Dogs 101 - SHETLAND SHEEPDOG - Top Dog Facts About the SHETLAND SHEEPDOG

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Dogs 101 - SHETLAND SHEEPDOG - Top Dog Facts About the SHETLAND SHEEPDOG

The Shetland Sheepdog is a breed of herding dogs, also known as the Sheltie. Its origins are believed to lie in the same herding dogs that provide ancestry for the Collie breeds. The Sheltie grew from these lines on the Shetland Islands, where paucity of vegetation led to small-statured livestock, resulting in the very specific need for diminutive herding dogs. Apart from the Rough Collie, some other breeds that might have contributed to the development of the Shetland Sheepdogare believed to be the King Charles Spaniel, the Pomeranian and the Border Collie. These sheepdogs developed in isolation for a long time, and it was only in early 1900s that breeding for specific traits began in a formal manner.

Time for some Ruff Trivia:
- The Shetland Sheepdog is named after the Shetland Islands that are located in which country?
o A: Scotland
o B: Ireland
o C: Wales
What do you think, give it your best guess in the comments below before we get to the answer! Hang on tight and we’ll get back to this Ruff Trivia Question toward the end of the video.

The average height of the adult Shetland Sheepdog is between 13 to 16 inches, and weight around 20 pounds. The general appearance is that of a miniature Rough Collie, with the head typically wedge-shaped when viewed from top or side. The coat has two layers – an undercoat that is short, furry and very dense, and a top layer that is long, straight and harsh. The basic coat colors are sable, tricolor (black, white and tan) and bi-black (black and white). Blue coloring might be seen in some dogs.

Grooming:The Sheltie sheds a lot of hair, especially in shedding season, and requires daily brushing to remove dead hair. Shaving of hair is strictly not recommended as it does not grow back properly once shaved. Regular brushing of teeth, cleaning of ears and trimming of nails are other regular parts of the grooming regimen.

Temperament:The Sheltie is a friendly, eager to please, and sensitive dog. It gets along well with children or other pets, even if it might try to drive them around by nipping at their feet. Its instincts make it an excellent guard dog. Though bred to live on a farm, it can do well in suburban homes or apartments with access to a yard. Dogs of this breed tend to bark a lot.

Training:The Shetland Sheepdog is one of the most intelligent breeds of dog and can be trained very easily. Given this high intelligence, it is highly recommended to involve the dog in basic obedience training, if not more complex physical and mental stimulation. Though an energetic breed, its daily exercise needs can be taken care with a good walk on leash or a game in the yard.

Health:The life expectancy of a Shetland Sheepdog is between 12 to 14 years. It is a generally healthy breed, though certain bloodlines might suffer from inherited diseases, and potential owners should do their background check. Some common ailments seen are a cancer of the bladder, collie eye anomaly, retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, hip dysplasia and skin allergies.

The Shetland Sheepdog is like an alarm system that likes to cuddle. Extremely loyal and affectionate, it is the happiest when you respect its high intelligence and keep it busy.

Find out if the Shetland Sheepdogwould be a good addition to your home. Now you can visit Brooklyn’s Corner.com to take our quiz and find out which dog would be the best match for you.


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