What the AKC says about the Sheltie:
Faithful, supremely intelligent, and with great beauty, the "Sheltie" as he is affectionately called, originated in the Shetland Islands off the north coast of Scotland. The dwarfing effect of rigorous climate, rugged conditions, limited feed, etc. have over the years produced pint-sized ponies, miniature sheep, and now diminutive dogs.
The Shetland Sheepdog has a very obedient nature and is supremely easy to train, and eager to please. His devoted, docile nature, and keen all-but-human intelligence and understanding, makes him a companion dog par excellence for adults and gentle children. He is an outstanding subject for obedience training. Somewhat reserved with strangers, the Shetland Sheepdog is intensely loyal, affectionate and responsive with his own people. He has a strongly defined sense of boundary, and makes a good little watchdog.
The Sheltie's luxuriant jacket, characterised by its abundant mane and frill, is his crowning glory. A double coat, consisting of long straight harsh hair over a short dense furry undercoat, it requires regular attention to keep it in good order
A well bred Sheltie is a very loyal, friendly, and extremely smart dog. Shelties are well known for their intelligence. You will often see Shelties winning in many obedience and performance events. If you have never owned a Sheltie, their intelligence will surprise you.
A Sheltie is a housedog, not an outside dog. A Sheltie has a strong need to be with its owner. A sheltie will follow you from room to room in the house, just to be with you. Some Shelties get upset and will bark when their owners leave. A sheltie will be quite lonesome and unhappy if they are forced to be an outdoor dog.
Correctly bred Shelties are calm, not hyper. However, with many inexperienced people breeding shelties we are starting to see some hyper Shelties, giving the breed a bad name. A well bred Sheltie is very calm, gentle and loving.
Shyness is a big problem in this breed. Shelties are shy of strangers. You can help this by exposing your Sheltie to as many people as you can at an early age. All degrees of shyness are seen in this breed. Some shelties have never met a stranger, while some will only interact with their owners.
Shelties are very sensitive to stress. Normally an extremely intelligent animal, stress can cause them to become very stubborn and basically "zone out". They become less trusting and very fearful. Stress comes in all forms for these gentle creatures, from a change in routine, to an addition to your family. Be very watchful of them during this time and try and make any transitions in your home gradually and be sure to include your baby in on any changes
This is a barky breed!! If you cannot have a barking dog, this may not be the breed for you. Shelties are somewhat protective of their home, and will bark to warn you of a strangers arrival. They also will bark if anything is "wrong" or to try and warn you of something. Most Shelties will bark at the UPS man, the mailman, and anyone else who comes on your property. Shelties seldom bark for no reason.
History
The Sheltie (or Shetland Sheepdog) originated in the Shetland Islands. He was first bred to be a herding dog. The herding instinct remains strong in many of today's dogs. You may notice your Sheltie herding the kids or a ball, by running circles around it.
Sheltie Quirks
All breeds have their little quirks. So does a Sheltie!!
Jumping and spinning in circles. We call it the "sheltie spin" Not real sure why they do this. Happens more when they are nervous or excited.
Acting hand shy. Even the best raised shelties will act handshy at times.
Herding people and nipping at their heels. The herding instinct is alive and strong in this breed.
Afraid of thunderstorms. (along with higher intelligence comes more fear) Keep your sheltie secure during a storm, because they may try to run away from the noise.
Fear of strangers. Don't expect your sheltie to be social with strangers. With many shelties, it takes a while for them to warm up.
CARE
a thorough brushing once a week will suffice. (Shedding will increase temporarily right after a bath.) Shedding is moderate through the year, except for twice a year (once a year for altered pets) when the entire coat is shed, and a new one grown. A Sheltie generally will not get his full adult coat in until he is about 3 years old. Shelties are best suited to be indoor dogs. A Sheltie who is kept outdoors will have a much thicker, harder to manage coat that will require more care. Shelties love to exercise, but can manage in a small fenced yard or with several daily walks.
