Shetland Sheepdog: Training, Characteristics, Exercise, Health

(Sheltie)

Group: AKC Herding, UKGB Pastoral

AKC Ranking: 24

Also Known As: Sheltie, Little Lassie

About Shetland Sheepdog

Origin and History of the Breed Probably descended from Scottish Rough Collies, the Shetland Sheepdog herded and guarded sheep on the Shetland Islands in Scotland. Just like the Shetland Pony and several varieties of sheep, the dog was bred to be a miniature size which survived the rugged island terrain better than large sizes, thus making them ideally suited for that terrain. Shetland Sheepdogs have a reputation for being gentle yet persistent with the sheep. They are rugged even though they look fragile. Hard workers who are smart, loyal and obedient, they are excellent at competitive obedience and agility as well as tracking, herding, watchdogging, guarding, and many other tasks.

They were first registered in England in 1909 and in the United States in 1911.

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A General Appearance of the Dog

Shetland Sheepdogs are known as miniature Collies or “little Lassies.” They look identical to a collie except smaller but in proportion. The Sheltie’s ears are supposed to be erect with tips that fold forward, but for a family pet it is okay if the ears have no fold. The Sheltie has a full, double coat that is medium long and very dense with a very heavy lion-like mane around his neck and chest.

The Sheltie should appear agile but strong with a long, wedge-shaped head like a fox. The nose may appear long and narrow. The tail is fairly long and feathered and wags a lot. His face is usually happy and questioning or gives the impression he knows something and is waiting for you to ask.

Coat Color

Shetland Sheepdogs are colored sable and white, tri-color (black, sable, and white), and blue merle (marbled). White is normally on the nose (and can go up the forehead) as a blaze, on the feet and/or legs, on the mane, and on the tail.

Coat Type

The Shetland Sheepdog has a full, double coat that is medium long and very dense with a mane around his neck and chest which may be very long. The Sheltie needs weekly brushing and sheds heavily in the spring and fall. His legs and tail are heavily feathered.

Height: 13-16 inches

Weight: 14 – 27 lbs

Personality

Temperament of the Dog

The Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, is a small dog breed that often is called “little Lassies” because they look like small Rough-coated Collies. Shelties are extremely intelligent, agile, calm, gentle, obedient, and loyal. They are playful, energetic and easy to train. They are delightful, very lively, and extremely intelligent and trainable. They love to please their owners.

Most Shelties make great companions and family dogs and get along well with children. Some tend to be very high-strung and nervous, so if you find one that is, it will be unreliable around young children.

Shelties love to please their owners and greatly enjoy the higher level training required for advanced obedience and agility. They are very affectionate and enjoy the companionship of another dog or a cat.

The breed is very distrustful of strangers so makes good watch dogs. Shelties will bark incessantly to warn of danger and will bark happily when they sense a member of the ‘family’ is on his way home – long before the car can be heard by human ears! They are tireless herders and will herd other pets and children as they need activities for their busy minds as well as for their active bodies.

Shetland Sheepdogs love people and must be raised in a home with a family. They thrive on companionship and duties.

They have a tendency to chase things that move, including cars, and that may cause problems if your yard is not fenced. Never walk them or let them outside of a fence without a leash.

Better suited to an indoor or outdoor lifestyle?

They have a fairly high energy level all their lives, but a fenced yard and walks or play times are sufficient. They can live in an apartment if sufficiently exercised and stimulated.
Shetland Sheepdogs are heat sensitive so enjoy being outdoors in cooler weather and inside in the air conditioning in hot or humid weather.

Are they suited to homes with kids?

Most Shelties make great companions and family dogs and get along well with children. Some tend to be very high-strung and nervous, so if you find one that is, it will be unreliable around young children.

They are tireless herders and will herd other pets and children as they need activities for their busy minds as well as for their active bodies.

Thorough socialization with all types and ages of people and various animals when they are young will keep them from becoming shy and scared.

Activity Level

How Active is the Breed?

They have a fairly high energy level all their lives, but a fenced yard and walks or play times are sufficient. They can live in an apartment if sufficiently exercised and stimulated. They love to play with toys and interact with their owners indoors and outdoors.

How Much Exercise Does the Dog Need at every stage of its Life?

They love long walks, obedience training, agility training, flyball or just playing ball or Frisbee® in a fenced backyard each day well into old age. Hip and leg problems such as arthritis slow them down later in life.

Grooming

They have a heavy double coat which they shed twice a year and which needs to be brushed weekly. In spring and fall the entire coat is shed, so needs daily brushing at those times.

Health and Care

Genetic Problems

Eye diseases, hypothyroidism, displacement of the kneecap (patella) are possible problems of the Shetland Sheepdog. Hip and leg problems like arthritis and dysplasia are often seen.

Breeding the Dog and any Cautions

Be especially careful not to breed to a close relative.

Litter Size: Average litter size is 4-8.

Life Span: The live 12-14 years.

National Breed Clubs

British – English Shetland Sheepdog Club – www.essc.org.uk
US – American Shetland Sheepdog Association – www.assa.org

Other Recognition: CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR, APRI, ACR

Rescue Link: www.gdca.org/rescue.htm