Shetland sheepdog

shetland sheepdog
  • Life expectancy

    12 - 14 years

  • Weight

    Male 7 - 10 kg

    Female 7 - 10 kg

  • Height

    Male 7 - 10 kg

    Female 7 - 10 kg

  • Hair

    long

  • Group

    Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)

  • Nicknames

    Sheltie,Shetland Sheepdog,Perro pastor de Shetland,Mini Collie,Pastor de las islas Shetland

The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the Sheltie, is a small, agile breed of dog that originated in the Shetland Islands, off the northeast coast of Scotland. They are working dogs, originally bred to herd sheep in the harsh climatic conditions of the islands.

Shelties have long, dense fur that protects them from cold and humidity. Its colors range from sable, tricolor and merle blue. They are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and loving personality, making them popular pets and companion dogs.

As working dogs, Shelties are also very athletic and need an adequate amount of daily exercise. Additionally, they are very obedient dogs and respond well to obedience and agility training. In short, Shetland Sheepdogs are a charming and versatile breed of dog that is ideal for both family life and work in the countryside.

Characteristics of the Shetland sheepdog

  • SIZE

  • EXERCISE NEEDS

  • EASY TO TRAIN

  • GOOD WITH CHILDREN

  • KINDNESS TO OTHER PETS

  • HEALTH OF THE BREED

  • COST TO KEEP

  • INTELLIGENCE

  • TOLERANCE TO BEING ALONE

Why choose a Shetland sheepdog?

PROS

  • They are very affectionate and loyal by nature.

  • They are a good choice for first-time dog owners.

  • They are very intelligent dogs and easy to train. They are known for their ability to learn quickly and respond well to obedience and agility training.

  • They love human company.

  • They are very energetic and athletic dogs that enjoy exercise and physical activity. They are ideal for active families and people who enjoy outdoor activities.

CONS

  • Shetland Sheepdogs shed a lot throughout the year.

  • They are not suitable for families with small children.

  • They distrust strangers and people they don't know.

  • They may suffer from separation anxiety

  • They are very vocal dogs and may bark and whine frequently.

  • As herding dogs, Shelties can have a strong inclination toward herding and chasing small animals, which can be a problem if you have other pets like cats or rabbits.

Shetland sheepdog puppies for sale

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Origin and history of the Shetland sheepdog

The story of the Shetland Sheepdog begins in the remote Shetland Islands, located north of Scotland. For centuries, the inhabitants of these islands relied heavily on raising sheep and goats for their subsistence, and needed reliable and hardy dogs to help them herd.

It is believed that the ancestors of the Shetland Sheepdog were brought to the islands by the Vikings in the 9th century, and that they were crossed with other local sheepdogs to produce a hardy breed adaptable to the inhospitable climate of the islands.

Over the centuries, the Shetland Sheepdog remained a relatively isolated breed, working closely with local farmers and developing characteristics specific to its herding work, such as agility, intelligence and the ability to work for long periods of time. distances.

In the mid-19th century, the breed began to gain popularity outside the Shetland Islands, and was exported to England, where it was bred and developed as a show breed. In 1909, the British Kennel Club officially recognized the breed as the Shetland Sheepdog.

Today, the Shetland Sheepdog is a popular breed throughout the world, both as companion dogs and as working dogs in sheep farming and other herding activities.

Shetland sheepdog breeders

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Character ofthe Shetland sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog is a breed of dog known for its intelligence, loyalty, and loving personality. They are very affectionate and sociable dogs, and enjoy the company of their owners and other dogs. They form such strong bonds with an owner that they may suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long.

They are also very energetic and athletic dogs, they love nothing more than being out and about with their owner, and they need an adequate amount of daily exercise to stay healthy and happy. Despite their small size, they are very agile and can perform a variety of physical activities, such as running, jumping, and agility.

Temperament-wise, Shelties are generally friendly and trusting, although they can also be a little reserved with strangers at first. They are very intelligent dogs and respond well to obedience and agility training. However, they can also be stubborn and stubborn at times, so it is important to set clear and consistent boundaries from a young age.

They like the sound of their own voices, and because they are always very alert, Shelties like to let their owner know when strangers are around.

In short, the Shetland Sheepdog is a charming and versatile breed of dog that is ideal for both family life and work in the countryside. They are loyal, affectionate and energetic dogs that need a lot of love, attention and exercise to be happy.

Curiosities about the Shetland sheepdog

  • They were not always called that, first they were called Shetland collies but fans of the breed were not very satisfied and ended up changing the name.

  • Despite their small size, Shelties are known for being very effective herding dogs. They are often called "the big little breed" because of their ability to handle sheep and other larger animals.

  • They have a double coat of hair that is thick and shaggy, which protects them from cold and humidity.

  • They are a very vocal breed and may bark and whine frequently. Although this can be a bit annoying at times, it is important to remember that Shelties were bred as herding dogs, and their vocalization is often a form of communication with their owner or other animals.

Names for Shetland sheepdog

Loki, Mika, Azkar, Maite

The Shetland sheepdog of our breeders

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