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Shetland SheepdogSheltie, Dwarf Scotch ShepherdFamily: Canidae Canis lupus familiarisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Justin BroughLatest Reader Comment - See More Hello! It is me again! I have a picture of Murphy!
[IMG]http://i53.tinypic.com/2iswboh.jpg[/IMG] Kimberly The Shetland Sheepdog or the Sheltie, has all of the desirable qualities of the Rough Collie, but in a smaller package.Shetland Sheepdog Contents Like the Collie, the Sheltie has an absolutely beautiful appearance to go along with its loyal, affectionate, and obedient nature. Additionally, the Sheltie demands less activity than the Collie, which makes it a suitable pet for smaller living environments. The Sheltie is an excellent pet for families and individuals. Common Name(s) Shetland Sheepdog, Sheltie, Dwarf Scotch Shepherd Breed Type This breed is a member of the herding dogs. These dogs were bred for herding cattle or sheep, which explains many of their characteristics. They are extremely active, intelligent, and driven to work. If not provided with an organized activity, such as herding trials or Flyball, these dogs are likely to find something less desirable to do, such as digging up gardens or chewing on shoes. Herding dogs are still currently used to herd livestock, but they can also be great pets for active owners with the time and energy to meet their needs. Background The Shetland Sheepdog is a miniature version of the Rough Collie. It is widely believed that the Shetland Sheepdog and current show Collie came from the same small working Collie ancestor, with the Shetland Sheepdog evolving from the smaller lines and the Rough Collie evolving from the larger lines. Description The Shetland Sheepdog is a moderately small breed, weighing in at 14-30 pounds and standing 13-16 inches at shoulder height. The American standard states that Shetland Sheepdogs must be between 13 and 16 inches in height in order to qualify at shows, but taller and shorter Shelties exist. Like the Collie, the Sheltie's head is long, thin, and tapering. The eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and the ears are small and semi-erect. The neck is muscular and the tail is medium-length Care and Feeding Shelties have no special dietary needs, though they do have rather demanding grooming requirements. Due to their long, dense double-coat, they must be groomed 2 or 3 times a week for about 20 minutes each.
Housing Your Dog Unlike the Collie, the Sheltie can be content in an apartment, as long as it is brought outside regularly for exercise. The Sheltie, of course, can also live in rural areas where there is room to roam. Social Behaviors The Shetland Sheepdog is a friendly breed. Though it may be initially shy around strangers, it generally is not fearful of them. Like other herding breeds, the Sheltie has a tendency to herd other animals and small children. Handling and Training Like most dogs, the Sheltie benefits from obedience training. In fact this breed is often the star at obedience trials. Activities Shelties are active dogs that enjoy a large amount of exercise. However, they do not need as much structured activity time as the Collie, and can be content as a more sedentary companion. Breeding/Reproduction Average litter size is 4-6 pups. Common Health Problems Shelties, like Collies, are at risk for eye diseases, including Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA). Progressive retinal atrophy causes night blindness first, and then day blindness. There is no treatment for this disease, but many dogs adapt well to blindness, with few signs of the ailment, as long as they are in a familiar setting. Availability The Sheltie is a popular breed and is readily available from breeders on the internet and locally. Due to its popularity, prospective owners should be careful to only buy from reputable breeders that are careful in breeding dogs with positive qualities. Prices range from approximately $150-300 for adults, $350-600 for pet quality puppies, and $700-1200 for show and breeding quality puppies. References Dog Breed Info Center (2008), http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/collie.htm
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