Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog is a breed often mistaken for a sort of miniature Collie, but in truth its ancestry is quite varied. It is thought to have originated as a working dog on the Shetland Islands of Scotland, which are located north of the mainland. The Shetland Sheepdog, or "Sheltie"� as it is commonly known, makes a fair working dog depending upon pedigree, and it is a good watchdog and excellent family companion. The Sheltie averages 13"� to 16"� tall. A healthy Shetland Sheepdog averages 10 to 15 years of life. This dog has a very thick, luxurious double coat. The top layer is made up of guard hairs that work to repel water and dirt; the dense under-layer works to insulate the dog from both hot and cold weather extremes. Color of the coat can vary greatly; the three colors approved by the AKC are: sable (golden to mahogany), tricolor (black, white, tan), and blue merle (usually gray to black guard hairs over a lighter background). Irresponsible breeders sometimes reach for unusual colorings to the detriment of the dogs' health. One example is the breeding of two merles, which results in a high proportion of white puppies that are deaf and/or blind this is known as "lethal white"�. The modern Shetland Sheepdog as we know it has never worked on the Shetland Islands: it was long ago replaced by the Border Collie, which even now is there to work the livestock. In the ninth century the Shetland Islands were colonized by the Vikings, who brought with them small working dogs that likely resembled the Spitz, Icelandic Sheepdog, or the now extinct Greenland Yakkin (Icelandic Yakkin). Celts from the mainland visited the islands, bringing with them Border Collies, and inevitably over time the bloodlines mixed to create a small herding dog. This early variant of the Sheltie eventually arrived in Scotland and in England, where organized breeding programs, desiring to improve the small working companion dog further, crossed it with the Rough Collie and with several small dogs including the Pomeranian and a small spaniel. The resulting dog was able to do some light farm work and tracking, plus it made a good household companion. Until the early years of the twentieth century the breed was known as the Shetland Collie. In 1909 it was recognized by the UK Kennel Club and dubbed the "Shetland Sheepdog"�. The American Kennel Club followed suit in 1911. Today it is recognized by most all of the world's major kennel clubs. Some Shelties which come from lines of herders, can be a fair herding dog on a farm. The American Shetland Sheepdog Association performed a study to assess how much instinct for herding the breed actually has on average, and what style the ability is. The organization concluded that this breed is generally adept at fetching and gathering the herd, and shows little real drive and little eye. The Sheltie can be useful on the farm to work anything from cattle to poultry, but cannot work independently without guidance. Obtaining a Sheltie requires diligent research by the prospective owner in order to avoid expensive health problems in the dog. This popular breed has become over-bred by backyard breeders and puppy mills. Many of the health issues common to the Shetland Sheepdog can be screened for and bred out by the responsible breeder, such as hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), Collie eye anomaly (CEA), epilepsy, and Von Willebrand's Disease (Type III) a blood disorder that is usually fatal early in the life of the dog. Another disease problematic in the Sheltie is dermatomyocitis, which is often misdiagnosed as sarcoptic or demodectic mange even by the experienced veterinarian unfamiliar with diseases specific to the Shetland Sheepdog. This skin disorder causes patches of baldness over the body, and if left untreated it can attack the autoimmune system and kill the animal. Again, this is a disease which is genetic; although there is currently no specific screening, experienced breeders can eliminate it in their lines by observation and selective breeding. The Sheltie is sometimes prone to skin allergies. The Shetland Sheepdog's coat needs less grooming than one might expect. It is relatively easy to brush for a long coat. The owner should brush it once to twice and week religiously to avoid skin problems in the dog such as hot spots, remove dead fur, and remove debris, but a daily brushing is not necessary except perhaps during the spring and fall when the Sheltie sheds more than usual. Brushing the Shetland Sheepdog is always a valuable activity, however: the brushing action distributes natural oils through the coat, making it shiny and less likely to become tangled. An occasional bath should be given when the owner deems it necessary to remove dirt or odor. Shelties do not normally need any trimming, although the show dogs are trimmed for the ring. The Sheltie is naturally vocal, and excessive barking can easily become a problem in individuals who are not adequately trained. Shelties can successfully be trained to bark only two or three times to warn the household of a visitor. This breed can do fine in an apartment, where it will be fairly active, but only when barking is controlled. The Sheltie is an active, alert, bright little dog, and like other herding breeds it needs daily exercise and mental stimulation, or neurosis and destructive behavior may develop. It has a very willing, inquisitive nature and this combined with its very high intelligence makes it easy to train. It's herding instincts can make it given to chasing youngsters and cats and nipping at heels these are rarely if ever painful bites and are not meant to be. The Shetland Sheepdog is extremely loyal to its family, loving and affectionate. If raised with children it becomes attached to them. However, the Sheltie must be socialized when young to accept strangers, or this breed can become nervous and snappy. When socialized and given a strong leader, the Sheltie is a gentle, kind dog that develops deep attachments to its human family. It needs to be in human company most of the time to be mentally well-balanced. Owners of the Shetland Sheepdog enjoy involving their dogs in organized activities in order to give adequate exercise and keep minds stimulated. These include agility, herding, competitive obedience, flyball and tracking.

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