SIZE
Shelties come in all different sizes. However to "show" a Sheltie in conformation, they must be between 13-16" at the shoulder as measured from the ground. Size does not affect their personality at all. Some Shelties look like small collies, while some are quite small. Some can weigh 50 #s, and some can weigh 10#s.. The average Sheltie probably weighs 25 pounds. There is NO such thing as a miniature or toy sheltie. These terms were made up by unethical breeders trying to market small shelties. These really small shelties can and often do have more medical problems than the normal sized shelties. IF someone tries to sell you a "miniature Sheltie", you should run the other way!
COAT
Shelties have a double coat, the outer layer consisting of long, straight, harsh hair, and the undercoat short, furry and very dense. The mane should be abundant, and more impressive in the males.
COLORS
Sheltie coats can be Sable (ranging from golden to mahogany), Blue Merle, Tri-Colour, Black and White and Blue and White. They can be marked with varying amounts of white and/or tan.
GROOMING
How much grooming your Sheltie will need depends on the individual dog. The Sheltie is a very clean dog, and with a minimum of effort can be kept beautiful and comfortable. On the average, a daily once-over, combined with a weekly vigorous brushing, is all that's required. Shelties also require periodic nail trimming, ear care, and teeth cleaning to prevent early tooth loss or gum disease. Male Shelties normally shed their undercoat about once a year, while females usually shed twice a year, shortly after their "heat" cycles.
EXERCISING
Your Sheltie will adapt himself to your way of life. If you lead a quiet life-style, with no exercise, so will he, but it will not be healthy for him. If you have a fenced-in yard, where he can run around, fine. Shelties will do well in any environment as long as the necessity for regular exercise is understood.
SOCIALIZATION
This is the way you teach your Sheltie puppy how the world works. This is done by going on "field trips" to the park, playground, shopping center, a friend's home or gatherings where your puppy is welcome. A puppy that is not given this frequent away-from home experience between 12 and 20 weeks of age may not develop that outgoing, friendly Sheltie temperament.
RESPONSIBLE BREEDING STANDARDS
The American Shetland Sheepdog Association (ASSA) consider ethical dog-related practices in the areas of breeding, selling, buying and exhibiting the Shetland Sheepdog.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BREEDER-SELLER
1. The ultimate goal of the responsible breeder should be to improve the breed
by producing attractive, healthy, puppies with good temperaments, whether for
pet or show.
2. Breeders should have a basic knowledge of genetics, the breed, dog breeding
in general and the specific faults and virtues of their chosen genetic lines.
They should also be aware of potential health problems, associated both with the
breed itself, and the specific lines. This is to encourage improvement of the
breed by using top quality stock, along with extensive, researched knowledge.
3. A breeder should be discriminating in the placement of his stock. A breeder
should not sell to, or aid in selling a sheltie to any person who he, or she,
has reason to believe will not provide proper care and environment, or who may
use the dog in a fashion which is detrimental to the dog itself, or the breed.
4. It is recommended that breeders not sell puppies under the age of eight (8)
weeks and/or without proper, documented, immunization and health protection for
their age.
5. Breeders should be honest and forthright in answering questions pertaining to
their Shelties.
6. Breeders should recommend future immunization and worming schedules, as well
as ways to deal with various health and/or behavioral problems that might occur.
Breeders should also inform new owners of any health clearances that have been
performed on one or both of the parents.
7. The ASSA encourage all Sheltie owners that breed Shelties to assume more
responsibility for dogs produced throughout their lives rather than just until
the first sale.
8. Breeders should maintain the best possible health, safety, cleanliness and
veterinary care for their animals, as well as proper nutrition and
socialization; and should pass these recommended measures along to new owners.
9. All agreements should be in writing and be clearly understood by all parties.
10.Breeding arrangements should never be established which would encourage the
pet buyer to undertake a breeding program. If a "breeder" does not have the
time, facility or desire to themselves have a litter out of a particular brood
matron, that dog should not be passed to a pet buyer just to produce puppies.
11. Responsible breeders should require the spaying/neutering of all
non-breeding animals and follow-up should be done to ensure that this aspect of
the contract has been fulfilled.
Last Updated
04/06/2008 01:18:43 PM -0700
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Southern AZ Shetland Sheepdog Independent Education and Rescue
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