smooth collie questions:?

1) how are they in terms of training and energy, as well as destruction when bored, compared to the rough collie?

2) are smooth collies “rare”? i know that they compete in agility and stuff so they’re out there, but how difficult are they to find from breeders?

i love the rough collie but i’m partial to shorter hair and i want a dog with higher energy levels than the average rough collie, with more drive, too. but i love the calm temperament of the rough. i’ve read that smooths can be snappy and more shy, as well as more destructive.
any experienced owners out there? thanks.

Is a rough collie a good first dog?

I’ve never owned a dog before (I’ve had plenty of cats and have experience walking my neighbour’s greyhound), but when we move house soon, I’d like to buy one at last. I feel it’s a good chance for me to get more exercise taking care of something that needs walking often, and I love rough collies. So would this be a good choice for a first dog?
I’m 19, live with my mother and I’m unemployed. I also have no children and my only other pets are goldfish.

What are some general guidelines to find a good breeder?

I’m not looking at getting a dog now, but rather in the future – however, I’ve got some great contacts that may not be here in a few years (or I may not) so I figured I would ask now.

My next dog I would love to be from a breeder, as I want a bit more of a guarantee in what I’m looking for. I know it will be either an Aussie or a Rough Collie, and I’m looking more seriously at a Rough Collie as I think it would be a better choice to begin with – I’m interested in becoming involved in agility and I’m very much a beginner, so I would want a more patient, and less intense dog to work with starting out.

We had Collies as a child and I’ve had Aussies before, so I do know what to expect from both breeds; I have also done independent research.

Anyhow, I know how to sort a breeder out theoretically – as far as health testing goes and the like. However, I know it’s very common for breeds like Rough Collies to have weak temperaments, and after owning a severely fearful dog, it is NOT something I want to deal with.

There aren’t (to my knowledge) many breeders around the NE KS area, where I am from, so I may have to look elsewhere in the country. Even if I were to meet the parents personally, how would I know the the puppy would have a strong, stable temperament? I’m sure that those who know different breeders well would know who produces the best dogs in that regard – is that something I could find out by contacting a member of the breed club?

Thanks for any helpful answers 🙂
I actually already have two rescue dogs – they’re great, but it’s impossible to find a Collie puppy in a rescue/shelter and temperament is far too important to me.
Thanks for the advice, Rayven, I’ll look into it. From what I understand, working Collies are few and far between, but I could be wrong. I’m not concerned about handling a high-drive or high-energy dog, though I do know that Collies in general aren’t quite as high-energy as an Aussie would be.

Hopefully UHave2Be will stumble upon this question as well.