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The Shetland Sheepdog
(Sheltie) is a loyal companion, a good watchdog and
a very intelligent working animal as well. These
traits have made the Sheltie one of the more popular
dogs in recent years. In addition, this breed is
blessed with beautiful colors and a wonderful coat
that makes it resemble a Collie. However, the
Sheltie is indeed a completely separate breed.
1. What is the history and background of the
Shetland Sheepdog?
The breed gets its name from the Shetland Islands
off the coast of Scotland. The Sheltie descended
from the Scottish rough Collie and the Yakkin from
Iceland. The Sheltie has been a herding dog and
guard dog for cattle and sheep for more than 400
years. The breed was introduced in the U.S. around
1911.
2. What special uses does the Sheltie have today?
In addition to being a great pet and companion for
both adults and children, the Shetland Sheepdog is
excellent at tracking, herding, and agility
competition. Shelties are of medium size and very
energetic. Their great intelligence makes them ideal
for training if the owner and trainer are patient
and consistent. However, most experts emphasize that
only about 50% of the dogs born to this breed today
have the strong natural herding instincts of the
ancestors.
3. Is it true there
are miniature Shelties?
No, to all clubs and organizations dealing with
Shetland Sheepdogs, a Sheltie is a Sheltie,
regardless of size. In fact, smaller and larger dogs
can be born to the same litter. Top breeders attempt
to use only those parents that are of the simply
average size and avoid using dogs that are extremely
small or large.
4. How big does the Sheltie get?
The size of an adult Shetland Sheepdog can range
from 13 inches to 16 inches at the withers. Weight
can range from 15 pounds up to 27 pounds and more.
The ideal size is from 15 pounds to 20 pounds.
5. Does the Sheltie have a good temperament?
Most Shelties that come from a good breeder have
been socialized in early life so that they are
excellent family pets and great companions. This
breed is generally easy to train and is willing to
learn both tricks and basic obedience. Shetland
Sheepdogs born in recent years have shown a greater
range of personality and temperament, but some of
this is due to the number of puppies bred by
inexperienced people in “puppy mills.” With the
right breeder and the right training, a Sheltie
should be loyal, friendly and energetic, but not
overly aggressive or shy.
6. What are grooming requirements for the
Sheltie?
Shetland Sheepdogs do not need a great amount of
grooming, though the long coat will need to be
brushed regularly. Some shedding will occur twice a
hear, especially as the undercoat changes. During
shedding, it may be necessary to brush the coat
daily. This breed can suffer from some skin ailments
so bathing should be done only when necessary.
7. What colors should I look for in the Sheltie?
There are three recognized patterns for the Shetland
Sheepdog: sable, which can range from tan or gold to
brown; tri-color, which includes white, brown and
black; and blue merle, which is a coat that has
dappling of gray and black. Experts say it is very
important not to breed Shelties indiscriminately to
produce certain unusual colors because the dogs
frequently suffer from serious health problems.
8. What type of exercise is good for the Sheltie?
Since this is a smaller, athletic working dog,
regular exercise is necessary. Long walks, playing
with a ball or Frisbee, and agility competitions are
excellent for this breed. However, new owners should
be careful to work with a breeder that has knowledge
of the traits of his dogs. This can help avoid
problems with a Sheltie that does not have natural
herding instincts or is happier with a quiet, less
active lifestyle.
9. What should I feed my Shetland Sheepdog?
Many owners of purebred dogs are now feeding only
fresh foods, such as meats, vegetables and some
fruits. Others choose to feed only the best
commercial foods, those with the proper amounts of
protein, fat and other nutrients. It may be best to
avoid lower cost commercial foods that have high
grain content. Some dogs, including Shelties, have
allergies to the grain and have sensitive stomachs
that will tolerate only certain types of food.
10. Shelties can be a problem because they bark a
lot. What can I do?
This can vary with each dog, but Shetland Sheepdogs
are known to bark with a loud or penetrating sound.
This may have developed because of their natural
habitat close to the sounds of the ocean and the
high winds on the open ground where they lived. The
dog also had to be heard over the noise of the sheep
and cattle they herded. A reputable trainer can help
you reduce the amount of barking and direct it to be
used only in guarding or watchdog situations.
Shelties are eager to learn, though somewhat
sensitive. Patience is the key in changing Sheltie
behavior.
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