Shetland Sheepdog
A small herding dog from Shetland, where hard ground and small stock favoured a small dog. Sharp, sensitive, and it announces every change in the house.
Photo by Shames Privacy, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Shetland Sheepdog is not a miniature Collie, though it looks like one. It was developed on Shetland from small working dogs and Border Collie stock, and it herded sheep and ponies on hard poor ground where a large dog would have been an expensive thing to feed.
It is among the most trainable breeds there is and it is consistently near the top of working intelligence rankings.
Temperament
Bright, sensitive and highly responsive. Shelties are affectionate with their families, reserved to timid with strangers, and they are outstanding at training.
The barking is the defining practical trait. Shelties are among the most vocal breeds and it takes real work to manage. They are also noise sensitive and can be nervy, and early socialisation matters a great deal. The herding instinct shows as circling and nipping at heels.
Care and grooming
A long double coat that needs brushing two or three times a week and daily during the two heavy moults. The undercoat mats behind the ears and under the legs.
The MDR1 drug sensitivity variant occurs in this breed and it matters practically. Collie eye anomaly, progressive retinal atrophy and von Willebrand's disease all have DNA tests, and dermatomyositis occurs.
Living and exercise
An hour to ninety minutes a day plus mental work. They excel at agility, obedience and herding.
The barking is worth planning for in close housing and it is the commonest complaint about the breed. Given work and training they are among the most rewarding dogs to own. Twelve to fourteen years.
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