Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog — the Sheltie — is a small herding breed from the Shetland Islands, resembling a miniature rough Collie and prized for its trainability.

History

It was developed on the remote Shetland Islands, where hardy small livestock were matched by small working dogs, to herd and guard sheep and crofts. Later crossing with mainland collie types gave it the refined look it has today.

Temperament

The breed is known for being bright, sensitive and devoted, intensely bonded to its family while reserved and vocal toward strangers. Its cleverness and eagerness to please make it one of the most responsive of small dogs.

Care and training

It needs regular exercise and mental work and excels at obedience and agility, taking to gentle, reward-based training with ease. The long double coat needs regular brushing to stay free of mats.

Health

Known tendencies include Collie eye anomaly, progressive retinal atrophy, the herding-breed drug sensitivity, and hypothyroidism. These are patterns for the breed rather than a verdict on one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.