Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog is the perfect Rough Collie in miniature, a handy size for the owner who feels, perhaps, that the Rough Collie is too large for his home.

The Sheltie is a good family dog. A little wary of strangers, it does not take kindly to being petted by those it does not know. It is faithful, supremely inte:ligent and generally gives a good account of itself at training classes and in obedience competitions. It is good with horses, and a few are still used as sheepdogs

Origin and history

The Sheltie originated in the Shetland Islands off the north coast of Scotland, an area also famous for its tiny Shetland ponies, which, like the Shetland Sheepdog, have been bred with thick coats to protect them against the harsh climate.

The breed has bred true for some 125 years, but controversy at one time existed as to the aims and requirements for which the breed was intended. The ideals of the club formed at Lerwick in 1908 conflicted with the desires of the Shetland Collie Club, whose desire was simply to produce a collie in miniature. Both groups were similarly named. Luckily, agreement was reached in 1914 when the English Shetland Sheepdog Club was formed, and the Sheltie received separate classification by the Kennel Club. Today the breed's popularity is universal.

The first challenge certificate was awarded to the breed in the United Kingdom in 1915. The first specialty for Shelties in the United States was held in 1933.

Shetland Sheepdog Puppies

Good points

• Beautiful
• Intelligent
• Faithful
• Ideal for competitive obedience . Intuitive

Take heed

• May be wary of strangers

Size

Ideal height measured at the withers 14in (35.5cm) for a bitch, 14V2in (37cm) for a dog; anything more than 1in (2.5cm) above these heights is considered a serious fault.

Exercise

Provided the Sheltie has a largish garden in which to expend its energy and receives regular daily walks, it will be happy.

Shetland Sheepdog Information

General appearance
The Shetland Sheepdog should instantl} appeal as a dog of great beauty, intelligence and alertness. Action is lithe and graceful with speed and jumping power great for its size. Thl outline should be symmetrical so that no part appears out of proportion to the whole. An abundance of coat, mane and frill, with shapliness of head and sweetness of expression, all combine to present the ideal Shetland Sheepdog.

Colour
Tricolours should be an intense black on the body with no signs of ticking, rich tan markings on a tricolour to be preferred. Sables may be clear or shaded, any colour from gold to deep mahogany but in its shade the colour should be rich in tones. Wol sable and grey colours are undesirable. In blue merles, a clear silvery blue is desired, splashed and marbled with black.. Rich tan markings are preferred, but their absence is not to be counted as a fault. Heavy black markings and a slate-coloured or rusty tinge in either top-coat or under-coat are highly undesirable. The general effect should be blue. White markings may be shown in the blaze, collar, chest frill, legs, stifle and tip of tail. All or some tan markings may be shown on ­eyebrows, cheeks, legs, stifles and under tail. The nose must be blad whatever the colour of the dog might be.

Head and skull
The head shoulc be refined, and its shape when viewed from the top or side is a long blunt wedge tapering from ec to nose. The width of skull necessarily depends upon the combined length of skull and muzzle, and the whole must be considered in connection with the size of the dog.

Tail
Set on low, tapering bone must reach at least to the hock joint, with abundant hair and sligh' upward sweep.

Feet
Oval; soles well padded; toes arched and close together.

Shetland Sheepdog Feeding & Grooming

Grooming

Not so difficult to keep spick and span as might be believed. Brush regularly with a stiff-bristled brush and use a comb to avoid tangles, particularly behind the ears.

Frequent bathing is unnecessary but is advisable when the bitch loses her winter coat. The Sheltie is meticulous about its appearance and you will often find this breed cleaning itself.

Feeding

Thirteen-200z (369-587g) of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added in equal part by volume, or 13/4-3 cupfuls of a dry food, complete diet, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to 1/2 cup of hot or cold water.

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