Origin and History of Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog, sometimes known as the Sheltie, originates on the Shetland Islands of Scotland. The breed’s initial name was Shetland Collie, but dispute arose among Rough Collie breeders at the time, prompting an official name change in 1910.

The Shetland Sheepdog is a sturdy breed that has been used in the past as a working dog on Shetland Islands.

The breed’s exact origins is unknown, but the AKC version of their history claims that the small, bird-like dogs were originally bred for herding sheep and later used for hunting and retrieving animals.

It is also believed that these dogs were bred with larger Collie breeds to produce different sizes for different purposes.

Shetland Sheepdog Characteristics

The most noticeable characteristic of the Shetland Sheepdog is the coat. The Sheltie is typically born with a short, waterproof double coat which eventually develops into a long, silky mane.

In terms of color, the Sheltie can have black or brown hair with white or tan markings and may also have gundog markings on their face. The darker markings help to mask soiling easily, as these dogs are frequently used as working dogs.

The Shetland Sheepdog is typically an affectionate dog that loves attention and can often be found napping in the lap of his owner. This breed is especially quick to learn commands; if it is a puppy, they can quickly form bonds with their humans.

However, shelties are still dogs, so they have a stubborn streak and sometimes need extra supervision.

Shetland Sheepdogs are intelligent dogs who enjoy learning new tricks and being trained by their owners. They are easily distracted, so training may require some patience. However, the Shetland Sheepdog is an extremely loyal breed who will learn commands very quickly in order to serve their owners.

This breed has a lifespan is 12-14 years and can live longer if properly cared for and nourished. The Shetland Sheepdog also does not shed much, making them a good choice for dog owners with allergies or who are annoyed by pet hair on their clothes.

Shetland Sheepdog Temperament

The Shetland Sheepdog is a social breed that adores human beings. They are especially loving towards children. Shelties love to be around their owners and will often follow their owners from room to room.

This breed is also very playful and lives to be around other people and animals. In addition, they are very intelligent dogs that can be trained as early as when they are puppies.

The Sheltie is known for its courage, intelligence, friendliness, and being a quick learner with lots of personality. They are a small dog that doesn’t require a lot of exercise and can live in an apartment.

However, they do enjoy some playtime outside if they have the chance and will often pull on the leash to get their owners back to playing. Shelties are generally quiet dogs that will bark only when necessary.

Shetland Sheepdog Training

The Sheltie is an intelligent dog that understands commands quickly and can easily be taught. They are quick to pick up new tricks and love to learn new things.

They are especially good at learning commands like sit, wait, and come, which will help keep them safe while they are outside.

If you’re looking for a dog that will learn at his own pace, the Shetland Sheepdog may be right for you.

However, they do have a stubborn streak and may not listen unless you’re consistent.

In addition, this breed is energetic and needs daily exercise. Some Sheltie owners choose to jog with their dogs in order to give them the exercise that they need.

Shetland Sheepdog Uses

Shelties are used as service dogs, therapy dogs, and dogs that can tell if someone is sick. They also do well in dog sports like rally, agility, herding, and obedience. In fact, this little “Collie in miniature” is one of the best dogs in the world at competing in agility events.

This breed is also used as a watch dog, but they are fairly small, so the barking may not scare thieves away.

Shelties will bark if they hear a noise, but they will only let out a few barks before lying down again. Sometimes they may start barking up at an intruder and then immediately stop when the intruder doesn’t respond.

Shetland Sheepdog Grooming

The Sheltie has a double coat, with the guard coat being longer than the undercoat, and requires grooming every 4 to 8 weeks, with more regular grooming required during the shedding seasons of spring and fall.

As long as the undercoat is gone, your dog’s outside guard coat will offer shade and protection from the sun, which will help your dog’s skin stay healthy and vibrant.

The Sheltie is known for being a low-shedding breed and those that are purchased from reputable breeders will usually not require frequent grooming or trimming.

The undercoat of this breed can also help to protect the dog from the elements and keep them comfortable in cooler climates.

The Shetland Sheepdog’s most important grooming concern is their legs, because these dogs are prone to licking and biting them (especially their elbows).

If you are not careful, the Sheltie can have a rough time with the undercoat and will cause injuries to the skin. In order to prevent this, it is important that you take proper care of your dog’s legs.

Even though the Shetland Sheepdog’s coat looks soft and silky, their hair actually has a hard outer layer that can get damaged by sharp objects. This can lead to infections and skin problems over time.

If you have a Shetland Sheepdog, it’s very important that you brush the hair on the legs until they are completely clean. Then wash their hair with a dog shampoo that is specially designed for pets, like Nylabone’s ‘Double Action’ dog grooming tool or the neutural naturals pet shampoos and conditioners.

Shetland Sheepdog Care

The Shetland Sheepdog requires little to no grooming. They are often preferred over the bigger Sheltie varieties because they require much less grooming. This breed sheds very minimally, especially if they come from a reputable breeder.

However, during their shedding season (spring and fall), you will have to brush your dog often so they do not become matted. The Sheltie is a low-shedding dog, so you can brush your dog daily to remove the loose hair and guard their coat.

The Shetland Sheepdog also requires exercise and will be happier if they have something to do. They are very energetic dogs that need play time as well as time to rest and relax during the day.

The Shetland Sheepdog is not good for apartment living since they love to wander, so look for a place in or near the country that has a fenced yard for them.

Also, make sure they have a quiet space to go inside during the day while you’re at work. They need a warm, dry place to sleep that is also safe and cozy.

The Shetland Sheepdog is a breed that prefers cool, dry weather. They are very active dogs, so they need regular exercise in order to stay happy and healthy.

