The Shetland sheepdog, mostly known as the sheltie, is a small herding dog that originates from the Shetland Islands of Scotland. This herding dog breed appears very similar to rough collies. The easiest way to tell the difference is by looking at their size.
The sheltie has a lovey-dovey nature that bonds strongly with their family. They are eager to please their owners and get along well with children and other pets. Shelties are athletic dogs and always top contenders in agility and obedience trials.
There is much more to discuss about these sweet-natured dogs. Our article will cover everything about shelties so you know if it’s an ideal dog breed for your lifestyle. Read on to learn about their temperament, size, family life, and grooming needs.
The chart below is a quick summary of the breed’s characteristics before we dive deep into more detail.
| Weight/Height | 15-25 pounds/13-16 inches |
| Coat Type | Double coat with long fur |
| Grooming Needs | |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Intelligent, playful, adaptable, alert, curious |
| Good With Kids | |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
Unlike what many first think, shelties don’t originate from rough collies selectively bred to be smaller in size. Although they appear very much alike, the sheltie is a distinct dog breed. The breed’s origins are from the small, spitz-type herding dogs native to the Shetland Islands.
The ancestors of the sheltie were crossed with the rough collie, King Charles spaniel, and the Pomeranian. The purpose of this was to create a herding dog smaller in size capable of managing small livestock.
The sheltie was first introduced to breeders in the late 1800s as the Shetland collie. This name was thought to be confusing and inappropriate by rough collie breeders, resulting in changing the name to Shetland sheepdog.
The English Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1909. Not long after, the breed made its way to the US, and the first sheltie was registered to the AKC in 1911.
Shelties are small dogs that come in various colors. They have a merle or tri-color coat with white or tan markings. The coat colors described in the breed standards are black, sable, and blue merle. These colors can have varying amounts of white or tan markings, giving them tri-colored coats.
Aside from the coat, shelties have a wedge-shaped head with small triangular ears that are semi-erect. The body has a deep chest with a straight torso, giving the breed a similar appearance to the rough collie. However, shelties are smaller dogs with shorter legs positioned in front of the withers.
The sheltie is a small dog breed weighing between 15 and 25 pounds. They stand 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder, but their tiny legs with long fur on the chest often make them appear shorter. Due to their short legs and where they originate, many also refer to the sheltie as the dwarf Scotch.
Shelties have a double coat with a soft, thick undercoat that insulates them from cold weather and helps regulate body temperature. The outer hair is straight and appears silky. While this coat type and length make them appear majestic, shelties need regular brushing and grooming to maintain their appearance.
The temperament of shelties makes them ideal household pets for individuals and families with varying preferences. They are very affectionate dogs that can cuddle up with their owners the whole day. Yet, they are always up for play.
This affectionate nature, coupled with their playful personality, make them excellent pets for families with active children. However, supervision is essential to preventing accidental injuries in both dogs and children.
The sheltie handles change well as long as their humans are around. Moving to a new house, taking trips, and meeting new family members are tolerable for shelties. This adaptability complements their eagerness to please. They can learn new things quickly in different environments and are a common breed spotted in Obedience Trials.
These are excellent traits to have in a small dog for many people. However, they tend to be vocal dogs that express themselves with their voice. They are also wary of strangers.
Although these make them good watchdogs, early training to teach a sheltie not to bark when told is critical, especially for those living in apartments.
Shelties are generally good with children of all ages. They bond strongly with all members of their family and love playing with children. Shelties match the best with active, playful children. Although a sheltie is far more likely to outlast an energetic child, it’s an excellent trait to have in a small dog for families looking for a play buddy for their kids.
Additionally, shelties have strong herding instincts and may try to “herd” young children. As with any other breed, shelties and kids must play under supervision. Children should also be taught to respect the dog’s boundaries.
Shelties are friendly towards other dogs and cats. They will fit right into your existing pet’s life and happily welcome a new furry family member. However, this friendly personality doesn’t apply to small animals, like hamsters and Guinea pigs.
Shelties don’t have a high prey drive and aren’t prone to chasing wild animals, but they may try to herd small animals. They aren’t likely to display aggression, but shelties may run around small animals and bark in an attempt to herd, which may be stressful for your smaller furry friends.
Shelties are good-natured dogs that typically don’t have aggressive tendencies. They are sweet and affectionate dogs that are well-behaved. While they will happily meet new dogs, they tend to be aloof around strangers. It takes a while for them to get comfortable with new people.
Nevertheless, shelties aren’t known to be aggressive dogs. Unless heavily provoked or not adequately socialized, they rarely growl or snap at others.
Shelties are vocal dogs. They often express themselves by barking, which can be both good and bad. This trait makes them excellent watchdogs that will alert you to anything out of the ordinary. At the same time, it makes apartment living difficult and may bring noise complaints from neighbors.
Although it may take time to reduce barking behavior in naturally vocal dogs, it isn’t impossible. With their high intelligence and eagerness to please, shelties can learn not to bark in most situations quicker than many other breeds.
Shelties are very affectionate dogs that thrive on human companionship. They are such cuddle bugs that love snuggling up with their favorite human for hours. However, they don’t warm up to strangers quickly. New people should let a sheltie approach them first rather than going all in for pets.
The affectionate nature of shelties also means they are sensitive dogs prone to separation anxiety. They won’t take being left alone for extended periods lightly. If a sheltie is left home alone for excessive amounts of time, they are sure to engage in destructive behavior.
The sheltie is an incredibly intelligent dog breed with a curious and alert personality. They are considered the smartest small dog breed in the world, ranking 6th in Stanley Corey’s 1994 book on dog intelligence.
