One of the key things that new
owners should remember about caring for a Shetland
Sheepdog (Sheltie) is that this dog may gain excess
weight from overeating if given too much food. Some
experts warn that commercial foods may have
instructions on the package that recommend larger
amounts for meals than are actually healthy for some
dogs.
In feeding the Sheltie, it may be best to serve
fresh foods, similar to those the owner buys for the
family. Consulting with a veterinarian or continuing
the diet started by the breeder are recommended as
good places to begin. Some dog breeds also have
allergies to the grain content of lower-priced
commercial foods as well.
The Shetland Sheepdog will
generally remain a healthy dog with the proper diet
and exercise. But this breed does have some unique
health conditions that should be understood. The
Sheltie may develop problems and diseases of the
eye. In fact, Sheltie Eye Syndrome can affect the
breed. This condition, similar to Collie Eye
Anomaly, is inherited and usually affects both eyes.
The disease can affect all layers of the eyeball,
with mild cases causing blind spots and severe cases
leading to blindness. A test called fundoscopy may
be able to detect this condition as early as six
weeks of age. New owners should ask about this
condition when talking with the breeder and with
their veterinarian.
The Sheltie may develop a condition known as
dermatomyositis, a connecting tissue disease with
inflammation of the skin and muscles. This condition
may become evident as thinning patches on the head
or other places on the dog’s body. The cause is not
generally known, but may be a viral infection or a
reaction in the autoimmune system. Though it is
inherited, dermatomyositis in the Sheltie skips a
generation. Breeders can keep track of this
condition through clear bloodline records, so it is
highly recommended that prospective owners visit
with three or more top breeders when selecting a
puppy.
The Shetland Sheepdog may also be prone to
dislocated kneecap or luxating patella. This occurs
when natural ridges in the bone of the kneecap are
not prominent enough to keep the kneecap from
jumping out of the grooves that are meant to hold it
in place. The kneecap will sometimes move back into
place after a few minutes but is likely to move out
again with exercise. Surgery is often the only
method that will stop this from occurring again.
Consulting with a veterinarian is recommended for
this and any other possible health conditions for
the Shetland Sheepdog.
Other conditions that may occur in the Sheltie are
von Willebrand’s Disease (and some other bleeding
disorders), Lupus, hip dysplasia and skin diseases.
With all of these conditions it is highly
recommended that you work only with a reputable
breeder who acknowledges the possibility of Shetland
Sheepdog health problems. These top breeders will
work to eliminate the problems through selective
breeder and will be open to discussion as you shop
for your puppy.
One of the things that new owners should keep in
mind with the Sheltie is that size varies, even
within the same litter. A dog’s height is not
necessarily an indication that the dog is healthy or
unhealthy. As most experts will state, a Sheltie is
a Sheltie, regardless of size. One of the key ways
to ensure that the new pet will be a Sheltie of
something close to an average size is to work with a
breeder who has kept good records and used only
healthy parents that were not extremely small or
extremely large. With proper nutrition and care, the
Sheltie should provide a family with 12 to 15 years
of love and enjoyment.
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