Breed Spotlight - The Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog, like the Collie, traces back to the Border Collie of Scotland which, was transported to the Shetland Islands and crossed with small, intelligent, long-haired breeds, and was reduced to miniature proportions.  Subsequently, crosses were made from time to time with Collies. 

The Shetland Sheepdog is a small, alert, rough-coated, long-haired working dog.  The coat comes in many different colours, sable, blue merle, tri colour, bi-colour to name a few.

The Sheltie must be sound, agile and sturdy.   The Shetland Sheepdog is intensely loyal, affectionate, and responsive to his owner and may be reserved towards strangers but not to the point of showing fear or cringing in the ring.

As a herding breed, their small size is deceiving as what they lack in size, they make up in speed and attiude. This makes Shelties adaptable to many dog sports.  

Shelties are good with children and also make great therapy dogs as they are always  happy to please.  Although generally not water dogs, if introduced at a young age, they too can learn to enjoy swimming.

Archived Spotlights:
The Rottweiler
The Bearded Collie

The Australian Cattle Dog