This agile Sheepdog has a small body that is long in proportion to its height. Its gait is ground covering, smooth, effortless, and, imparts good speed, agility, and endurance necessary in a herding dog. Its double coat comprises a dense, soft, short undercoat that effectively keeps the Sheltie comfortable in both cold and warm environments, with a straight, long, harsh outer coat that repels rain and moisture. The mane, tail, and frill have abundant hair, with the mane growing to impressive sizes on the male Shelties especially.
Colors are various. The two main colorations are sable colored -- a mix of dark and light brown with white -- or blue merle, with gray, white and black. The Sheltie can be as small as 12 inches, and as tall as 16 inches, but in either case is considered to be a small dog. This breed enjoys human company, repaying kindness with loyalty and affection.
Not only is this dog playful, gentle, companionable, and amiable but it is also well-behaved with children, though it may sometimes nip at heels while playing if it has not been trained otherwise. Older Shelties may not be as comfortable with children if they have not been accustomed to them, and in these cases, the dog should be protected from active children in order to avoid unintentional defensive behaviors from the dog.
Often, the Sheltie is timid and reserved towards strangers, and it will let its voice be heard on this when need be. Although the tendency to bark a lot is considered by some to be a fault, it is this characteristic that makes the Sheltie an excellent watch dog. The Shetland Sheepdog is tremendously bright, sensitive, and always willing to please. These qualities make it a quick and obedient learner that has the added value of being dedicated and protective of its family. The Shetland Sheepdog can live outside in temperate climates but it does very well as a house dog.
Its thick double coat requires combing or brushing at least every other day, and a minimum weekly shampooing. This dog is very energetic, but regular routine that includes a short jog, a good long walk, or an active training and game session can meet its physical and mental exercise needs. If it is not given daily exercise, the Sheltie can become anxious and nervous. It is essential for this breed to spend its energy so that it can relax at home with its family at the end of the day. The Sheltie has a lifespan of 12 to 14 years and may be prone to minor concerns like patellar luxation , allergies, hypothyroidism, Legg-Perthes, canine hip dysplasia, hemophilia, trichiasis, cataract, Collie eye anomaly , and progressive retinal atrophy, or a major one like dermatomyositis.
Occasionally this breed may suffer from epilepsy , von Willebrand Disease, patent ductus arteriosus PDA , and deafness.
We often treat dogs as our children, but our dogs will never lead independent lives, get married, and raise their own families. A dog's purpose in life is companionship. In return, we take care of their needs and make the best decisions for them. I have laid out all the major considerations regarding your Sheltie's health. Purebred dogs come from a limited gene pool, which makes them more prone to hereditary health issues.
This is another reason why breeding Shelties should be left to the experts who take careful measures to avoid passing on defective genes. Shelties originating from backyard breeding or puppy farms are most likely to have genetic health issues, in addition to infectious and parasitic diseases. Some Shelties are also vulnerable to complications from certain drugs. This is caused by a mutation on the MDR1 gene which affects how drugs are broken down in the body. Obesity is also a common health problem in Shelties.
It's easy to overfeed such a small dog and not notice the weight gain under all the fur. Excess weight strains the heart and joints, and reduces their ability to exercise. Feel the sides of your Sheltie's chest under the fur. You should be able to feel a thin layer of fat, but any more than this means your Sheltie is overweight. For a detailed look at health issues in Shelties, including early symptoms, see Common Health Problems in Shelties.
Shelties are intelligent, sensitive dogs, making them highly responsive to positive reinforcement. This simply means praising all correct behaviors in the moment. Shelties learn quickly with simple, clear instruction. They can learn new commands in as little as five repetitions. As dogs go, you have an easy job teaching your Sheltie tricks and obedience, and eliminating unwanted behaviors by nipping them in the bud. In particular, clicker training works great on Shelties as they're so eager and quick to learn.
In time, you can do away with the clicks and they respond to commands automatically. Housebreaking a puppy can be one of the major challenges of dog ownership, particularly for first-time owners. It means teaching your Sheltie to pee and poop outdoors and not all over your prized living room rug. You'll need puppy training pads , some delicious dog treats for rewards, and carpet stain remover for the inevitable mistakes.
The most popular method starts with teaching your puppy to eliminate on puppy training pads inside. You'll need to keep a watchful eye and be ready to correct him or praise him every time he goes in the right place. Housebreaking always involves a few spills and messes, but you have to accept that from the outset when you bring home a baby animal.
