The origins of the Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog (or Sheltie) takes its name from the Scottish islands where it originated. He comes from the crossbreeding of a local sheepdog and a Collie, an ancestry that has earned him the reputation of being often mistaken for a “mini” Collie. It is indeed a breed in its own right, the standard of which was published in 2013.
The physique of the Shetland Sheepdog
- height: 35 to 39 cm at the withers (male) and 33 to 37 cm at the withers (female);
- weight: 7 to 11 kg;
- hair: long, dense, collar and crop marked, shorter on head and limbs;
- hair color: fawn, blue merle, two-tone (black/white, two-tone blue, black/tan) or tricolor;
- head shape: sculpted with a flat forehead, with a gradually narrowing muzzle;
- eye shape and color: almond-shaped, dark brown (minnow in the blue merle Sheltie);
- shape of the ears: small, triangular, marked with a 1/3 fold;
- other features: long tail, low set, plumed hair.
The character of the Shetland Sheepdog
The Sheltie is a very active and intelligent little dog, which has long made it highly prized by sheep herders. Now it is more adopted as companion dog. Playful and affectionate, he is a very good choice for children.
Devoid of hunting instinct, he is very receptive to training, and he is prowess in disciplines such as agility. This little dog can be fearful: it is recommended to take care of his education so that he is sociable. And he’s not a very good watchdog, because he barks mainly when he’s scared.
This dog tolerates loneliness quite well during the day. He acclimatizes well to apartment life, as long as you provide him with long walks and daily exercise.
The health of the Shetland Sheepdog
The Sheltie is hardy and hardy, and it boasts a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. It is recommended to brush his teeth regularly. Endowed with an abundant hair, it must be brushed once a week. During the moult (once a year in the male, twice in the female), it must be brushed daily.
The Sheltie can be affected by the MDR1 gene and dermatomyositis, a rare inflammatory disease of the skin linked to chromosome 35 and muscles, mainly affecting Collies and Shetland dogs, as shown in the study Linkage of dermatomyositis in the Shetland Sheepdog to chromosome 35.
The Sheltie can be affected by eye disorders: Collie eye anomaly (or choroidal hypoplasia) and PRA (Progressive retinal atrophy). Since these pathologies are hereditary, it is worth paying attention to its lineage.
The Shetland Sheepdog Award
Count 1000 to 1500 € for a Shetland Sheepdog. Add to this price all the additional costs: veterinarian, groomer, food…