TO TEST OR NOT
TO TEST
Mary E. Galloway DVM
As ASSA Health chairperson, people who want to
purchase a Sheltie frequently contact me asking
what they should know about the breed’s health
problems. A recent call highlighted some
concerns expressed by both breeders and owners
about the current focus on canine health and
research and how it reflects on the perceived
health of purebred dogs and Shelties in
particular.
"I am interested in buying a Sheltie but when I
hear about all the tests my puppy’s parents
should have it worries me. I see your club is
involved in various health research projects and
is trying to raise money for further research.
Should I look for a healthier breed? When I
spoke with one breeder I was told about all the
tests her dogs have had for a lot of diseases. I
can get a Sheltie from another person who told
me they don’t have to test for problems since
they don’t have any in their lines. What do you
think?"
Testing for diseases and monitoring the
occurrence of diseases by breed clubs and
breeders does not indicate that problems exist
in that breed or line. In fact it is a positive
indication that the people who breed these dogs
are trying to produce the healthiest puppies
they can. As researchers become more aware of
the underlying causes for many diseases in our
dogs, breeders try to use all the resources
available to them to produce healthy dogs. This
includes feeding a proper diet, providing proper
exercise and housing and may include testing for
abnormal conditions or diseases that exist in
the breed. Testing for specific conditions will
allow only unaffected animals to be used for
breeding. The abnormal conditions currently
recognized in Shelties are found in low numbers
in the breed. Testing will allow these uncommon
conditions to remain uncommon or even be
eliminated from the breed.
A test may be one that screens for the presence
of a condition or disease. This would include
eye exams (CERF)**, radiographs of the hips for
hip dysplasia (OFA, PennHip) or a blood test for
thyroid disease. When a dog has one of these
tests done it will tell the owner whether the
condition is present in that dog at that time.
Many of these tests need to be repeated
throughout the dog’s lifetime since the
condition can develop as the animal matures and
ages. Some tests are done just once at a
predetermined age since it is unlikely the
condition will develop after that time. Checking
for these conditions will allow breeders to
breed only dogs that appear normal. What must be
remembered is that although the dog may not show
the condition him/herself these tests do not
show if the dog is genetically free of the
problem. The dog may appear normal but carry
recessive genes. When this dog is bred to
another dog also carrying recessive genes they
may produce animals that will develop the
disease. This is how affected animals can come
from "normal" parents. The best safeguard we
have to reduce or eliminate these problems in
our dogs is to screen all breeding stock and
breed only from those who are free of the
condition. In the case of eye checks and thyroid
testing, it must be repeated many times in a
dog’s lifetime since these abnormalities may not
appear until an animal is older. If all animals
in the first 3-4 generations of your puppy’s
pedigree have been tested and found normal it is
unlikely that your puppy will develop the
condition. It is important to point out that
many of the disease conditions we recognize as
having a genetic basis can also be influenced by
the environment. The development of hip
dysplasia is a good example. Research has shown
diet and exercise as well as growth rates, can
influence the development of hip dysplasia.
Obesity can cause or aggravate a number of
disease conditions in dogs. It is the owner’s
responsibility to know how to correctly feed,
house and exercise their growing puppy to ensure
a healthy adult and to maintain good health in
your adult dog.
The only absolute way to know your puppy will
not develop a certain disease or condition is
through genetic testing. A genetic test allows
us to know what is actually coded in the genes
of the animal being bred. It is not influenced
by environment or outside stresses. It will tell
you what genes the dog actually carries and not
just which ones are expressed. Research is
unlocking the key to many diseases in dogs and
people. As these tests are developed and become
available, breeders will test their breeding
stock and know the genetic makeup of each
animal. This will allow breedings to be planned
to avoid producing affected offspring and to
eventually eliminate the disease from the breed.
The only genetic based test currently available
for the Shetland Sheepdog is for von
Willebrand’s Disease, a bleeding disorder. (As
of 2008, additional DNA tests have become
available. See the CHIC section.)
That is why all this research is so important.
Projects are underway to study many of the
conditions that affect our Shelties today.
Funding is needed for other projects that are of
equal importance. As we eliminate one disease
from our animals there will be others to demand
our attention. That is why parent clubs like the
ASSA monitor the breed through health surveys.
Living creatures including dogs and man are
constantly changing. Gene mutations are an
ongoing process. Some mutations will produce
disease conditions not recognized today.
It is
said all people carry 5-6 lethal genes as well
as numerous genes that can cause the development
of many disease conditions. The same is probably
true for our dogs. The challenge for breeders is
to use all the knowledge available today to
avoid breeding animals together that carry the
same deleterious genes. There is no dog or line
of dogs that is free of all disease causing
genes. If testing is not done, breeders may not
be aware of problems that exist, but they are
still there. It is true some diseases can’t be
tested for at this time. They can be
unpredictable and the best we can do is not use
for breeding animals that develop the condition.
So don’t be afraid of a breed or breeder that is
active in health research and testing of their
breeding animals. This indicates the acceptance
of responsibility and an ongoing effort to
produce beautiful healthy Shelties. |
IS THE
SHELTIE RIGHT FOR YOU?
ASSA Admin
The Shetland Sheepdog, or ‘Sheltie' as they are
often called, generally resembles the Collie in
miniature. Because of the similarity, they are
often called a Miniature Collie, but the Sheltie
is actually a distinctly separate breed, and was
not bred down from the fullsize Collie. The
breed evolved from hardy ancestors which lived
on the Shetland Islands off the northeast coast
of Scotland. The Sheltie developed as a hardy
herding dog, alert guard dog, and an intelligent
and affectionate companion. Their attentiveness
and his willingness to obey were qualities
desired by the crofter and the shepherd.
Shelties have an intense desire to please their
owners and an enormous capacity for love and
affection, although they can be a bit reserved
or reticent with strangers. They are not
recommended for people, or very young children,
who would not appreciate their sensitive nature.
As a Sheltie matures, he often learns to respond
in an almost human fashion, and becomes a real
member of the family. The Sheltie is
exceptionally trainable and responsive, plus
being an outstanding worker in obedience,
herding, and agility trials. Shelties raised as
pets develop a great deal of loyalty to their
owners and seem to have a natural affinity for
children, being gentle and loving companions for
them. Unlike some other breeds, there is little
difference in temperament between male and
female Shelties, although some feel that males
are more affectionate and make better pets.
Early socialization experiences will help a
young Sheltie mature into the desired companion.
Shelties are very alert and protective, and will
bark to let you know something is different in
their realm.
According to the standard of the breed, the
ideal Sheltie should stand between 13" and 16"
at the shoulder, and will generally weigh 20-25
pounds. Both oversize and undersize Shelties can
appear in the same litter, and can make great
pets. Another common fault is incorrect ear
carriage - the top of the ears should tip
forward, and a good breeder can give you advice
on proper ear care through puppyhood. Although a
breeder cannot predict accurately that a young
puppy will have correct ears or be within proper
size range when grown, they can give you an
educated guess about those qualities.
Although both of these aspects are important for
the show/breeding prospect, they will have no
effect upon your Sheltie’s qualities as a good
pet. The Sheltie comes in five acceptable colors,
all set off by white markings: The most common
color is Sable ranging from golden brown to
mahogany, with touches of black; Tri-color with
black, and tan; Blue Merle with blue grey,
black, and tan; Bi-blue with blue-grey and
black; and Bi-black with only black and white.
Shelties have a double coat, the outer layer
consisting of long, straight, coarse hair, and
the undercoat being short, furry, and very
dense. Mature males have a more impressive coat
than females. How much grooming your Sheltie
will need depends on the individual dog.
Overall, the Sheltie is a very clean dog, and on
the average needs only a weekly brushing (it's
helpful to spray mist with water when brushing).
Be sure to check for mats behind the ears, under
the elbow on each front leg, and in the pants'
under the tail. Toenails and hair between the
pads need to be trimmed every several
weeks.Start your puppy at a young age learning
to be groomed once a week including opening the
mouth and checking and cleaning the teeth. Your
vet will be very pleased if you accustom your
dog to handling on examining. Correctly guided
and encouraged, most Shelties learn to love
grooming and look forward to it as a special
quality' time.
A Sheltie needs a fair amount of exercise but
will adapt himself to your way of life. They
will do well in any environment: as long as the
necessary exercise is provided. Between 12 and
20 weeks of age, a puppy should be given various
socialization experiences, including trips to
the park, playground, shopping center, a
friend's home, or other places where your puppy
is welcome. This socialization will help the
puppy develop a friendly temperament and become
used to strange circumstances.
With high-quality food and regular vet care,
Shelties can easily live to be 14 years old. Be
sure to place your puppy under veterinary
supervision, and be certain that it receives its
inoculations and is regularly checked for
parasites. Your dog should have all its
protective shots before exposing it to the
general canine population. The breeder should
provide you information on feeding, caring for
your dog, vaccinations and a written contract
covering the conditions of sale as a pet. Pet
quality dogs should not be used for breeding,
and most are sold with a spay/’neuter' contract.
Sometimes the AKC registration is withheld until
the dog is neutered, or the breeder may opt to
use the AKC's Limited Registration option. It is
a medical fact that spayed bitches are healthier
and live longer than un-spayed bitches. After
being neutered, most males will become more
tolerantant of other male dogs and cannot
develop testicular cancer and they will be less
susceptible to prostrate cancer. The best way to
find a Sheltie is to contact a Breeder Referral
representative of an established Sheltie breed
club. You should investigate the availability of
an ASSA member club in your area to see what
they offer in the way of education and Sheltie
performance events that may include: herding,
agility, tracking, obedience and conformation.If
you have a
chance to visit a dog show, the Sheltie
exhibitors there may have puppies at home for
sale, or can direct you to a good source. Before
buying a puppy, the ASSA recommends that you ask
to see both parents, or at least the mother;
and, if at all possible,evaluate the temperament
and socialization of the mother and puppies.
Also ask if the parents have had their eyes and
hips checked, and if any genetic problems have
shown-up in any of the dog's ancestors or
relatives. Enjoy your Shelties with their sweet,
willing- to-please nature and expression, and
that special ‘something' that makes them a joy
to be around and own. |
THE SHELTIE - WHAT
IS A JUDGE LOOKING FOR?
Gael Morison
What a stupid question – can hear you all
say “ Oh the judge will judge according to the
standard .”
Yes indeed , we all follow the breed standard .
Every judges interpretation of the standard
varies to some degree , sometimes to alarming
degrees . We have both All Rounder Judges and
Breed Specialist Judges judging our dogs .
Specialists are usually more demanding and
obsess more about certain hallmarks than our All
Rounders. Opinions from both Specialists and All
Rounders are good for the breed.
Trends and presentation styles change but the
Shetland Sheepdog Breed Standard remains a firm
, definite guide for breeders and judges to
follow . The onus is equally shared between the
breeders and the judges to breed and judge
according to the Breed Standard .
The General Appearance of the Sheltie Standard
gives the judge a perfect idea of what to expect
of our beautiful breed .
“ Small , long haired, WORKING dog of GREAT
BEAUTY , free from cloddiness and coarseness .
Outline symmetrical so that no part appears out
of PROPORTION to the whole .
Abundant coat , mane and frill , shapeliness of
head and sweetness of expression combine to
present the ideal”
That is the picture , concise ,not complicated .
Wording describing what picture you want to see
.
( It is interesting to note that the General
Appearance of the Rough Collie , closely related
historically to our modern day Shetland Sheepdog
also mentions beauty and proportion. General
Appearance “ The Collie should instantly appeal
as a dog of GREAT BEAUTY , standing with
impassive dignity , with no part out of
PROPORTION to the whole .”)
Here is just a brief list of what I look for
when judging Shetland Sheepdogs .The whole
standard not covered by any means : you all have
the standard and can follow up on the “what
every dog has” stuff. I have simply highlighted
the some of the unique , special hallmarks that
make up our beloved breed .
Gr Ch Hillacre Wee Macgregor.
Adelaide Royal in 1998
HEAD : Shapeliness of head and sweetness of
expression combine to present the ideal .
It is all the combinations that make the perfect
head and expression so difficult to achieve .
Characteristic expression from a simple sounding
mix :
1 Perfect balance and combination of skull and
foreface Not skully , not snipey .
2 Shape , colour and placement of eyes . Shape
ALMOND , MEDIUM size , OBLIQUELY set , Colour
DARK BROWN except for Merles
3 Ears Correct position and placement of ears.
Small , fairly close together on top of skull .
When alert brought forward with tips falling
forward .
4 Mouth Well developed underjaw ( remember ,
these are sheep ankle – biters ) and perfect
scissor bite.
NECK and BODY : The neck and body are what
produce the graceful sweeps and curves , the
Sheltie “S”
Neck is well arched and allows head to be
carried proudly
Body Slightly longer than height at withers .
Chest deep to point of elbow.
Back level , with GRACEFUL SWEEP over loins ,
croup sloping gradually to the rear
FORE and HINDQUARTERS pretty straightforward .
Strong boned . Shoulders well laid back . Upper
arm approx equal in length to shoulder blade .
Hindquarters : thighs broad and muscled . Well
angulated stifle joint . Hocks straight .
TAIL : Set LOW , of good length ie reaching to
at least hock . NEVER kinked or carried over
level of back. Furnishings and graceful carriage
complete the silhouette of the dog.
MOVEMENT : The desired lithe , smooth and
graceful with strong drive from hindquarters .
Covering plently of ground easily .
PACING , PLAITING , ROLLING OR STIFF, STILTED UP
AND DOWN MOVEMENT HIGHLY UNDESDIRABLE
SIZE : Bitches to look like bitches and Dogs to
look like dogs .
Ideals Dogs 37cms at withers Bitches 35.5cms at
withers
Dreaded rider : More than 2.5 cms above or below
ideal height highly undesirable .
Although small in stature , Shelties make their
presence felt in the Herding /Working / Pastoral
Groups .
A beautiful breed . Good to see bigger Sheltie
entries at shows again and even more pleasing to
see the promising youngsters being shown .
Gael Morison
September 2018
|
THE SHELTIE vs THE ROUGH
COLLIE
Nadine Shortland
coming soon
|
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