While intelligence doesn’t always mean trainability, shelties understand and execute new commands pretty quickly – a part of the reason why they are a common breed in dog sports.
Since shelties are intelligent dogs, they will need to be kept busy to stay happy. They can easily get bored if the tasks given are repetitive. Due to their herding lineage, shelties thrive when given a job to do. It’s highly recommended to involve shelties in dog sports or advanced training to keep them mentally stimulated.
Shelties are high-energy dogs that require plenty of exercise. An insufficiently exercised sheltie is bound to engage in unwanted acts. Daily walks of at least an hour are essential to keep shelties active. They are perfect for agility training and often achieve top spots in competitions.
While daily walks and playtime are essential, it isn’t only physical exercises that make the sheltie tired. On bad weather days, you can utilize various indoor games that will keep them going, such as playing hide and seek, puzzle toys, and scent work. At times, these can be even quicker to tire a sheltie than an hour-long walk.
The intelligent nature of the sheltie makes them one of the easiest dog breeds to train. They naturally want to please their owners. Even novice trainers won’t have problems teaching a sheltie basic tricks. This trainability makes basic obedience training and establishing house manners manageable early on.
With dogs as smart and trainable as the sheltie, it’s best to go beyond complex tricks and introduce them to dog sports. Doing this will give them a sense of purpose and suit their hard-working personality. Whether it’s agility competitions or obedience trials, a sheltie has the potential to become one of the top contestants.
So far, we’ve discussed that shelties are vocal dogs and wary of strangers. These traits make them the perfect watchdog. If anything is moving in their space that shouldn’t, shelties will alert you by barking at it.
Shelties surely bark, but it doesn’t qualify them for guarding duties. They are small dogs that don’t have protective instincts. They were bred to be herding dogs that gather and control flocks of sheep. Shelties aren’t livestock guardians and won’t attack an intruder, but they will bark to let their pack know of anything strange.
Shelties are highly trainable and can work as service dogs. As long as the task is appropriate for their size, they will excel at it. Commonly, shelties work as medical alert dogs and autism assistance dogs.
The affectionate nature of these dogs also makes them an ideal choice for ESA. They are sensitive towards their humans and will come near you to snuggle when needed. Even though shelties are typically aloof around strangers, they can also be trained for therapy work.
Every dog has care needs. Some require more time and attention from their owners than others. The sheltie can be considered a high-maintenance breed. They need regular grooming, plenty of physical exercise, and mental stimulation.
These basic needs of the sheltie demand a bit more than the average dog. However, when provided enough time and attention, shelties will give back by becoming your trusted furry friend.
Shelties need regular grooming to keep a healthy coat. These dogs have a thick undercoat that requires regular brushing to remove dead hair and prevent matting. Brushing once every few days and daily in the spring and fall is essential to maintain their coat.
Also, shelties need haircuts every two months to keep their fur at a good length. Although you can learn how to do it yourself, giving haircuts to shelties takes more effort than poodles or golden retrievers. For this reason, most sheltie owners opt to take their sheltie to a professional groomer.
Aside from general grooming, shelties don’t need frequent baths. They should be bathed when they get dirty or develop an unpleasant smell. Also, shelties need their ears and eyes cleaned regularly, nails clipped, and dental care.
Shelties shed year-round moderately and a bit more during spring and fall. They aren’t hypoallergenic dogs; therefore, they aren’t an ideal choice of dog breed for people with allergies.
Shelties aren’t heavy-shedders and often shed in clumps that come off easily when brushed rather than individual hairs constantly falling off. This helps manage shedding as they won’t leave a trail of fur everywhere they walk.
The sheltie is a generally healthy dog breed, but like most breeds, they are more prone to certain canine diseases than others. The most common health problems occur in their eyes, and regular ophthalmologist evaluations are important for early treatment.
Other than these, the canine diseases shelties are prone to include:
Also, some shelties are born with the MDR1 (multi-drug resistance 1) gene mutation. This doesn’t affect their health significantly, but the dogs carrying this mutation are sensitive or allergic to certain drugs.
The list of drugs includes commonly used acepromazine, selamectin, and milbemycin. You can consult your vet for MDR1 testing for shelties, which only requires a simple cotton swab from the inner cheek.
Shelties have a typical life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. Environmental factors, genetics, diet, exercise, and many other things impact life expectancy, so this may vary.
Shelties – like every other dog – thrive on a balanced diet. They should eat high-quality dog food appropriate for their size and energy level. You can also vary their diet by adding vegetables, fruit, and meat.
Shelties are highly trainable dogs, and most are motivated by treats. During training sessions, make sure to be mindful about the amount of treats to avoid overfeeding.
The sheltie is a small yet highly energetic dog breed with an affectionate personality. They get along with other dogs and children of all ages. If you have active children (or want to keep them active), the sheltie is the perfect playmate. These make the sheltie a fitting dog breed for families with children.
This dog breed isn’t recommended for individuals living a busy life. They don’t do well without their owners and are prone to separation anxiety. Since shelties also have high exercise needs, they are more suited for people with an active lifestyle.
If you want a small, highly trainable dog that will tag along to your adventures, you will find the sheltie one of the most fitting dog breeds. They are certainly not couch potatoes and will engage in destructive behavior when not exercised enough.
As with any other dog breed, make sure to give everything discussed in this article a thorough look to determine if the sheltie is the right dog breed for your lifestyle. Consider factors such as size, energy level, trainability, shedding, and family life to make the best decision.