Shetland Sheepdog - Smart, Sweet & Pretty!
 History and Description:The Shetland Sheepdog or Sheltie as he is most often called, was originally called the Shetland Collie and takes his name from the Shetland Islands, off the north coast of Scotland. These islands are known for their miniature animals, both ponies and sheep. It is speculated that the Sheltie was developed as a much smaller, look-alike to the Collie, though it is a separate breed. The Shetland Islands were know for their miniature animals - these may have also included smaller collie dogs. The Sheltie was brought to England at the end of the 19th century where it continues to be a very popular dog.
As a herding dog, the Shetland Sheepdog is considered one of the smartest. He is totally enthusiastic about his work and does an excellent job of herding both cattle and sheep.
The Sheltie is sturdy small dog, well-balanced and very symmetrical in appearance. He has a full rich looking coat. His expression is one of the most gentle and sweetest of any breed.
Physical Features:Height: 13-16 inches Weight: There is no precise weight standard. Some authorities cite 14-16 pounds, while others indicate a range of 12-18 pounds.
Coat colors: Colors are seen in sable, blue merle, tricolor, black/white, and black/tan. The degree of white varies individually.
Coat and Care:The Sheltie has a long double coat comprising a rough outer coat which sits atop a soft woolly undercoat. The rough coat is water resistant and the undercoat provides good insulation for protection in both hot and cool climates. The coat needs to be brushed thoroughly about twice a week depending on the level of outdoor involvement with the terrain. Look for mats around the ears and behind the legs.
Spring and Fall are the normal shedding seasons when more frequent grooming is needed. The FURminator deShedding Tool is an excellent year-round grooming aid for removing dead and loose hair.
Personality and Traits:The Shetland Sheepdog has a personality that is both gentle and intensely loyal. He makes a well-mannered adorable family companion and is well-regarded for his intelligence willingness to be trained. The Sheltie, while being very affectionate and devoted to owners, he is reserved around strangers. For this reason, it is recommended that this dog breed be highly socialized from an early age, being exposed to a wide variety of situations, sounds, other pets and people.
Shelties have a bit of a reputation as barkers which is not surprising for a herding dog. But another reason is that they are shy dog and barking is a protective instinct. However, given their extremely high intelligence, a sensitive and experienced owner can work wonders to train them as a watchdog where they can use this natural behavior in a limited way. Competitive dog sports such as agility and obedience are good outlets for the mental and physical abilities of this breed, but they are also adaptable to an owners lifestyle. It is however, a joyful pleasure for a Sheltie to have a opportunity to run free on occasion. They love to play and like games that are more challenging. Training needs to be gentle, yet firm. In general, Sheltland Sheepdogs do not have many health problems, except for some inherited tendency toward diseases of the eye, for which they should be tested.
Sheltie Toy Suggestions: 
Activity Level:The Shetland Sheepdog is very agile with lots of energy and stamina, though there are some who are more sedentary. As previously mentioned, agility training, flyball, or herding are great activities for this breed, as well as ones in which they can excel.
Space Needs:The Sheltie can adapt to any accommodation or settings. Rural or suburban will work, although a yard is always nice to have for a breath of air or a little playtime. A yard also provides a good place for training.
Children : Shelties have a very good reputation as playmates for children, though they do best if they are raised with them. Caution should be taken if an owner is considering bringing an older Sheltie into a family with children, particularly young children.
No matter what age a child may be, the best policy is to always have an adult closely supervise activities between pets and children.
Elderly:The Shetland Sheepdog can be a very devoted companion to the elderly. However, a dog does need to get some exercise. Providing this need can be met, he will be a joy to have around.
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