Pastoral group · Scotland (Shetland Islands)
Shetland Sheepdog
Also called Sheltie, Shetland Collie.
What makes them remarkable
A small herder for small islands: the Sheltie developed around Shetland’s limited grazing and smaller livestock.
- Intelligent
- Eager
- Playful
- Energetic
- Affectionate
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 7 to 11 kg15 to 25 lb
- Lives
- 12 to 14 years
- Energy
- High
- Trains
- Very High
- Barks
- High
Training
Training a Shetland Sheepdog
Pastoral breeds. Give the brain a job or it will find one. Chasing, nipping and fixating are the breed doing its work.
Sensitive Nature
Start here
Very sensitive to tone of voice, gentle, positive methods work best.
Eager to Please
One of the most trainable breeds, excels in obedience and agility.
Barking Control
Vocal breed, teach "quiet" command early and consistently.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Shetland Sheepdog and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, one step at a time.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to herd and guard livestock. Watchful, responsive, and wired to control movement.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsHigh
- StrangersModerate
- CatsHigh
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 1-1.5 hours daily. Active play, agility training, and mental games.
- Grooming
- Heavy shedding. Daily brushing during shedding, weekly otherwise.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Double coat, Long outer coat, Dense undercoatSable & White, Tricolour, Blue Merle, Black & White
- In a flat
- Can work, with enough exercise outside it.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Collie Eye Anomaly
Moderate
Inherited eye condition affecting vision
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Joint abnormality despite small size
Dermatomyositis
Moderate
Skin and muscle inflammatory disease
Where they come from
History
Developed in the Shetland Islands of Scotland from Rough Collies and Scandinavian herding dogs. Bred small to suit the islands' limited grazing areas and smaller livestock.
- Lassie Lookalikes · Often mistaken for miniature Rough Collies in media
Similar breeds
All breeds
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Pyrenean Shepherd
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Border Collie
Its name marks its birthplace: the sheep country along the border between Scotland and England.
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Cardigan Welsh Corgi
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