Pyrenean Shepherd vs Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)

A Pyrenean Shepherd
Photo: Canarian
A Shetland Sheepdog
Photo: ApiStart

Side by side

Pyrenean Shepherd
Shetland Sheepdog
Adult weight
6.8–14 kg (15–30 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 7–11 kg (15–24 lb); females 6–10 kg (13–22 lb) (breed club figure)2
Height
Males 40–54 cm; females 40–52 cm3
Males 34.5–39.5 cm; females 33–38 cm (breed club figure)2
Lifespan
No sourced figure
Median 13.4 years4
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes5
Group
Sheepdogs & cattledogs3
Sheepdogs & cattledogs6
Coat
Coat of medium length3
Long coat6
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
Brushing a few times a week
Daily brushing
Exercise
Plenty
Health
No sourced figure
Underactive thyroid (much more likely); Melanoma of the eye or eyelid (more likely)7,8
Class
Sport
Companion

Which suits you

Size
The Pyrenean Shepherd is a little larger on average: about 10 kg (22 lb) as an adult, against 8.5 kg (19 lb) for the Shetland Sheepdog.
Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Pyrenean Shepherd sheds through the year, the Shetland Sheepdog moults most as the seasons change.
Grooming
The Shetland Sheepdog needs more grooming, daily brushing, where the Pyrenean Shepherd needs brushing a few times a week.
Temperament
They differ most on handler demand (Pyrenean Shepherd: needs an experienced owner; Shetland Sheepdog: suits a first-time owner) and on affection (Pyrenean Shepherd: affectionate on its own terms; Shetland Sheepdog: a lap or leaning dog).
Alike
Both are rated the same on loyalty: sticks close to its people.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Pyrenean Shepherd
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Small

The breed is quick, intense and tireless, and forms a strong attachment to its own people while tending to stay reserved with strangers.

Shetland Sheepdog
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Small

Shelties learn quickly, respond well to handling and are closely attached to their own people, though they are often reserved with strangers.

The Pyrenean Shepherd page →The Shetland Sheepdog page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Pyrenean Shepherd
Shetland Sheepdog
Activity
Needs lots of exercise
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Needs daily brain work
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Differs
Needs an experienced owner
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Pyrenean Shepherd
Shetland Sheepdog
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Keen to work with you
Around the home
Pyrenean Shepherd
Shetland Sheepdog
Sensitivity
Needs a calm, predictable home
Needs a calm, predictable home
Voice
Very vocal
Very vocal
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour9. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home10,11.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Pyrenean Shepherd grows to the heavier adult, about 10 kg against the Shetland Sheepdog's 8.5 kg.
Pyrenean Shepherd
Shetland Sheepdog
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More comparisons

Compare the Pyrenean Shepherd with
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Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·