The Shetland
Sheepdog,
often known
as
the Sheltie,
is a breed
of herding
dog. They
are small to
medium dogs,
and come in
a variety of
colours,
such as
sable, tri-color,
and blue
merle. They
are vocal,
excitable,
energetic
dogs who are
always
willing to
please and
work hard.
They are
partly
derived from
dogs used in
the Shetland Isles
for herding
and
protecting
sheep. The
breed was
formally
recognized
by The
Kennel
Club in
1909.
The Shetland
Sheepdog's
early
history is
not well
known.
Although of
obscure
origin, the
sheltie is
probably a
descendant
of small
specimens of
the Scottish
Collie and
the King
Charles
Spaniel. It
was
developed to
tend the
diminutive
sheep of the
Shetland
Islands,
whose
rugged,
stormy
shores have
produced
other
small-statured
animals such
as the
Shetland
pony.
Today it is
raised as a
farm dog and
family
pet. They
were
originally a
small mixed-breed
dog, 330 mm
in height
and it is
thought that
the original
Shetland herding
dogs were
of Spitz type,
and were
crossed with
collie-type
sheepdogs
from
mainland
Britain. In
the early
20th
century,
James Loggie
added a
small Rough
Collie to
the breeding
stock, and
helped
establish
what would
become the
modern
Shetland
sheepdog. The
original
name of the
breed
was Shetland
Collie, but
this caused
controversy
among Rough
Collie breeders
at the time,
so the
breed's name
was formally
changed to
Shetland
Sheepdog.
Unlike many
miniature
breeds that
resemble
their larger
counterparts,
this breed
was not
developed
simply by
selectively
breeding the
Rough Collie
for smaller
and smaller
size. The
original
sheepdog
of Shetland was
a Spitz-type
dog,
probably
similar to
the
modern Icelandic
Sheepdog.
This dog was
crossed with
mainland
working
collies
brought to
the
islands, and
then after
being
brought to
England, it
was further
extensively
crossed with
the Rough
Collie, and
other breeds
including
some or all
of the
extinct Greenland
Yakki,
the King
Charles
Spaniel (not
the Cavalier),
the Pomeranian, and
possibly
the Border
Collie. The
original
Spitz-type
working
sheepdog of
Shetland is
now extinct,
having been
replaced
for herding there
by the
Border
Collie. The
Shetland
Sheepdog in
its modern
form has
never been
used as a
working dog
on Shetland,
and
ironically
it is
uncommon
there.
When the
breed was
originally
introduced
breeders
called them
Shetland
Collies,
which upset
Rough Collie
breeders, so
the name was
changed to
Shetland
Sheepdog. During
the early
20th century
(up until
the 1940s),
additional
crosses were
made to
Rough
Collies to
help retain
the desired
Rough Collie
type – in
fact, the
first AKC
Sheltie
champion's
dam was a
purebred
rough
Collie.
The year
1909, marked
the initial
recognition
of the
Sheltie by
the English
Kennel Club,
with the
first
registered
Sheltie
being a
female
called
Badenock
Rose. The
first
Sheltie to
be
registered
by
the American
Kennel
Club was
"Lord Scott"
in 1911.
The general
appearance
of the
Sheltie is
that of a
miniature Rough
Collie. They
are a small,
double
coated,
working dog,
agile and
sturdy. Blue
merle
Shelties may
have blue
eyes or one
brown and
one blue
eye, but all
others have
dark
coloured
eyes. Their
expression
should be
that of
alertness
with a
gentle and
sometimes
reserved
nature. They
are often
very good
with
children.
They carry
their tail
down low,
only lifted
when alert
and never
carried over
the back.
They are an
intensely
loyal breed,
sometimes
reserved
with
strangers
but should
not be too
shy.
Shelties
have a
double coat,
which means
that they
have two
layers of
fur that
make up
their coat.
The long,
rough guard
hairs lie on
top of a
thick, soft
undercoat.
The guard
hairs are
water-repellent,
while the
undercoat
provides
relief from
both high
and low
temperatures.
The English
Kennel Club
describes
three
different
colours:
tricolour,
blue merle,
and sable
(ranging
from golden
through
mahogany),
marked with
varying
amounts of
white and/or
tan. Essentially,
however, a
blue merle
dog is a
genetically
black dog,
either
black,
white, and
tan
(tricolour).
In the show
ring, blue
merles may
have blue
eyes; all
other
colours must
have brown
eyes.
Basic coat
colours
Sable –
Tricolour – Bi-black
See more here
"Modified"
coat colours
Any of the
above
colours may
also have a
colour
modification
gene. The
colour
modification
genes
are merling and white factoring.
