Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
The Shetland Sheepdog or miniature Sheltie dog is a smart herder from Scotland. This breed comes from the Shetland Islands, hence the breed’s name.
They are by many described as beautiful, although they are physically most alike to famous Collie, their distant cousins.
The Shetland Sheepdog is a small dog, packed with high energy. These high-energy dogs aren’t for those who aren’t used to spending hours outside being active.
Even indoors, this breed will demand playtime, activity, and fun hours.
Be sure that you can meet this breed’s needs. They have a long coat, which means that weekly brushing is a must.
They are in a way rough-coated Collie but in a smaller version. They are easy to train and they thrive on positive training methods.
Early socialization is the key to having a well-behaved Shetland Sheepdog.
Quick Facts
Real name: Shetland Sheepdog
Other names: Shetland Collie (out of date), Dwarf Scotch Shepherd (out of date)
Common Nicknames: Sheltie
Origin: Scotland
Breed type: Herding Dogs
Weight: Starts at 20 pounds
Height: 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Litter Size: 4 – 6 puppies
Color: Many colors, including sable, tri-colored, sable merle, black and tan
Coat: Long and double coat
Shetland Sheepdog History
Sheltie dog is a miniature dog that resembles Collie.
If you are a Collie lover already and you know the breed’s characteristics it’s fair enough to say that this is indeed a tiny Collie.
This tiny Collie wasn’t a breeder’s creation, but a naturally produced dog.
Dog experts believe that the Spitz-type dog was the original sheepdog of Scotland (in appearance similar to a breed that today we know as Icelandic Sheepdog).
They also believe that this dog was crossed with mainland working collies who were brought to the islands and later on to England.
This original Spitz-type dog is today extinct. This breed was replaced with today’s Border Collie.
Originally, Shetland Sheepdogs were used for herding. At least they were used for tasks that didn’t require large dog breeds.
The Sheltie dog which we know mostly as Sheltie today was first named the Shetland Collie, but its name changed to Shetland Sheepdog.
The beginning of the 20th century marked the mixing of this breed with Rough Collies to save that Rough Collie type appearance.
The English Kennel Club recognized the Shetland Sheepdog as a separate breed in 1909.
In 1911, the AKC registered the first Shetland Sheepdog, named ‘Lord Scott.’
What Two Breeds Make A Shetland Sheepdog?
Back in the 1700s, at the time popular Spitz dogs were crossbred with working dogs, such as:
- (Extinct) Greenland Yakki
- Rough Collie
- Border Collie
Spitz dogs were also mixed with small dog breeds such as King Charles Spaniel and Pomeranian.
Considering this information, dog experts claim that this sheepdog is in fact a mix between Scottish Collie and King Charles Spaniel.
Shetland Sheepdog Physical Appearance
Shetland Sheepdogs are best described as a small version of the Rough Collie.
They may be small in size, but they are well-built and compact.
Shetland Sheepdogs were made to be active, to spend an entire day running and chasing – their body supports that.
Their head is wedge-shaped, and for the color, they come in many colors including black, blue merle, or sable.
Shetland Sheepdogs are commonly marked with white, tan, or both. As for the size, they stand 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder and have a weight that starts at 20 pounds.
As such they are compact and often seen strolling the busiest city streets. Their ears are of medium size, while the neck is muscular and strong.
The tail should be longer, while the coat should be double. The outer coat should be harsh on the touch and straight, while the undercoat should be short and denser.
The hair on the face should always be smooth, including the hair on the ears and feet. The breed’s gait should be light and effortless.
Shetland Sheepdog Personality
Shetland Sheepdogs are gentle and affectionate dogs.
They are great family dogs and a great choice for first time dog owners to their soft nature.
Just like bigger Collies, miniature Shelties are intelligent and enjoy performing tasks or participating in dog sports.
They need only five repetitions to master a new command – making them officially highly intelligent dogs.
Repetition is what defines dogs as intelligent or highly intelligent. Fewer the repetitions, the smarter the dog.
If you’re searching for an active family dog, the Shetland Sheepdog is a breed to consider. They are great with children who know their way around dogs.
Children must know how to behave around dogs, and what is allowed and what isn’t.
For example, children should know not to pull a dog’s ears and tails, and never to disturb them while they are eating, sleeping, or resting in their crate.
This is a loyal breed. They will commonly attach to one person or one family. Keeping this breed alone for long periods isn’t an option.
This small dog will demand that you take him everywhere with you.
Otherwise, you may experience having a dog with separation anxiety or strong destructive behavior.
All in all, miniature Shelties are emotional dogs who need gentle but firm hands.
Do Shetland Sheepdogs Bark A Lot?
Shetland Sheepdogs tend to be very vocal.
In other words, they will bark. This is something that should be addressed during the initial training phase, especially if you are apartment-based.
