the city or the countryside. Wherever he is, he will need his exercise. He also longs to be an active part of his human family, and then he’s happy, lively, social and friendly and is a great playmate for children.

He also gets on well with other dogs and will make you a fantastic family pet.

Health Problems

smooth collie puppies - health problemsYour gentle smooth haired collie can live to be 12 to 14 years of age if he enjoys a good life, but like with other dog breeds, they can also be susceptible to certain common dog illnesses.

Collie Eye Anomaly:

This is when the chromosomes that determine how the eyes develop are mutated, so that the blood vessels that nourish the retina and absorb scattered light are underdeveloped. When this mutation occurs it is in both eyes, but one eye could be more severely affected than the other.

Your vet will do a complete examination of your dog’s eyes to find out what the extent of the defect is.

Bloat or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus:

This is a life threatening problem where the stomach twists. It is more prevalent in deep chested dogs. It can help by feeding your dog two smaller meals a day instead of one larger one which he gobbles up quickly.

Cyclic Neutropenia:

Also known as Gray Collie Syndrome, this rare disease affects the neutrophils of a dog, which are an important part of the immune system. Bacterial infections and a shortened lifespan are your dog’s lot with this illness.

soft coated wheaten terrier puppies - health problemsWhen you bring a Wheaten Terrier into your home, you’re not likely to have too many vet fees as he tends to be a healthy dog breed, being able to reach 13, 14 or 15 years of age with good care.

Look out for a dog ailment known as Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). This is a condition where the dog isn’t able to properly absorb protein in the digestive tract, so that it is passed in their stools.

It can be fatal, but if caught early, some dietary changes can keep it under control.

Also, look out for inflammatory bowel disease. This disease occurs when the stomach of the dog has a large number of inflammatory cells which can change the lining of the digestive tract, preventing the normal absorption of food.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

smooth collie dogs - caringYour Smooth Collie deserves the very best food there is because of the wonderful companionship he provides you with. You want him to enjoy good health and a long life with you.

If you buy one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure it is one of the best – packed with vitamins and minerals and good, natural ingredients.

Follow the instructions on the packaging for portion sizes. Also include some plain, wholesome dog food made at home. The perfect example of this is boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots all chopped up and added to your dog’s dry kibble as a treat twice a week. No need to add in exotic spices. Avoid onions.

Try and include some raw meat into the diet once in a while too. Make sure your Smooth Collie has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Spay or Neuter:

This is one of the best things you can do for your Collie, eliminating the possibility of your pet becoming a parent of unwanted puppies.

Grooming:

Brush your Smooth Collie twice a week. He is a moderate shedder but has a couple of heavier shedding periods.

While brushing your pet, check inside the ears for signs of infection, check that his eyes are still bright and alert and check inside his mouth for bad teeth. He can’t tell you about a rotting tooth and this can cause a host of other problems for your dog.

Grooming:

soft coated wheaten terrier dogs - caringBrush your pet’s silky coat twice a week. Such a silky coat can get all tangled and matted. If you prefer, many people opt to rather have the Wheaten’s coat professionally clipped as then it is easier to handle. They like to have the hair clipped that hangs over the dog’s eyes.

Other grooming tasks require you to check inside his ears for redness which could indicate an infection. Trim his nails and check him over for ticks and fleas.

Training:

Have your Wheatie trained and socialized as he is a stubborn dog breed and you want him to be well mannered and obedient.

Exercise:

Terriers like this are energetic dogs and he is going to need exercise every day. A walk for a dog is always a welcome experience as it gives him the opportunity to sniff around and pick up new smells. Play ball- or frisbee games with him as this can tire him out a bit.

Veterinary Care:

If your dog shows signs of illness, get him to the vet. He is such a feisty dog that it can be unbearable to see him out of sorts.

Diet:

Terriers are energetic dogs so if you feed your dog one of the commercial dog foods, make sure the label indicates what food it is. This is because the foods are manufactured according to the type of dog it is, its age, size and energy levels.

Always try and go for the high quality foods which don’t have all those unhealthy ingredients in them. Try to include some home-made food – nothing exotic and spicy – just plain, wholesome food that won’t upset his stomach.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots is super tasty and nutritious. You can chop it up and add it to your pet’s kibble twice a week.

Try and include a little bit of raw meat to his diet occasionally as this can go towards ensuring he doesn’t get skin diseases. Always ensure he has a constant supply of fresh, cool water available.

Comparison with other breeds

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  5. Smooth Collie vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Smooth Collie vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Smooth Collie vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Smooth Collie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Smooth Collie vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Smooth Collie vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Smooth Collie vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  26. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  28. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison