Should you get a Sheltie?
The Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, is known for its intelligence, loyalty, and affectionate nature. They are great with children and have a gentle temperament. They are protective of their family and can be reserved around strangers, but with proper socialization, they make fantastic family pets.
The Shetland Sheepdog is a breed of dog
native to the Shetland Islands in Scotland. It is also known as the “Sheltie” or “Shetland Collie”. In the early 20th century, the name “Shetland Collie” was later changed to the current name due to Collie club and owner objections. In research on modern dog breed development they have been shown to share the most common DNA with ancestors of the following 3 breeds:
1.Collie
2.Australian Shepherd
3. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Shetland Sheepdogs First Appeared
on the Shetland Islands in the 1700s, where local farmers are believed to have mixed imported Spitz breeds with native herding dogs. This combination resulted in a breed that was well-suited for the rugged terrain and harsh climate of the islands. They were officially recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1909, followed by the American Kennel Club in 1911 and the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) in 1956.
Shelties can be quite vocal.
Not only can a Sheltie be a good alarm clock, but they can also surprise you with their singing, howling, and talking sounds. What may start as a simple yawn can quickly turn into a full-blown concert!
“Talking” Sheltie Video
Shetland Sheepdogs are clean dogs.
Similar to the Shiba Inu, the Sheltie has been described as having cat-like cleanliness. This does not mean they should not be brushed. A weekly brushing/grooming for their long coat is still recommended.
Shetland Sheepdogs were widely used for
for herding/guarding livestock. They are known for their intelligence, obedience and loyalty. They can also make great seeing-eye dogs for the blind and medical alert dogs. They have a sweet, sensitive temperament that makes them perfect for this job.
In research from the University
Pennsylvania, the Sheltie ranked 20th out of 124 dog breeds in trainability. This means they learn and follow commands quickly and tend to ignore most distractions.
The Shetland Sheepdog is a very alert
and watchful dog. In the same research quoted above, they rank high in energy level. They are not “guard dogs” but they generally make great watch dogs and will alert you if anything seems strange to them. Sometimes they can be quite vocal!
The Shetland Sheepdog will reach
a height between 13 to 16 inches and a weight between 15-25 pounds. Their breed standard coat colors are black, blue merle, and sable mixed with white. The coat of a Sheltie is long, double with a coarse outer coat and soft dense undercoat. There are smooth coated Shelties with shorter hair than a normal Sheltie but this is not considered a separate variety.
How Fast Can a Sheltie Run?
Their high energy level, agility and intelligence makes them one of the top breeds in canine agility, herding and obedience competitions. In 100 the Fast Cat 100 yard running trials, held by the AKC, the average speed for as Sheltie is about 20 mph. The fastest Sheltie was by a dog named CH Asgards Flight Of The Night Fury at 27.72 mph!
Shelties are generally a very robust breed
and live 12-15 years. But there are some health conditions that are known to affect them. Some of these are:
Dermatomyositis
Eye Diseases such as Collie Eye Anomaly
Von Willebrand Disease
In studies on canine intelligence
done by Professor Stanley Coren in the 1990’s, the Shetland Shepdog ranked 6th out of 130 different breeds. Essentially, this means they will learn new commands in 5 or fewer repetitions and follow those commands 99 percent of the time. They are a smart breed!
Check Your Shetland Sheepdog Facts and Take a Fun Sheltie Quiz!
More Sheltie Stuff-Share a Picture!
Say hello and upload a picture ti the Sheltie page – #sheltie
Facts About the Shetland Sheepdog-Final Thoughts
From their intelligent and alert nature to their beautiful double coat, Shetland Sheepdogs are a perfect choice for those seeking a loyal and active companion. With proper mental stimulation, regular exercise, and consistent training methods, this small dog breed will excel in various dog sports and activities. Whether you’re looking for a great companion or a competitive partner in dog sports, finding the right puppy from reputable breeders is crucial. It is important to provide lots of exercise and engage in activities that cater to their herding instincts. By investing time and effort into their training and socialization, you can ensure that your Shetland Sheepdog becomes a fantastic family member.
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