Merling
dilutes the
base colour
(sable,
tricolour,
or bi-black)
causing a
black dog's
coat to show
a mix of
black,
white, and
gray hairs,
often with
black
patches.
Blue
merle—blue,
white, and
tan. A
tricolour
with the
merling
gene. May
have blue
eyes.
Bi-blue—blue
and white. A
bi-black
with the
merling
gene. May
have blue
eyes.
Sable
merle—faded
or mottled
sable and
white. Often
born with a
mottled coat
of darker
brown over
lighter
brown, they
usually
present as a
faded or
lighter
sable or can
appear as a
washed out
blue-merle.
Sable merles
are shown in
the breed
ring as
sables.
White
factoring
affects the
amount of
white on the
dog. It is
hard to
tell,
without
actually
breeding,
whether a
dog is
white-factored
or not,
though dogs
with white
going up the
stifle (the
front of the
hind leg)
are usually
assumed to
be
white-factored.
Breeding two
white-factored
dogs can
result
in colour-headed
whites—Shelties
with
coloured
heads
(sable,
tricolor,
bi-black, or
blue or
sable merle)
and white
bodies. For
show dogs,
dogs with
more than
50% white
are heavily
penalized
and thus are
not shown in
the breed
ring; they
are normal
in every
other way.
Double
merles, a
product of
breeding two
merle
Shelties
together,
have a very
high
incidence of
deafness
and/or
blindness.
There have
been reports
of
a brindle Sheltie, but
many Sheltie
enthusiasts
agree that a
cross
sometime in
the ancestry
of that
specific
Sheltie
could have
produced a
brindle.
Unacceptable
colours in
the show
ring are a
rustiness in
a blue or
black coat.
Colours may
not be
faded, no
conspicuous
white spots,
and the
colour
cannot be
over 50%
white.
Shelties
normally
weigh around
6–10
kilograms.
In general,
males are
taller and
heavier than
females.
KUSA specifies
a male’s
height as
37cm ± 2½ cm
at the
withers, and
a female’s
height as
35.5cm ± 2½
cm, however,
some
shelties can
be found
outside of
these ranges
but are not
considered
truly
representative
of the
breed.
To conform
to the breed
standards,
the
Shelties'
ears should
bend
slightly or
"tip", this
contributes
to the
"proper
Sheltie
expression.
The ear is
to have the
top third to
a quarter of
the ear
tipped.
Wide-set
(too much
distance
between)
ears are
also not a
desired
trait, nor
are ears
which tip
too low
down.
Shelties
have a
double coat,
and often
shed a lot
of the time,
no matter
the season.
The top
coat consists
of long,
straight,
water-repellent
hair, which
provides
protection
from cold
and the
elements.
The undercoat is
short,
furry, and
very dense
and helps to
keep the dog
warm. Mats
can be
commonly
found behind
the ears,
under the
elbow on
each front
leg, and in
the fluffy
fur on the
hind legs,
as well as
around the
collar. The
coat is
usually shed twice
a year.
Females will
also shed
right before
or right
after giving
birth. Male
shelties
technically
shed less
than females
but fur
still comes
off
constantly. Shaving
these dogs
is very bad
for their
skin and
some do not
regrow any
significant
amount of
hair after
being
shaved, a
condition
known
as alopecia. Spaying or neutering can
alter coat
texture,
making it
softer, more
prone to
matting and
even more
profuse. It
should be
noted that
Shelties
shed in
clumps which
can be
pulled or
brushed out
of the main
coat, rather
than
individual
hair. This
makes them
much easier
to groom and
clean-up
after than
many
smooth-haired
dogs, which
leave loose
fur in their
space.
Shelties
have a high
level of
intelligence.
According to
Dr. Stanley
Coren, an
expert on
animal
intelligence,
the Shetland
sheepdog is
one of
the brightest
dogs,
ranking 6th
out of 132
breeds
tested. |
Personality
The Shetland sheepdog is lively, intelligent,
playful, trainable, and eager to please and
obey. They are loving, loyal, devoted, and
affectionate with their family, with a gentle
and sometimes reserved nature. However they are
excitable, energetic dogs who love to bark and
let you know what’s going on.
Is this the correct pup for you, which is the
best home and why?
Shelties thrive on the farm, but can adapt to
many living situations if sufficiently exercised. They are
good with any family especially an active family
and do best with a sensitive, attentive owner.
This breed needs people, they need a great deal
of companionship and do not like being left
alone for more than a few hours. They are prone
to separation anxiety and this can translate to
neurotic behaviours, destructive chewing, or
chronic excessive barking (sometimes with a
high-pitched, piercing voice).