Shetland Sheepdogs will bark when happy, excited, scared, or when they just see someone approaching.
After all, they are watchdogs and watchdogs tend to bark – that is how they assist humans primarily.
Shetland Sheepdog Temperament In A Nutshell
Shetland Sheepdogs are responsive dogs who enjoy a nice game and quality time with the human family.
This breed will demand mental exercise, so make sure that you implement tug of war and different indoor games for rainy days.
Shetland Sheepdogs are sensitive and prefer a calm environment without loud noises, sharp sounds, or any sort of rough handling.
They can also be easily overwhelmed by children who don’t know how to behave around dogs.
In terms of personality, you can expect your Shetland Sheepdog to be:
- Highly obedient
- Great companion
- Physically active
- Sensitive
- Attentive
- Affectionate
- Great with children
- Friendly toward strangers
- Highly playful
Are Shetland Sheepdogs Good With Children?
As mentioned earlier children should know how to behave around dogs and which moves are off-limits.
For example, children should never disturb dogs while they are:
- Eating
- Resting in their crate
- Drinking
- Sleeping
- Having anything in their mouth, or making sudden moves around dogs, especially when they are in their spot (guarding something)
These are general guidelines that should be established and implemented between children and dogs.
Always educate children on how to behave around dogs.
As for children and Shetland Sheepdogs, you should not have any worries as long as children know these rules and your Shelite is well-trained and properly socialized.
With unfamiliar children, Shelties will keep a distance for a while. They may behave identically around dogs.
Are Shetland Sheepdogs good with cats? Usually, they will get along with cats, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t try to herd them.
In most cases, cats will overpower Shetland Sheepdogs and show them how much they do not like being disturbed.
Shetland Sheepdog Training
Training should start as soon as you bring your Shetland Sheepdog home.
Did you know that dogs are capable of mastering basic commands as of eight weeks of age?
Before your Fido arrives, prepare the right toys, learn indoor games, and arm yourself with a lot of patience. These dogs are highly trainable and as such they are eager to please.
Use the socialization window to teach your dog the following:
- Basic commands
- How to behave around people
- How to walk on a leash
- To ‘come‘ when called
- To keep himself busy with interactive toys
To have effective training sessions, you should keep them short, fun, interactive, consistent, and packed with treats.
This is a herding breed, which means that he will love to chase anything that moves, including cars. This is why walks on leas are a must.
Let your Shetland roam freely only in well-secured areas, such as dog parks.
Shetland Sheepdog Exercise
To keep your dog healthy and happy, you need to provide enough exercise.
This is how your dog will get enough physical exercise, keep strong joints, and keep his mind busy.
Dogs learn and explore by moving and indulging in different smells.
Extra tricks can only lead to much-needed mental exercise. So… How much exercise per day you should provide for your Shetland?
Next to regular walks, enable up to one hour of exercise a day.
Be careful with puppies, they are still developing, so extra exercise can put pressure on their body that they aren’t ready for.
Always ask your veterinarian how much exercise to provide and at what age.
If you love dog competitions, think about enrolling your Shetland Sheepdog in dog agility – this is a great way to keep his mind sharp and his joints strong.
Plus, Shetland Sheepdogs are among the best agility dogs of today: as such, they are much appreciated for their intelligence, fast movement, and speed.
If you have experience training dogs for competitions, you will enjoy training this breed.
Now, let’s see where Shetland Sheepdogs stand when it comes to grooming.
Shetland Sheepdog Grooming
The Sheltie comes with a double coat that needs to be brushed regularly. To keep that neat look elegant and clean you will have to use the right grooming tools.
Brush your Shetland once to twice a week and always search for any signs of fleas or skin infections.
Brushing time is also a great way to make the bond with your canine stronger.
The rest is basic care:
- Trim or grind nails monthly
- Bathe only when needed. When bathing make sure that you only use a shampoo that is specially designed for dogs
- Check eyes weekly
- Check gums weekly
- Learn how to clean dog’s ears and when needed
Next to regular grooming practice, you should care further. That being said, you should provide regular parasite control, stick to a vaccination schedule, and provide high-quality nutrition.
Pro tip: For smooth brushing sessions, use a gentle pin brush for a dense undercoat, and a slicker brush for sensitive and hard-to-reach-places such as behind the ears.
Do Shetland Sheepdogs Shed A Lot?
Shetland Sheepdogs are easy to groom, but they do shed quite a bit. This is something to consider when getting a dog.
Regular brushing and grooming are what will keep your dog not only looking neat but feeling great.
Are Shelties high maintenance? Yes, Shelties are high maintenance breed.
It is important to note that they are not notorious shedders such as German Shepherds are, but they still do shed.
To keep their shedding at its minimum provide weekly regular brushing. If shedding is a deal breaker for you, you might focus on the least shedding dog breeds.
