Shetland Sheep Dog

Description: The Shetland Sheepdog bears resemblance to the Rough Collie. Strong, nimble and lightly built the Sheltie is a fast runner and can jump well. Shetland Sheepdog puppies are beguiling and exhibit a desire to please from a very young age. Intuitive and responsive to their owners’ wishes, they make charming family pets. Take care that they are not startled, teased, or left alone as Shetland Sheepdogs can be barky when excited or lonely.

Other Names: Sheltie

Type: Herding Dog

Height: 13 – 16 inches Weight: 14 – 16 lbs.

Colors: Sable, tricolor, blue merle, black and white and black and tan. Coat: Outer coat of long, straight, harsh-textured hair; soft, short-haired close undercoat.

Temperament: Shetland Sheepdogs are active, intelligent, loyal, affectionate. With Children: Yes, as long as children are not too rowdy. With Pets: Yes, gets along well with other dogs, cats and small animals. Special Skills: Sheepdog or family pet.

Watch-dog: High Guard-dog: Very Low

Care and Exercise: Regular brushing is important to the Shetland Sheepdog. Mist the coat lightly with water before you begin and tease out mats. Check behind the ears, hindquarters and beneath the shoulders for tangles. Use a comb sparingly. Shelties shed twice a year. Bathe or dry shampoo when necessary. Needs plenty of active exercise. Training: The Sheltie is not difficult to train but they will enjoy time spent in obedience or agility classes. Learning Rate: Very High, Obedience – Very High, Problem Solving – Very High

Activity: Indoors – High, Outdoors – Very High Living Environment: Shetland Sheepdogs will adapt to small living quarters if given daily sufficient exercise making them good in a suburban home or an apartment. An owner of a Sheltie must be able to give them a considerable amount of grooming.

Health Issues: Generally healthy, may suffer from cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy.

Life Span: 12 – 14 years Litter Size: 4 – 6

Country of Origin: Great Britain History: Claiming ancestry from the Collies of Scotland the Shetland Sheepdog arrived from the Shetland Islands to mainland England before World War I. The Sheltie has been bred true in the Shetland Islands off the north coast of Scotland for more than 135 years.

First Registered by the AKC: 1911 AKC Group: Herding Group Class: Herding Group Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 1), KC(GB), UKC