The Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdogs, like the Shetland Ponies and the Shetland Cattle, have been a part of the history of the Shetland Islands for as long as anyone can remember. They are in most respects a miniaturized version of the Collie, possessing extraordinary beauty and unique character. The “Sheltie” is a dog with a herding history of many years, their job was of course to herd the sheep and goats and work closely with the farmers. When they were brought to England’s mainland before World War I, the little dog rose to overnight popularity . By 1909 the British Kennel Club had accepted them into their registry.

Like it’s larger cousin, the Collie, the Shelty has a long double weather resistant coat. It can be any color. The little dog needs to be taught early to stand or lie quietly for brushing, as coat care will be needed all of its life to keep the coat in good condition and free of mats. Probably this is the biggest mistake a new owner of a Shelty can make, for not taking care of the coat and brushing regularly can quickly cause such a tangle that the little dog will have to be shaved. The Shetland Sheepdog in the United States requires a height of 13-16 inches and in the British Isles a height of 14 inches. The standard in both countries is quite particular as to the head, for it is a focal point of this breed, the expressive eyes, the set of the ear, and the shape of the skull add a great deal to the beauty of the dog. Furthermore this is a herding breed and it is important that the dog is built so that it can move quickly and make agile turns. When judging the Shelty a good deal of attention should be paid to the dog having a balanced structure and good movement.

The Shelty possesses a high degree of intelligence and trainability. This is a dog with a natural tendency to want to please, as a natural herder, it has built into it such things as watching the master, response to hand signals and voice commands, endurance, speed, and a desire to take care of the animals in its charge. These abilities have led to high scores in the Obedience ring, and it is also a favorite breed for agility, herding and sheepdog trials, tracking, and as a popular and most adaptable family pet. Shetland sheepdogs seldom show aggression to humans or to other dogs. Since they are a herding breed they natural desire is to want to give chase to a moving object, and this can be a big problem especially with passing cars. It is always necessary to have a Shelty on a leash or in an enclosed fenced yard. They are fantastic with children, often treating them as their “flock” and keeping them from harm .

The Shetland Sheepdog is a relatively healthy breed, although in recent years over breeding without paying attention to inherited genetic problems has led to more difficulties with the eyes, and CERF testing should be done before the dog is used for breeding. They are a long lived breed and it is not unusual for a Shelty to become as old as sixteen years.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dogs