Shetland Sheepdog Breed Information, Personality, and Characteristics
The Shetland Sheepdog breed originated in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. They are also referred to as Shelties. This breed of dog is intelligent, loyal, and an efficient herder. While the Shetland Sheepdog is known for fulfilling their duty well, they also make for delightful pets. And if you are planning to bring a Sheltie home, here’s everything you need to know about it.
Physical characteristics
The Shetland Sheepdog dog breed is an average-sized dog. They tend to have a long, double coats that comes in the following colors, Sable and white, black and white, blue merle and white, black, white and tan, sable merle and white. They weigh anywhere between 7 to 11 kgs and can grow up to 16 inches tall. The Shetland Sheepdog coat is long and silky. A few primary characteristics of the Shetland Sheepdog dog breed are its beautiful coat and entertaining personality.
Temperament and personality
The Shetland Sheepdog is intelligent and agile. They make great companions and have an affinity for obedience. Their sensitive and affectionate nature makes them superb family dogs. They possess desirable traits a pet parent would want in a watchdog. For instance, they do not mingle with strangers and bark at them. Their ears, perched atop their wedge-shaped head, are always alert for signs of danger.
Care requirements
Grooming needs
The Sheltie dog has a double coat that is prone to shedding. The harsh, long, straight outer coat is a sharp contrast to the short, furry, and dense undercoat. A Sheltie’s coat requires frequent brushing as this helps with keeping their fur mat-free and with shedding. You can routinely clean your pet's eye with a pet-friendly wipe so that no debris affects its eyesight. Furthermore, you will need to clean their ears every now and then.
Exercise requirements
Shetland Sheepdogs are athletic and full of energy. They require moderate exercise to continue to be healthy. They require daily activity and love the outdoors. They love activities such as fetch, obedience, and agility.
Nutritional requirements
Shetland Sheepdogs require good quality dog food. You may prepare these meals at home or opt for good brands available in the market. Apart from meals being nutritional, they need to be fed on time. Ensure the diet you provide your dog is suitable for their age. Excessive feeding may result in your Shetland Sheepdog getting overweight. This could lead to other health problems.
Shetland Sheepdogs thrive on a diet that meets their specific nutritional needs, and CESAR® caters perfectly to small breed dogs like them. Crafted with care, our meals combine top-quality meats and wholesome vegetables to ensure a balanced intake of essential nutrients. Featuring appetizing flavors such as lamb and beef, our recipes are enticing even to the most selective eaters, guaranteeing that your Shetland Sheepdog enjoys every bite while maintaining optimal health.
Health concerns
Although Shetland Sheepdogs are generally a healthy breed, there are certain issues that affect them, like those listed below:
Hip Dysplasia
This affects Shetland Sheepdogs as it does several other breeds. A hip evaluation is highly recommended to protect your dog from issues in the future.
Collie Eye Anomaly
This condition affects the eye development in your pet and could potentially result in complete loss of sight. It is commonly found in Sheltie puppies and this disease does not have a cure.
Epilepsy
Shelties could suffer from recurring seizures with no cause. These seizures can affect your dog’s entire body or just certain parts. Look out for signs of Epilepsy, such as drooling, stiffening and falling over, loss of bladder or bowels, and vomiting.
Thyroid Disease
If the thyroid gland is underactive in your dog, it could cause lethargy, weight gain, and a change in skin color. Daily medication can help your pet deal with hypothyroidism.
Sheltie Skin Disease
Sheltie skin syndrome is a hereditary disease that affects muscles, skin, and blood vessels, causing inflammation. This disease is observed in dogs less than six months old.
Preventative care and regular check ups
It is imperative that you regularly take your Sheltie dog to the vet so that they can receive the required vaccinations. Your beloved pet needs its hip and ophthalmologist evaluation.
Training and socialization
Shelties are easy to train as they are intelligent animals. Their willingness to please can be used to teach them obedience efficiently. Ideally, training should begin at an early age. A strong training foundation needs to be laid for the dog to grow up obedient and watchful. These agile dogs are extremely social with familiar people. However, they do not trust strangers and even bark at them. You can allow them to experience various environments and different people to help them with their social skills.
Living environment
Shelties thrive in busy environments where they can keep their pet parent company, They prefer being occupied with guard duties than being by themselves.