The Shetland Sheepdog Dog Breed is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. He is among the top 20 breeds registered by the American Kennel Club. And it’s easy to see why! After all, the Shetland Sheepdog is a good-looking breed. Small in size, but not too small. Friendly, funny, and intelligent. Loyal and affectionate. A perfect family pet.
Yes…
He tends to bark quite a bit, but that shouldn’t be an issue unless you have some overly sensitive neighbors! But this isn’t an isolated issue for Shetlands because, in many ways, to the Catahoula Leopard Dog, the state dog of Louisiana, maybe not so much in looks, but certainly in the form of attitude and friendliness. He is also compared to the Border Collie, with whom he shares many characteristics.
Now if you’re…
Thinking about purchasing a Shetland Sheepdog puppy or, better yet, adopting a Shetland Sheepdog rescue, you’ll need to understand that at your core is an athlete. This breed loves dog sports – he excels at agility, obedience, flyball, and other activities. He loves chasing around and fetching tennis balls. He can do that for hours and hours without getting tired or bored.
It should be noted, though…
This family dog is better suited to the suburbs, as he likes to have plenty of space to move around. He is an active and energetic dog and loves running all over the place, in a park, lawn, or backyard. City life doesn’t suit him too well. His barking could become a real nuisance in a small apartment or condo. He likes accompanying his owners while walking, hiking, running, or cycling.
And remember…
If you are looking for Shetland Puppies for Sale, always buy your puppy from reputable dog breeders, people you trust. Never get puppies from puppy mills or pet stores.
You can read the rest of this article to learn more about the Shetland Sheepdog.
Shetland Sheepdog Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Scotland or Shetland Islands
Original Purpose: Sheepherder
Height: 13 to 16 inches
Weight: less than 30 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Herding group
Life Span: 12 to 14 years
Origin of the Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog is from the Shetland Islands – a tiny archipelago of Scotland to the northeast of the UK. This is one of the most sparsely populated regions in the world. The folks here are known to be rugged and independent, just like the Shetland Sheepdog.
The Sheltie…
As this dog breed is called here, it was developed hundreds of years ago from different Nordic species such as the Pomeranian, the Border Collie, and Kings Charles Spaniel. Back then, the Sheltie was a favorite of the islanders. They formed the Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club in 1909. Scottish immigrants brought The breed to the United States in the early 20th century.
The American Kennel Club recognized the Shetland in 1911. In 1929, admirers of this breed formed the American Shetland Sheepdog Association.
Physical Characteristics
The Shetland Sheepdog is an impressive-looking dog. He is about 13 to 16 inches tall and looks like a smaller or miniature version of the Border Collie. The Sheltie weighs no more than 16 pounds – he is a small dog, but not too small.
Appearance
The Sheltie is easy to identify with his lovely coat, longish, wedge-shaped head, and active and agile movements. He has a narrow, well-rounded muzzle, black nose, and sharp teeth. He has dark, almond-shaped eyes, small, erect ears, and a long tail. He has a remarkably muscular physique, given his small size.
Coat
The best part about the Sheltie’s appearance is his thick double coat, almost resembling a lion’s mane. His jacket may come in sable, blue merle, and black with white and tan markings.
Now one thing…
You may notice that some Shelties may have purple or merle patches on their coat because of a genetic condition. Whether your Sheltie puppy will have patches or not depends on its Oligo Dt length. You can ask a vet to remove these patches if they appear too unseemly surgically.
Grooming
The Sheltie’s coat must be properly brushed at least once every week. Use a stiff pin brush to remove the loose hair, remove the tangles and prevent matting. The Sheltie’s coat is water-resistant and even dirt resistant. You only need to give him a proper bath once in a while. The Sheltie is a good-looking dog but not a high-maintenance pet.
Personality and Temperament
The Sheltie is a gentle, caring dog, friendly with everyone, and blessed with great patience. He is not the sort of dog that jumps on people. He is good with kids and makes for a perfect playmate for them.
He is a bit of a show-off, though…
A real attention seeker, this little guy. His constant barking is a way to get people to notice him. He hates nothing more than to be ignored by his human family. He is also a sheepdog, meaning he has a strong herding instinct. He is very protective of the kids in the family and considers them part of his flock. He is always alert when the kids play outside and watches out for them.
Potential Health Problems
Shetland Sheepdogs are generally healthy and have a decent life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. But like all breeds, they’re prone to specific health problems. That doesn’t mean all Shelties are vulnerable to such health concerns, but you should certainly be aware of them.
In particular, the Sheltie is vulnerable to a disease called Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis. This health concern mainly affects young adult dogs of different breeds. Symptoms may include shortness of breath and fatigue during exercise, fluid build-up, undue pain, and blood clotting. If you notice these symptoms with your dog, take him to a vet, who will conduct a blood test and other diagnostic testing.
The Sheltie may also suffer from other health concerns such as…
- Hypothyroidism,
- Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA),
- Von Willebrand’s Disease,
- Canine Hip Dysplasia,
- Dermatomyositis,
- Fanconi Syndrome.
And while…
Many of these conditions may not be life-threatening, but they can become quite expensive, particularly if they become recurring issues.
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