These dogs have quick reflexes, which can make
them overly reactive to loud noises and sudden
touches. Indeed, quite a few individuals are
highly strung, startle easily, and do not do well
in an environment with frequent tension, loud
voices, or too much rough-housing. They are
extremely sensitive to stress and may behave
neurotically if the people in their home are
having family problems. Shelties are peaceful
dogs who need a harmonious home.
They can be reserved with
strangers and without proper exposure to people
and to unusual sights and sounds, their natural
caution can become outright shyness or fear. To
build a confident temperament, the Shetland
Sheepdog needs more extensive socialization from
a young age than many other breeds.
Shelties are very alert to outside stimuli and
will let you know of any that is going on, thus
they make excellent watch dog as well as guard
dogs. However they are in general very vocal
dogs and some will bark incessantly, so they may
not be the best breed for a home that is close
to neighbours. With proper training the barking
can be kept to a minimum.
Though on the small side, this breed has the
heritage of an active herding dog and needs more
exercise than many other smallish dogs. Although
they don't need miles of running exercise, a
half an hour to an hour walk or jog twice a day
will be fine and they also love to run in
wide-open areas. The herding instinct is still very
strong in many of these dogs and they love to
chase and herd things including cats, children,
and if an owner is not watchful - cars.
In addition to physical exercise Shelties need
mental stimulation as well, they are bright dogs
that cannot just sit in the backyard and do
nothing. At home this can be done by playing
challenging games with them, or even by letting
them fetch balls and find hidden toys.
Other ways to exercise them physically as well
as mentally is by participating in dog agility,
obedience, conformation, flyball, tracking,
herding, guarding, and performing tricks!
Neglecting a Sheltie's need for exercise and
intellectual stimulation can result in
undesirable behaviours, including excessive
barking, phobias, destructive chewing and
nervousness.
In a nutshell a Sheltie is for you if you
Don’t mind a dog that barks
Want small dog that has lots of energy
Are prepared to give it the exercise it needs
Want a dog that is easy to train, and you are
willing to put the time and effort into training
the dog
Want a dog that will go anywhere with you, just
keep in mind that they are sensitive to stress
and loud noises
You are willing to spend time on brushing and
combing them daily.
Don’t mind a dog that sheds a lot
Are willing to spend money at the vet, these
dogs have a potential for serious health
problems
You have the time or inclination to get your dog
involved in agility, advanced obedience,
tracking, or a similar canine activity.
Are an active family that can give them the
exercise they need, they need more exercise than
many other smallish dogs.
Where do I get my pup from?
Only from reputable breeders! One can contact
the Kennel Union Of Southern Africa (KUSA) to
check out any breeder.
Here is a
list of current participating Sheltie breeders in South
Africa.
Always try and meet both parents of the puppies.
This is not always possible, but definitely ask to see
the mother.
Please read our article on how to choose a
reputable breeder on the
this page.
Which other breeds are most compatible with the
Shetland Sheepdogs?
They
will get along with almost any active breed, but will be
able to play easier with smaller breeds than
bigger breeds.
Naturally a good choice will be another Sheltie
or Shepherd breed, but also adapt to other
breeds.
Is it wise to have two or more of the same
breed?
Most definitely, this is the most ideal
situation as they understand each other.
Should I get two pups together?
This is not a good idea. Most people think that
the pups will be happier with a playmate and
won’t fight if they are family. The truth of the
matter is that your two pups are likely to:
Bond with each other to the exclusion of you
Will stress without the other dog being around
Fight with each other
Be more destructive and boisterous
Two pups together often leads to one being more
assertive and the other more submissive. This
could well end up in a situation where the more
submissive dog will never develop its full
potential.
Is it wise to keep same-sex dogs?
If you are a first time dog owner, perhaps avoid
this, but if you are well versed in dogs, it
shouldn't be a problem!
Do they get on well with other animals?
They're peaceful with other animals
Keep in mind that, like with all dogs, the level
at which these dogs get along with other animals
depends greatly of how well they were socialized
as pups
Are they good with children?
These dogs are polite with everyone, though
typically reserved and sometimes timid with
strangers, so as much early and continued
socialization as possible.
Shelties do well with children if they are
reared with them from an early age; however,
many Shelties feel overwhelmed by the loud
voices and quick movements that young children
can't help making and their small size makes it
easy for a child to accidentally injure them, so
supervision is necessary. They do get along well
with older children, especially if the child has
learnt to handle them calmly and gently.
