Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) – Breed Profile, History, Care & Training

In This Article

• Characteristics
• Breed History
• Training and Care
• Health Problems
• Diet and Nutrition
• Where to Adopt or Buy
• Further Research

Hailing from Scotland’s remote Shetland Islands, the Shetland sheepdog is a small, active, and incredibly obedient and agile herding dog. Also known as the “sheltie,” these dogs look strikingly similar to their larger cousins, the collie. Despite its smaller stature, the Shetland sheepdog is a hardy breed that has adapted over time to thrive within the harsh conditions of its native islands.

The Shetland sheepdog is an extremely intelligent, energetic breed that’s easy to train, which is why they are world-class competitors in agility, herding, and obedience. Their loyal, intuitive nature means they also excel as therapy dogs. Because of their playful, affectionate nature—and tendency to be wary of strangers—this breed makes an excellent family watchdog. While the sheltie still excels at herding, today this vocal breed is more often seen as a farm dog and family pet or companion dog, thanks to both its beauty and kindness.

Breed Overview

• Group: Herding Group
• Weight: 15 to 25 pounds
• Height 13 to 16 inches
• Coat and Color: Straight and harsh with a dense undercoat; black, sable, and blue merle, with white markings
• Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years

Characteristics of the Shetland Sheepdog

Affection Level High Friendliness Medium Kid-Friendly High Pet-Friendly High Exercise Needs Medium Playfulness High Energy Level High Trainability High Intelligence High Tendency to Bark High Amount of Shedding High

History of the Shetland Sheepdog

Though these dogs may remind you of the famous TV collie, Lassie, the Shetland sheepdog is not actually a direct descendant of the collie, unlike some other miniature breeds that resemble their larger relatives. Instead, the sheltie is actually more closely related to the Scottish collie and the Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

Originally a small, mixed-breed dog, the original Shetland herding dogs are considered to be spitz-type dogs, similar to the modern Icelandic sheepdog. These dogs had a purpose: to become adept at herding and protecting livestock. They are thought to have been crossed with collies from mainland Britain that were brought to the islands, and then later extensively crossed with the rough-coat collie and other breeds, including the now-extinct Greenland yakki, the Pomeranian, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, and the border collie. Today’s Shetland sheepdog maintains traits from all of these dogs, such as the collie’s thick coat.

During the early 20th century, James Loggie added the smaller rough-coat collie to the breeding stock, which helped lay the groundwork for what would eventually become the Shetland sheepdog of today. In 1909, the initial recognition of the sheltie was made by the English Kennel Club; the first registered Shetland sheepdog was a female named “Badenock Rose,” and the first sheltie to be registered by the American Kennel Club was "Lord Scott" two years later.

When the breed was originally introduced, they were known by breeders as Shetland collies, but the name was later changed to Shetland sheepdog. During the early 20th century (up until around the 1940s), additional crosses were made to help retain the more desirable characteristics of the rough-coat collie.

Shetland Sheepdog Care

The Shetland sheepdog has a double coat that sheds quite a bit and requires routine maintenance. The outer coat consists of long hair that’s harsh to the touch, while the undercoat is shorter, softer, and dense, so owners must be prepared to brush the Shetland sheepdog’s coat at least weekly, paying special attention to mats behind the ears, under the elbows on each front leg, and under the tail. You can mist the coat lightly with water before brushing to help and work out any mats before they get worse. Shelties require occasional baths and regular nail trimming.

An athletic, active breed, the sheltie requires at least a moderate amount of daily exercise. Because of their adaptable nature, they will easily assimilate into your family’s way of life—even families who live in more urban environments—and will always enjoy outings with their owners.

Early socialization and training classes should begin in puppyhood. Because they are so intelligent and eager to please, the sheltie is easy to train and can excel in everything from basic obedience to agility sports; however, this intuitive, adaptable breed is also very sensitive to the tone of your voice, so they need owners who can be calm but firm, and who can act as confident and consistent pack leaders in the home.

One of the more vocal breeds, owners should be prepared to teach the Shetland sheepdog when barking is and is not appropriate. Because it’s a herding breed, shelties like to chase moving things—including cars—so they ideally need a fenced yard and leashed walks for their safety. They can become especially suspicious with strangers, even children, and without proper training and socialization, may resort to noisy, persistent barking.

Common Health Problems

Though they are generally healthy dogs, Shetland sheepdogs have been associated with conditions such as:

• Hip dysplasia: A condition in which the hip sockets form abnormally.
• Thyroid disease: Shetland sheepdogs are prone to hypothyroidism (an underproduction of thyroid hormone).
• von Willebrand’s disease (vWD): An inherited bleeding disorder.
• Dermatomyositis: An inherited disorder that can cause skin lesions and in severe cases, impact the muscles.

Like the rough-coat collie, there is a tendency for these dogs to have inherited malformations and diseases of the eyes. Shetland Sheepdogs may also have a heightened risk of developing transitional cell carcinoma, a cancer of the bladder.

Diet and Nutrition

The Shetland sheepdog can thrive on either commercially prepared or home-prepared (with veterinary supervision) high-quality dog food. The breed can also be prone to becoming overweight, so calorie consumption and weight should always be closely monitored by a veterinarian. It’s also important that these dogs have access to clean, fresh water at all times.

10 of the Smartest Dog Breeds Pros

• Intelligent and easy to train

• A good watchdog without being aggressive

• Friendly temperament that makes for a lovely companion, including for children

Cons

• Often chases things, including cars

• Predisposition toward eye disease and malformation

• Needs more companionship than other breeds

Where to Adopt or Buy a Shetland Sheepdog

Check with a local animal shelter or rescue group to see if there's a Shetland sheepdog near you in need of a home. Sheltie Nation provides a list of state Shetland sheepdog rescue groups on its website. If you're interested in speaking to a breeder, the American Shetland Sheepdog Association provides a reputable breeder locator.

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you’re interested in similar dog breeds, consider these dogs:

• Border Collie
• Pomeranian
• Australian Shepherd
• Old English Sheepdog
• Icelandic Sheepdog

There’s a whole world of dog breeds out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!