In the Scottish Shetland Islands, farmers kept hungry birds and sheep away from their gardens with Shetland Sheepdog dogs and served as herding dogs. The breed is now regarded as an excellent family companion and superstar in dog sports.
The breed is affectionately known as Shelties by fans.
A dog of this breed is intelligent and eager to please, making it a good candidate for training. They’re affectionate with almost everyone, but they’re also very protective of their families. You’ll have a loving furry family member if you keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated with training and exercise.
Famous Shelties
The Adventures of Ragtime (1998)
13 going on 30 (2004)
Mickey from “Mickey’s Farm” (CAN) (2009-2013)
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History
The Shetland Sheepdog originated on the rugged Shetland Islands, situated between Scotland and Norway, about 50 miles north of Scotland and some distance south of the Arctic Circle. Shetland Ponies and Shetland Sheep also live on these islands.
Shetland Sheepdogs were traditionally called Toonies, from the Norwegian word for farm. Shetland sheep were herded and protected by these dogs, bred from the Border Collie with smaller dogs. There is a theory that Shetland Sheepdogs guarded small sheep against birds. Shelties today tend to be fixated on chasing birds, and some even attempt to track airplanes and helicopters.
Shelties were introduced to England and Scotland in the early 1800s, where they were described as miniature Collie breeds. To sell their tiny Shelties to visitors to the Shetland Islands, the farmers began breeding them to be smaller and fluffier. The native sheepdogs were reportedly crossed with Prince Charles Spaniel and some Pomeranian dogs left on the island by tourists.
Islanders realized that the original breed of dog was disappearing by the end of the 19th century due to crossbreeding. Nevertheless, there were many disagreements about how to restore the actual dog’s appearance. To regain the original type, some breeders believe they must crossbreed with Collies, while others think they should breed only the existing Shelties closest to the original style.
Before World War I, Shelties of all three types were shown in dog shows. The Kennel Club of England recognized the breed in 1909. About 28 Shelties registered as Shetland Collies (rough) that year. Two males and two females still appear in the pedigrees of many modern champions Shelties. AKC registered the first Sheltie in 1911.
A protest was lodged with the Kennel Club by English collie breeders regarding the breed’s name. Due to this, the breed’s name was changed to Shetland Sheepdog.
For many years, rumours of crossbreeding and disagreements about the breed’s appearance sparked controversy in Great Britain and the United States. Due to the different viewpoints, many Shetland Sheepdog clubs were formed. Following a meeting of the Scottish and English Clubs, the dog was said to resemble “a collie (rough) in miniature.”
Until the 1950s, U.S. breeders imported Shelties from England, but by then, the type and size of American and British Shelties had significantly diverged. Most Shetland Sheepdogs in the United States today are derived from breeds imported from England during World War I and II.
The number of Shelties in the United States increased as the breed became more well-known. Shelties were among the top ten most popular dogs of the American Kennel Club for 12 consecutive years during the 1970s and 1980s, peaking in the early 1990s.
Ironically, the Sheltie breed is rare in the Shetland Islands – the Border Collie breed has taken the top spot.
Traits
On Scottish farms, the Shetland Sheepdog (nicknamed the Sheltie) was once a farmer’s best friend. He would bark at birds to keep them out of the garden, and later, with crossbreeding to Scottish herding dogs, he kept sheep flocks in line. In spite of looking like a smaller version of the Rough Collie, they are different breeds.
They can be reserved around strangers but are loving companions for all family members. When they detect something amiss in their territory, they bark immediately. For this trait not to become a nuisance, it is essential to train this behaviour. On the flip side, they are excellent watchdogs. It’s just a matter of teaching them when it’s appropriate to be vocal.
Anyone who owns a Sheltie will tell you how smart their pet is. According to animal intelligence expert Dr. Stanley Coren, that’s more than just pride of ownership. Studying 132 different breeds of dogs, he found that Shelties ranked sixth in intelligence as they could understand new commands after being given them fewer than five times on average, and they obeyed orders 95 percent of the time.
It is no surprise that Shelties excel at performance events since they are intelligent, willing to please, and athletic. Shelties typically dominate the field in agility among their size group. Their agility, flyball, tracking, and herding skills are also exceptional.
Some people believe that Shelties are too bright for their own good. Breeds like this need jobs. Shelties quickly become bored when they are not given lots of mental stimulation, and they will invent their entertainment.
Herding instincts remain strong in Shelties. You’ll notice that your Sheltie will enthusiastically chase squirrels, rabbits, and children, barking and nipping at them. Children, especially, should be discouraged from engaging in this behaviour since it can lead to biting. It’s advised that you never let your Sheltie herd unless it’s in a herding class with ducks or sheep as appropriate subjects.
If walked daily, shelties can live in apartments if they are not recreational barkers. They need a fenced yard to play safely to avoid “herding” animals, people, or cars.
There is a lot of fur on Shelties’ coats, and they shed heavily. Every year, many Shelties are given up to rescue groups due to shedding due to people not realizing how much loose fur they’ll have to endure. Make sure your vacuum cleaner and you are capable of handling that amount of hair.
In the absence of their people, shelties can be a good choice for a working individual since they are contented to stay home alone. They thrive when they are provided with companionship, playtime, training, and quiet pats. They will return your love tenfold.
Health
This breed is typically healthy, but like all breeds, they may experience specific health conditions. Not every dog of this breed will get these diseases, but it’s essential to be aware of them. Some common health problems include:
Regardless of how healthy your dog is, a pet’s health insurance plan can help you stay prepared for any of your dog’s medical needs.