Which breed of dogs shed the least? Some of the famous low-shedding breeds are Komondor, Bichon Frise, and Poodles.
Stick to regular brushing, especially during the shedding season and you and your home should be fine.
How often should you bathe a Sheltie? Dogs do not need frequent bathing as humans do. Therefore, bathe your Sheltie only when it’s needed, or once in two to three months, or up to two months when he is shedding.
Should you cut a Shelties hair? This is not common. Shelties do not need haircutting, as they are fine with a very little trimming.
Shetland Sheepdog Nutrition
The Shetland Sheepdog should have regular meals of high-quality food if possible.
Just like any other breed, the Shetland Sheepdog will try to have a bite of anything, which is why you should know which human foods are safe for dogs, and which should be avoided no matter what.
If you are thinking about switching to a raw food diet, which is also known as home-prepared food, talk with your veterinarian first.
In fact, you should talk with your veterinarian about anything food-related.
Learn how much your Shetland Sheepdog should eat, how many times per day, and why you should never serve a dog a meal after an intense workout.
Some dogs are prone to obesity, which is why you should stick to recommended food amount.
Obesity in dogs is on the rise and you don’t want your Shetland to be part of this unhealthy trend.
If you have any concerns regarding your dog’s diet always talk to your veterinarian first.
Shetland Sheepdog Health
Shetland Sheepdogs are considered to be healthy dogs.
If you are buying a puppy, you should deal with responsible dog breeders only.
This means that you should find a reputable breeder who will show you medical documentation on puppies and inform you of any possible future health-related issues.
Some of the conditions that you may see in this breed include epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and eye diseases.
This doesn’t mean that your Shetland will experience any of these disturbances, it just means that you should provide regular veterinarian check-ups.
Prevention is the best way to keep your dog healthy in the long run. Plus, this is usually the best practice money-wise.
Prevention is far cheaper than dealing with treating certain conditions.
Shetland Sheepdog Puppies For Sale – Good To Know
When it comes to getting a Shetland Sheepdog puppy or puppies you want to deal with responsible dog breeders only.
Avoid any suspicious market places and do not deal with puppy mills.
Puppy mills are usually places on non-ethical breeding and although their prices may be lower, it will usually cost you the most in the long run.
When choosing Shetland Sheepdog puppies go to trusted market places and do your best to find a puppy whose energy will match yours.
Talk with breeders, do additional research, and check online reviews. Even better, if your friend or family members already have a Shetland Sheepdog ask them for their breeder.
Last but not least, if the price of Shetland Sheepdog puppies seems too good to be true it usually is.
How much is a Shetland Sheepdog puppy? Expect to invest between $500-$1,500 for a Shetland Sheepdog from a trusted breeder.
Is Shetland Sheepdog For You?
The Shetland Sheepdog isn’t for you if you don’t want to deal with separation anxiety and intense barking.
The Shetland Sheepdog needs regular brushing and extra care and love – if this sounds too much, this breed isn’t for you.
However, if you want an attentive dog, that loves to learn tricks, and is peaceful with strangers and other animals, this small Collie may be right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions On Shetland Sheepdog
1. Do Shetland Sheepdogs Bark A Lot?
Shelties prefer to be reserved toward strangers. They are far from being aggressive, but they will make sure to show strangers who run the place.
As a protective breed, Shelties are great watchdogs, who will bark a lot. This is something that you should address through training, especially if you are apartment-based.
2. Do Shetland Sheepdogs Shed A Lot?
Shetland Sheepdog is a high-shedding breed.
These dogs will shed a lot throughout the year, and more intensely during the shedding season.
Shedding season happens in spring and autumn, and it can be handy to have a vacuum cleaner on hand, to help you get through this season.
These mini Shelties are not heavy shedders such as German Shepherds are, but they will shed a lot, regardless of their size.
3. Was Lassie A Collie Or Sheltie?
Lassie is one of the most famous dogs globally. Although Lassie is a Collie breed, many still call this breed Lassie – the phenomenon of this dog is just that big.
Lassie is just a name, like Fido, while Lassie’s breed is Collie (this is a rough-coated Collie), one of the most active dogs breeds alive, with high maintenance needs.
Collie vs Sheltie, which breed is better? There is no straight answer, as the right breed is an individual decision.
Before you get a dog, and you are exploring Collie vs Sheltie use compare dog breed tool to see which breed suits your lifestyle the best.
4. Are Shelties Loud?
Yes, Shelties are labeled as a loud breed. These fluff dogs can quite of barkers. Even when they are well-trained and properly socialized they will still bark.
5. Do Shelties Pick One Person?
Shelties are people-oriented dogs for sure. They will be extremely loyal to one family or one person.
You can Shelties to follow family members all the time.
Since they are sensitive dogs they need companionship 24/7 as they hate being left alone.
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