By the time he's four months old, your puppy's bladder and bowels are large enough and strong enough to transfer the business outdoors. This can be a simple and very rewarding transition for both of you. Housebreaking begins the very first day you bring your puppy home, so be sure to do your research ahead of time. Like all dog breeds, Sheltie puppies should spend the first 8 weeks of life with their mom and the rest of the litter. This teaches them important socialization skills within their own species like how to share, how to play nice, and what actions are too rough.
If they don't learn these skills, they can develop lifelong behavioral problems with other dogs. The second stage of socialization comes from weeks, when puppies settle in with their new families and form strong attachments with humans. Start to socialize your puppy with people from the day you bring him home.
This is true for all dog breeds, but Shelties are especially sensitive, and failure to socialize when young can result in severe nervousness and anxiety. First give him positive play experiences with you and your immediate family. He may be nervous in the first few days so go slowly initially. After the first week, expand his social horizons to include more friends and family in multiple locations. Host gatherings at your home to get him used to lots of people at once.
And don't forget to invite noisy kids! Take your Sheltie to puppy classes and work on obedience training to build a stronger bond between you. These dedicated sessions can make a big difference. Once he's had his final vaccinations, he can go to lots of public places: walk around town, sit outside coffee shops, visit the dog park, go on a road trip, and meet all kinds of other animals.
Go all out during this phase. Expose him to every scenario he's going to encounter in his lifetime, so he can meet them all in confidence. Swimming is an excellent way to keep your Shetland Sheepdog fit, especially if she develops arthritis as she ages where running can hurt her joints.
Swimming is also a great positive experience to give her as a puppy so she doesn't have the stress of fearing water her whole life. Cue lots of fun beach days or trips to the lake!
Some Shelties love water, while others hate the wet stuff. It all comes down to their natural inclination for adventure and positive exposure when they are young.
Follow the steps laid out in e How to Teach Your Sheltie to Swim , which includes safety issues for smaller Shelties and gradual desensitization for water-fearing dogs. Many of our readers have multiple Shelties and absolutely love it.
Shelties are an addictive breed; once you discover their lovable nature it's hard to stop at one. If one Sheltie is a joy, then two is double the fun. Having two dogs of the same breed means they play together extremely well. They have the same energy levels, enjoy the same herding based games, and being matched in size they won't accidentally hurt each other when pouncing and scruffing together. What's more, as highly sensitive dogs, Shelties really don't like being left alone.
Having a companion dog to hang around with while you're out of the house is ideal. The only downside of having multiple Shelties is they can bark each other up. If one dog hears a cat screech in the distance, he'll bark and then other will bark automatically. Getting a handle on barking is essential when you have two or more Shelties! There are many rescue Shelties in need of forever homes.
They've already been through a lot in their lives, including abuse or neglect, and almost always abandonment by the families they thought would be with them forever. You can change their world. Find a Sheltie rescue near you and help rehabilitate a sensitive Sheltie dog so they can enjoy the life they deserve. Before you buy a Sheltie puppy, please consider adopting an adult Sheltie first.
Your new best friend may already be waiting at your local rescue, desperate for a secure and loving home. If you have your heart set on a puppy, find a professional Sheltie breeder near you. Never buy a puppy from a pet store or an online listing without professional kennel details. This simply fuels the horrendous puppy mill trade, and you're likely to take on a puppy with infectious and inherited diseases, as well as behavioral problems.
Professional breeders aim to produce the most healthy, well-adjusted dogs which represent the ideal breed standard. They do this to maintain the continuation of the breed we know and love. Only the dogs not suitable for breeding are re-homed as pets. Bear in mind that most breeders may only produce one or two litters each year, with the average litter being puppies.
Shelties are active dogs that require a lot of exercise or a job to satisfy their herding instinct. With enough exercise, they can live a happy life in a variety of living situations.
Your sheltie will love you! He is loyal, willing to please and works hard to do so. A good listener, your sheltie is obedient and easily trainable with a pleasant, happy temperament. A smart breed, shelties react to the tone of your voice and can be shy or nervous with strangers. Strangers must exercise caution with shelties as they may bark loudly and even bite unfamiliar people. Because of the breed's intelligence and herding instinct, he requires a lot of activity.
Generally, shelties are healthy dogs with few serious physical issues. However, they may have some genetic health issues.
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