Little Pawz -- Shetland Sheepdog -- Sheltie -- Small Dogs -- Small Dog Breed Information -- Toy Dogs -- Miniature Dogs -- Dog Breeds

The Shetland Sheepdog is the perfect Rough Collie inm iniature, a handy size for the owner who feels, perhaps, that the Collie is too large for his or her home.

The Shetland Sheepdog, Sheltie, is a good family dog, but a little wary of strangers. It does not take kindly to being petted by those it does not know. It is faithful, supremely intelligent 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.

Size
Height: Dogs: 14 1/2 inches (37 cm); Bitches: 14 inches (35.5 cm) at the withers

Coat and Colour
The coat should be double, the outer coat consisting of long, straight, harsh hair; the undercoat short, furry, and so dense as to give the entire coat its ?stand-off? quality. The hair on face, tips of ears and feet should be smooth. Mane and frill should be abundant, and particularly impressive in males. The forelegs well feathered, the hind legs heavily so, but smooth below the hock joint. Hair on tail profuse. Note: Excess hair on ears, feet, and on hocks may be trimmed for the show ring. Colour black, blue merle, and sable (ranging from golden through mahogany); marked with varying amounts of white and/or tan.

Exercise
Provided the Shetland Sheepdog has a large yard in which to expend its energy, and receives regular daily walks, it will be happy.

Grooming
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 Shetland Sheepdog is meticulous about its appearance and will often clean itself.

Feeding
Recommended would be 1 1/2 cans (13.3 oz 376 g size) name-brand dog food, with a biscuit, or 3 cups dry dog food. Always provide an ample supply of fresh water for your Shetland Sheepdog.

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 140 years, but controversy at one time existed as to aims and requirements, the ideals of the club formed at Lerwick in 1908 conflicting 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.

Celebrity Owners
Former president Calvin Coolidge's Sheltie was named Calamity Jane.