They do not like to be outside in hot weather, but they will do fine with occasional walks during the warmer summer months.

This breed also loves being around its owner and needs human interaction at all times. This is why it is important to socialize the dog as soon as possible.

This includes walking the dog and spending time with it outside of the home.

The Shetland Sheepdog has a lifespan is 12-14 years and can live longer if properly cared for and nourished. The Shetland Sheepdog also does not shed much, making them a good choice for dog owners with allergies or who are annoyed by pet hair on their clothes.

As long as you have a good pair of nail clippers, the Shetland Sheepdog’s nails do not need to be trimmed very often.

In order to prevent them from getting ingrown nails, it’s important that you take care of your dog’s nails right away (especially if you have a puppy). Once you see the nail starting to grow into their skin, it is too late and might cause an infection.

Shetland Sheepdog Training

The Shetland Sheepdog is an intelligent dog that is eager to please. Once you have taught your dog the proper commands, they will learn them quickly and will be very eager to help you out around the house.

This breed is extremely energetic and playful, which means they are constantly busy doing something.

Because of their intelligence, they do well in obedience training, however some Shelties may develop a stubborn streak if you are inconsistent with the training.

This breed also responds well to positive reinforcement. This means you should reward your dog for doing what you want them to do even if it’s not perfect.

This is especially important if you are using clicker training with your dog. The clicker is a tool that helps train your dog so you can use positive reinforcement (praise and treats) instead of punishments (releasing their leash or pushing them out the door).

Clicker training takes a lot of patience, so it is important that you try to be consistent. Otherwise, you could end up with a dog that is not too keen on training.

It’s also important that you remain calm and patient when your dog doesn’t understand what you want them to do. You can help encourage your dog by treating them and letting them know how proud of them you are when they do something right. This type of training will take time, but it will be worth it in the end.

Shetland Sheepdog Socialization

The Shetland Sheepdog is a very friendly dog, so they require socialization right away. If you plan on training your dog for protection or to compete in agility, then you should begin training them as soon as possible.

However, if you are looking for a pet that can be left alone in the house while you’re at work, then it’s important that you do not neglect their socialization.

It is important to keep them around other people and animals so they can grow accustomed to different situations and environments.

If they do not have enough socialization, they can become very scared of things in the environment and will be a lot harder to train.

These dogs are very protective of their owner, so it is important to socialize them with other people instead of letting them develop bad habits or thinking that the owner is their new master.

The Shetland Sheepdog is a breed that loves being around its owner and needs human interaction at all times. This is why it is important to socialize the dog as soon as possible.

Shetland Sheepdog Activities

The Shetland Sheepdog is an active dog and needs plenty of exercise. It is not recommended for apartment living since they love to wander and can be destructive if left alone.

The Sheltie also loves to play, so having a dog that likes to fetch is also a good idea.

If you have the time, you should take them along with you on your errands or go for a run every now and then.

They also do well in agility competitions, so you can try entering your dog into the competition if you want.

These dogs are very intelligent and love to learn new tricks, so it’s important to take them to dog training classes. These classes will also help stop any bad habits before they start.

If you’re not interested in taking your dog out for errands, then you should at least bring them along on walks. As long as they get plenty of exercise, they will be happier and less destructive when left home alone.

Shetland Sheepdog Exercise

The Shetland Sheepdog is a very active dog that requires a lot of exercise. It is not recommended for apartment living since they love to wander and can be destructive if left alone.

The Sheltie also loves to play, so having a dog that likes to fetch is also a good idea. If you have the time, you should take them along with you on your errands or go for a run every now and then.

They also do well in agility competitions, so you can try entering your dog into the competition if you want.

These dogs are very intelligent and love to learn new tricks, so it’s important to take them to dog training classes. These classes will also help stop any bad habits before they start.

If you’re not interested in taking your dog out for errands, then you should at least bring them along on walks. As long as they get plenty of exercise, they will be happier and less destructive when left home alone.

Shetland Sheepdog Nutrition And Diet

The Shetland Sheepdog is a little bit different from other breeds. They are considered a semi-carnivore breed, so they do not eat a lot of dog food. Most owners opt for raw diets instead of dry kibble since it’s better for the digestive system.

If you decide to feed your dog raw or homemade food, you should look into feeding them glucosamine supplements as well. This supplement can help with their mobility and their joints.

The Shetland Sheepdog needs to eat a lot of high energy foods to keep them happy. They are very active dogs and need a lot of exercise, so you should feed them high energy foods like healthy dog treats and raw dog food.

Shetland Sheepdog Health Issues

Shetland Sheepdogs are a healthy breed that is not prone to many genetic health issues. This breed will typically live between 12-14 years, but some have been recorded to live past 20.

However, they can be affected by the following:

Skin Allergies: The Sheltie’s double coat requires a lot of upkeep, as it is prone to tangles and mats. Shetland Sheepdog owners should brush their dog at least once a week or more depending on how fast the coat grows. If a dog regularly wears its coat long, it will be more prone to tangles and mats.

Gastric Tortion: The Shetland Sheepdog is sometimes prone to gastric tortion.

Collie eye anomaly: This breed can be affected by a condition which causes vision problems in their eyes. It can also result in blindness if not treated immediately.

Shetland Sheepdogs are generally healthy dogs, but the above conditions are common in the breed.

Shetland Sheepdog Lifespan

The Shetland Sheepdog generally lives between 12-14 years, depending on how well cared for the dog is.

Shetland Sheepdogs were first listed in the AKC Stud Book in 1911. The breed has a widespread popularity and has been recognized by several other national kennel clubs, including the United Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club.