Shetland Sheepdog Breed Information:
Canines of the Shetland Sheepdog dog breed stood guard for farmers in the Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland, keeping hungry birds and sheep out of the farmer’s garden, and they served as herding dogs as well. Today they’re excellent family companions and superstars in dog sports. Many fans of the breed affectionately refer to these pups as Shelties.
Shetland Sheepdog Group: Herding Dogs.
Shetland Sheepdog Height: 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder.
Shetland Sheepdog Weight: Starts at 20 pounds.
Shetland Sheepdog Life Span: 12 to 15 years.
More About This Dog Breed:
Shetland Sheepdogs are extremely intelligent and like to have a job to do. They can be stubborn, however. Make training fun and allow them time to make up their own minds to do what you want them to do. Many Shetland Sheepdogs are very vocal, and they have a loud, piercing bark. To keep your relations with neighbors friendly, it's important to train your Sheltie at an early age to stop barking on command. Shelties have a lot of energy and need to be able to run. They thrive on activities such as agility and flyball, where they get both mental and physical exercise. Expect your Sheltie to shed profusely in the spring, and sometimes at other times in the year.
Shetland Sheepdog History:
The Shetland Sheepdog hails from the rugged Shetland Islands, which lie between Scotland and Norway, about 50 miles north of Scotland and a bit south of the Arctic Circle. These islands are also home to other small breeds of animals, such as Shetland Ponies and Shetland Sheep.
Shetland Sheepdog Size:
The Shetland Sheepdog stands between 13 and 16 inches tall at the shoulder, but it's not unusual for them to be over- or undersize. A typical Sheltie weighs about 22 pounds, but a large one can weigh as much as 35 or 40 pounds.
Shetland Sheepdog Personality:
The Shetland Sheepdog is intensely loyal, gentle, and sensitive. There's a wide range of personalities in the breed, from outgoing and boisterous to calm and sedate to shy or retiring.
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Shetland Sheepdog Health:
Shetland Sheepdogs are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Not all Shelties will get any or all of these diseases:
Hypothyroidism.
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA).
Von Willebrand's Disease.
Canine hip dysplasia.
Dermatomyositis.
Shetland Sheepdog Care:
Although Shetland Sheepdogs were bred to withstand harsh weather conditions, they love their people and should live indoors with them as part of the family. Because of their small size, Shelties can do well in an apartment if their people are committed to providing daily walks and playtime, as well as training them not to bark incessantly. While they can be relatively inactive indoors, Shelties were bred to be working farm dogs and need ample exercise. In general, Shelties respond best to positive reinforcement such as praise, play, and food rewards.
Shetland Sheepdog Feeding:
Recommended daily amount: 3/4 to 2 cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals.
Shetland Sheepdog Coat Color And Grooming:
Shetland Sheepdogs have a double coat. The undercoat is short and dense, causing the longer, harsher topcoat to stand out from the body. You'll see three basic colors in the breed, all with varying amounts of white and/or tan markings: Sable, ranging from golden to mahogany, Black, Blue Merle (blue-gray with black). The Shetland Sheepdog's beautiful coat requires, at a minimum, a thorough weekly brushing with a pin brush. A proper Sheltie coat a harsh outer coat and soft undercoat sheds dirt and repels water, so Shelties need baths only when they get really dirty, which varies from dog to dog. Trim nails once or twice a month. If you can hear them clicking on the floor, they're too long.
Shetland Sheepdog with Children And Other Pets:
Shetland Sheepdogs are excellent family companions, especially when they're raised with children who know how to handle dogs respectfully. When it comes to other dogs, Shelties have a definite preference for their own kind, even if they don't live with other Shelties.