Group: Herding

Weight: 20 lbs

Height: 13-16 inches



History

Originally, the Shetland sheepdog was developed to guard and herd flocks of sheep in the Shetland Islands, just off Scotland. It is believed that Shetland sheepdogs are probably linked to the Scottish Rough-coated Collies. Shetland sheepdogs are wonderful sheepdogs. Although they are not all that big, they are still very able to herd sheep over long distances and long periods of time. Shetland sheepdogs were exported from the Shetlands many years ago, and since then they have been refined. Today, Shetland makes very wonderful family companions and watch dogs.

Characteristics

Shetland Sheepdogs have a very sweet nature and these adorable dogs possess a very strong herding instinct – which might lead to them biting at ankles and even chasing after cars. These dogs will not do well in kennels, and prefer to be home based with their families. Shetland Sheepdogs are very warm and affectionate, but can be very protective of their families. This is a dog that will thrive in a home environment.

Temperament

The Shetland sheepdog is very bright, and they have a very even temper. These dogs are also very gentle, obedient and very faithful. Shetland Sheepdogs are very fond of playing, and get along well with children that are considerate and also with other dogs. Some Shetland Sheepdogs have a tendency to be somewhat anxious and timid, and should therefore be socialised when still puppies. The Shetland sheepdog will always try to please their families, and like to be trained at a higher level in order to reach advanced obedience. The Shetland tends to be cautious of strangers, and also make good watch dogs.

Care

The Shetland sheepdog is a dog that will not require a lot of maintenance dog, therefore ideal for people that don’t have lots of time on their hands. Brushing their coats twice a week should be sufficient to keep it in a good condition, but it might have to be increased at times when shedding is more. The Shetland sheepdog is a medium shedding dog, but this might change on a seasonal basis. For more detailed info, take a look at the Shetland Sheepdog Grooming page.

Training

Shetland sheepdogs are very easy to train, and they do extremely well when it comes to obedience training. These dogs possess a human like intelligence, and are very obeying dogs. These dogs will do extra well in areas where they have to work, seeing that their herding instincts are very strong.

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