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Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdog
History:

Country/Date of Origin: Great Britain/1700s

Looks are deceiving. The Shetland Sheepdog is not a miniature Collie. The Highland Collie is a shepherding specialist. The Sheltie, on the other hand, is a farm dog of all trades. It herds sheep and ducks, pigs and cattle too. It keeps the barn and garden free of vermin and warns of intruders, human or animal on the property. The harsh, bleak Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland, are known for their miniature animals such as the Shetland pony and the Shetland Sheepdog. Life was hard in the islands and the animals were small but tough as the conditions demanded. The breed began to come to prominence in 1908 when the Scottish Club was formed. In 1911 the American Kennel Club began to include this diminutive sheepdog in its registry and by the 1950s it was close to the top on the popularity chart.

 Other Names Body Type Personality Coat Health Concerns

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Sheltie

AKC Group: Herding

Breed Club: American Shetland Sheepdog Association

Rescue Club: American Shetland Sheepdog Rescue

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Body Type:

  • Resembles a Collie in miniature
  • Height: 12-16 inches (at shoulder)
  • Weight: 14-22 pounds
  • The tail is long and carried low. It is never altered
  • The ears are small and set close together. The tips should fold forward. Ears are never altered

Personality:

  • Good natured and eager to please
  • Intelligent and trainable
  • On the soft side in temperament, even timid sometimes
  • Excessive barking. Many owners have a compulsive barker's vocal cords cut
  • Good with children
  • Standoffish with strangers

Coat:

  • Double coat that consists of a long and straight, harsh outer coat and a dense soft undercoat; hair stands well off the skin
  • Water resistant
  • Sheds heavily and requires frequent brushing
  • Permissible colors are sable (ranging from golden to mahogany), blue merle, tricolor and bi-black. Solid white is not allowed as this color may be linked to a deafness gene

Health Concerns:

  • Eye problems
  • Epilepsy
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Congenital heart problems
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Skin disorders
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Tasty Tidbits:
  • Choose a puppy that is outgoing and avoid one with any sign of shyness
  • Very popular breed. Regularly in the top fifteen of the AKC registered breeds