Shetland Sheepdog, better known as Shelties, are smaller sized breeding dogs from the Shetland Islands of Scotland.
They are small, loyal and active with looks resembling similarity to Rough Collies.
Adapted to living in harsh conditions, this herding dog breed was originally called Shetland Collie due to their matching appearance with Collie breed.
Due to the scarcity of food in their original place, they are diminutive in size than their mainland cousin breeds.
They are very attached to their owners, often following them around the house and can get separation anxiety when left alone. They are made by crossbreeding many different breeds like Border Collies, King Charles Spaniel, and Pomeranian, etc. They weren’t discovered until the 20th century to the isolation of their origin place.
Some say that due to breeding them for different qualities the UK breed dogs are a little different the American ones. Shetland Sheepdog puppies have floppy ears, big eyes, and soft fur that makes adorable along with a curious nature.
They are born in a litter of 4-6 at a time and should only be adopted when they are 8 weeks old.
During their growing up years, they experience growth in both height and weight and are fully grown by 10-16 months. They should be house trained from a young age along with obedience and socialization classes to make them well-rounded.
Adults are small in appearance with a thick rough-haired coat with a short and sturdy body. They have a smooth appearance smooth face features like a long muzzle and wide apart eyes.
They are agile and energetic with a strong build that makes them look like alert watchdogs. They are very loyal to their owners and intelligent like many herding breeds as they are quick to understand and learn commands.
<>Shetland Sheepdog Pictures
<>Quick Facts
Avg. Weight: 15-25 pounds
Avg. Height: 13-15 inches
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Dog Group: Herding Dogs
Colors: Sable, Mahogany Sable, Shaded Sable, Tri-Colored, Bi-Black, Bi-Blue, Blue Merle, Bi Blue Merle, Sable Merle, Color Headed White, Double Merle
Other Names: Sheltie
<>At A Glance
- Size (1/5)
They measure 13 to 16 inches in their full-grown state.
They are small with a proportional body without anybody part appearing big.
- Affection Level (5/5)
The dogs of this breed are known to be affectionate to all.
Mostly they are attached to their owners and to other family pets.
They are very devoted and loving in nature which adds to their charm.
- Apartment Friendly (2/5)
They aren’t recommended for apartment living due to their need for physical space and playing area.
They tend to bark a lot at anything uncommon due to herding instincts.
Also, they need exercise space to complete their daily physical exertions which are restricted while living in apartments.
They need to be trained to adjust living there with everyday outside activities being necessary.
- Cold Weather Tolerability (4/5)
They have a double coat of rough straight hair that protects it from harsh cold weather.
The outer long hair coat blocks the cold air and repels the moisture from the air.
The inner soft layer of hair keeps the warmth close to the body by acting as an insulating layer.
Their place of origin is known for its hard and frigid weather thus they have adapted to live in it.
- Hot Weather Tolerability (3/5)
For summer Shetland Sheepdogs shed their undercoat thereby helping them cool their bodies.
Trimming their outer coat and brushing them regularly to remove hair thus increasing the circulation of air helps them a lot.
They can overheat so make sure they have cool water and shade when going out.
Also, avoid walking them on heat-retaining surfaces as they can burn their feet.
- Barking Tendencies (2/5)
They can bark sometimes to alert the owners of a threat or strangers.
Due to their herding background, they have the in-built instinct to be suspicious of any unknown thing.
Most of the dogs can be trained to lower the frequency of their barking.
Most of their barking is of watchdog nature and early socialization and exposure to outside can help to reduce it.
- Cat-Friendly (4/5)
They are among the dog breeds that get along with cats and are very good playmates.
If they are raised together from a young age they learn how to behave with them.
Shelties learn fast and a playful, curious cat is a great stay at home companion for them.
They get well especially if the cat shows the authority on being herd by them.
- Dog-Friendly (4/5)
They have a preference for their own breed as playmates over other breeds.
They need to socialize at an early age and exposed to other dogs to develop their social nature.
They are friendly and spending time with other dogs if they have been socialized by their owners.
- Exercise Needs (4/5)
They need a moderate amount of exercise daily to stay fit.
Owners should make sure they get at least 45 minutes of exercise every day.
Due to their working background, they need regular physical and mental stimulation.
- Grooming Needs (3/5)
They are heavy shedders with them requiring brushing twice a week.
Their double coat needs a lot of care to maintain it by removing dead hair and dirt.
Proper care of their coat will prevent fleas and skin infections from happening.
Nails should be trimmed and dental hygiene should also be maintained for a clean and healthy dog.
- Playfulness (4/5)
They are always up for an outside game due to their inexhaustible energy.
They aren’t very active indoors so the owners have to take them outside for walks or games.
They are good in agility sports like flyball which acts as both mental as well as physical exercise for them.
- Trainability (5/5)
One quality of Sheltie known everywhere is their obedience in obeying their master’s commands.
They are very easy to train and learn new commands and actions quite quickly.
Due to their ease of trainability long with intelligence, they also serve as medical support and therapy dogs.
They are also popular in dog competitions and have proven to be quite successful there.
- Intelligence (5/5)
According to a leading study on dogs, they are the sixth most intelligent breed.
They can easily grasp new things after being repeated a few numbers of times.
Their intelligence is also one factor in their ease of trainability and high obedience level.
They have a curious and exploring nature that should be encouraged to help them socialize.
- Mouthiness (1/5)
They only chew or bite stuff when they are going through the teething phase during the growing phase.
Otherwise, they are gentle when they grow up but sometimes they can nib while herding.
- Price Group
They cost on an average between $800 and $1000 if they are purebred.
Many people opt for Sheltie rescue and adoption centers as they cost less than buying from a breeder.
For show dogs, the color of their coat is also important hence favorable qualities result in higher costs.
About Shetland Sheepdogs
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