Shetland Sheepdog Breed Introduction
The Shetland Sheepdog breed is
to the Rough Collie as the
Shetland Pony is the larger type
of horses. However, it is not a
miniature Rough Collie and bears
no relation to it.
The Shetland Sheepdog's
Behavior
Source: Wikipedia.
Recommended for: pet, working
dog
The Shetland Sheepdog dog
breed is lively, intelligent, and
eager to please. These traits
make Shetland Sheepdogs an
outstanding family companion and
easy to train. They are
affectionate and loyal to their
families but they are aloof with
strangers and will not like it if
they are approached without being
socialized first. They make great
companions for children growing
up. But children should be taught
to take care with them because of
the dogs' vulnerability due to their small
size. Herding instincts are
strong with them and they love to
chase things. They can easily
match their owners' own level of
activity.
Remember that breed only
provides a general clue as to any
individual dog's actual behavior.
Make sure to get to know dogs
well before bringing them into
your home.
The Shetland Sheepdog's
Physical Characteristics
Here are some of the
characteristics of the Shetland
Sheepdog breed as determined by
the American Kennel Club's
published breed standard.
- Size: 13 - 16 inches
- Coat: doublecoated; outer
coat: long, straight,
harsh; undercoat: short,
furry, dense
- Color: black, blue merle,
sable
- Eyes: mid-size, dark,
almond-shaped
- Ears: small, flexible,
set high
- Muzzle: well-rounded,
equal length to skull
- Nose: black
- Tail: long
The Shetland Sheepdog's
Origins and History
Source: Wikipedia.
Country/Region of Origin:
Scotland
Original purpose: herding
sheep
Name: derived from the
Shetland Islands where it was
developed, also known as the
Sheltie
Historical notes: Whereas
other small replicas of bigger
breeds were bred by selecting
smaller members, Shetland
Sheepdogs were the result of the
mingling of Border Collies with
other herding dogs over the
centuries. The breed was first
recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1911.