The Shetland Sheepdog (or Sheltie) is a breed of dog, originally bred to be small sheep dogs ideally suited for the terrain of the Shetland Islands. They resemble a rough Collie in miniature and have been crossed from time to time with the rough Collie.
History: The Sheltie came from the Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland. Unlike many miniature breeds that resemble their larger counterparts, this breed was not developed by selectively breeding the Rough Collie for smaller and smaller sizes. Rather, it is the result of the intermingling of Border Collies and possibly several other herding breeds over the past several centuries. By 1700, the breed was completely developed. For centuries these little dogs were used to herd and guard the sheep flocks of the Shetlands, those rugged islands off the Scottish coast where many of the animals are rather small in stature. The year 1909 marked the initial recognition of the Sheltie by the English Kennel Club and the first Sheltie to be registered by the American Kennel Club was “Lord Scott” in 1911.
Appearance: The Shetland Sheepdog is a small, alert, rough-coated, longhaired working dog. He must be sound, agile and sturdy. The outline should be so symmetrical that no part appears out of proportion to the whole. The top plane of the muzzle should be parallel to that of the skull. The head should be refined and its shape, when viewed from top or side, should be a long, blunt wedge tapering slightly from ears to nose. The ears are small and set close together. The tips should fold forward. Ears are never altered. The eyes are of medium size with dark, almond-shaped rims, set somewhat obliquely in skull. The Shetland Sheepdog, better known as the Sheltie has a long double coat, sporting a frill around the neck area. 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.
Size: Height: dogs - 13-15 inches (33-38cm); bitches 12-14 inches (30-36cm)
Weight: dogs - 14-18 pounds (6-8kg); bitches 12-16 pounds (5-7kg)
Temperament: The Shetland Sheepdog is an outstanding companion dog with a delightful temperament. Gentle, sensitive, loyal and dainty. Very lively, intelligent and trainable. It will get along well with other dogs as well as cats and other small animals. It aims to please and is devoted to its family. It is wary of strangers and may bark a lot, which makes it a great watchdog. It is not, however, a guard dog. Great for herding, this dog is still commonly used for herding purposes in a country environment and does exceptionally well.
Health: Watch for hip dysplasia, eye problems, epilepsy, dermatomyositis, hypothyroidism, Von Willebrand’s disease.
Life expectancy: 12 – 14 years
Grooming: Regular brushing is necessary to keep the coat smooth and free of tangles. The long coat of the Sheltie does tend to trap dirt so supervision is necessary unless regular bathing is not a problem. Heavily shedding during certain seasons, the hair can become a mess so grooming is particularly important during this stage.
Puppy price: $400.00 - $900.00