Shetland Sheepdog - Sheltie Breed Information

Shetland Sheepdog - Sheltie

Weight:

14-27 pounds (6.4-12.3 kg.)

Height:

13-16 inches (33-40.6 cm.)

Color:

sable, tricolour, blue merle; Bi-Blues (grey, black, and some white) and bi-blacks (white and black) are less common but still acceptable.

Temperament:

The Shetland Sheepdog is an outstanding companion dog and is intensely loyal. It is lively, intelligent, trainable, and willing to please and obey. Shelties are naturally aloof with strangers and might not appreciate being petted by someone they do not know; for this reason Shelties must be socialized extensively. Some can be quite reserved and some have varying degrees of shyness. Although they are excellent family pets, Shelties do especially well with children if they are raised with them from an early age; however, their small size makes it easy for a child to accidentally injure them, so supervision is necessary. The herding instinct is still strong in many Shelties. They love to chase things, including squirrels, ducks, and children.

Grooming:

The coat is easier to care for than you might expect, but regular brushing is important. Mist the coat lightly with water before you begin and tease out the mats before they get bad, but use the comb sparingly. Bathe or dry shampoo only when absolutely necessary.

Training:

Shelties also are very smart, making them highly trainable.

Exercise:

The Sheltie is, above all, an intelligent herder and likes to be kept busy, although their activity level usually coincides with their owner's level Shelties usually love to play. Shelties love to run in wide-open areas

Life Expectancy:

around 12-15 years

Litter Size:

average 3-6 puppies

Country of origin:

Scotland

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