Training
These dogs are exceptionally attentive and
responsive, this along with their intelligence
and willingness to please makes them very easy
to train.
They are sensitive to the tone of your voice,
and they need a trainer that has a calm voice
and a light hand on the leash. They often only
need verbal corrections, and they wilt or become
defensive if you jerk them around.
Praise,
gentle guidance, and positive reinforcement are
the way to
go with Shelties.
With proper and correct training this breed can
easily dominate in dog agility, obedience,
showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding.
Grooming
Shelties have a double coat; the topcoat
consists of long, straight, water-repellent
hair, which provides protection from cold and
the elements and the undercoat is short, furry,
very dense and helps to keep the dog warm.
Spaying or neutering can alter their coat
texture, making it softer, more prone to matting
and even more profuse.
Shelties are quite fastidious about their
cleanliness, bathe or dry shampoo only when
absolutely necessary and regular brushing,
combing, and occasional trimming is important to
keep their feathered coat free of mats. Mats can
be commonly found behind the ears, under the
elbow on each front leg, and in the fluffy fur
on the hind legs, as well as around the collar.
DO NOT shave these dogs, shaving them is very
bad for their skin and some do not re-grow any
significant amount of hair after being shaved, a
condition known as alopecia.
Something to keep in mind is that they shed a
lot. You'll find hair and fur is deposited all
over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, and
under your furniture. Their dense undercoat is
shed twice a year - in the spring and fall - and
females will also shed right before or right
after giving birth. It should however be noted
that they shed in clumps which can be pulled or
brushed out of the main coat, rather than
individual hair. This makes them much easier to
groom and clean-up after than many smooth-haired
dogs, which leave loose fur in their space.
More on grooming to be found
here.
Health concerns
For the most part Shelties are athletic and
healthy, however the list of health problems
that can occurring regularly in Shelties is
depressingly long.
Some health problems that can occur include:
epilepsy, bleeding disorders, heart disease,
skin allergies, displacement of the patella
(kneecap) - which is thought to be inherited and
easy weight gain - so you need to watch their
food portions.
Although small breed dogs are not usually
plagued by hip dysplasia, it has been identified
in Shelties and is ever-increasing in incidences. Hip dysplasia occurs when the head
of the femur and the acetabulum do not fit
together correctly, frequently causing pain
and/or lameness.
It is thought to be genetic.
Like the Rough Collie, there is a tendency
toward inherited malformation and disease of the
eyes. Each individual puppy should have his eyes
examined by a qualified canine
ophthalmologist. The two basic forms of
inherited eye diseases/defects in Shelties are
Collie eye anomaly (CEA) and progressive retinal
atrophy (PRA).
Some lines may be prone to hypothyroidism, which
is the under-functioning thyroid gland. It is an
Autoimmune disease where the immune system
attacks the thyroid gland. Clinical symptoms
include hair loss or lack of coat, over or
under-weight, and listlessness.
Some herding dogs carry a MDR1 gene which makes
them sensitive to certain drugs - that are
otherwise okay to give another dog.
Shelties are also highly susceptible to
Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC). TCC is a
cancer of the bladder, and can be diagnosed
early by regular urinalysis from a normal
veterinarian. Causes are debated between breed
susceptibility and female gender and exposure to
insecticides.
Dermatomyositis may occur at the age of 4 to 6
months, and is frequently misdiagnosed by
general practice veterinarians as sarcoptic or
demodectic mange. The disease manifests itself
as alopecia on the top of the head, supra- and
suborbital area and forearms as well as the tip
of the tail. If the disease progresses to its
more damaging form, it could affect the
autonomic nervous system and the dog may have to
be euthanised. This disease is
generation-skipping and genetically transmitted,
with breeders having no clear methodology for
screening except clear bloodline records. Deep
tissue biopsies are required to definitively
diagnose dermatomyositis.[19]
Von Willebrand disease is an inherited bleeding
disorder. In Shelties, affected dogs as a
general rule are not viable and do not live
long. The Sheltie carries type III of von
Willebrands, which is the most severe of the
three levels. There are DNA tests that were
developed to find von Willebrands in Shelties.
It can be done at any age, and it will give
three results: affected, carrier and
non-affected.
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of
veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to
consider medical insurance for your pets.
Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure
that if your pet does develop one of the health
issues the breed is prone too, that you will be
covered –additionally, just knowing that any
accident your pet may have will be covered, will
out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet
owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as
they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates
are comparable to the rest of the industry. To
find out the questions and things to look for in
a Medical Insurance, please just follow this
link”
More on conditions
here.
Life expectancy
About 12-15 years.
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