THE SHETLAND SHEEPDOG
The Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) is indigenous to the Shetland Islands, which lie in the rough seas between Scotland and Norway. With many storms they eroded the vegetation and made it difficult for the cattle and sheep to survive on natural forage. They jumped the stone walls that surrounded the few crops that the islanders cultivated, in order to eat the tender plants that grew within. By the middle of the 19th century, the people had begun to breed these small, agile dogs to keep the cattle and sheep out of their walled gardens. Shetland Sheepdogs excel as herding dogs to this day.
The American Kennel Club recognized the Shetland Sheepdog in 1909 and registered the first dogs in 1910. Shetland Sheepdog numbers have increased steadily in the United States and have appeared on the AKC's list of the ten most popular dogs for the past twelve years.
Shetland Sheepdogs are known for there ability to herd, also they are good agility dogs.
Temperament, health, and behavior
The Shetland Sheepdog is a herding breed, and like the other dogs in its group, needs a job to do. If there are no sheep to herd, he'll round up the children. If he isn't given a job to do, he can become nervous in an attempt to dissipate their pent-up energy and drive.
Herding dogs have a great affinity for people as well as work, a connection confirmed by the great success of Shetland Sheepdogs in the obedience ring. Shetland Sheepdogs are almost always among the highest scores in obedience trials.
Well-bred Shetland Sheepdogs are bright, responsive, and devoted to the family. They are suspicious of strangers and so are good watchdogs. They love to play ball, frisbee, and chase sticks. Their desire to please makes them easy to train, most are a delight to take on walks in the park also travel well.
The breed is in the top 20 in popularity, the Shetland Sheepdog can be poorly bred in commercial kennels for pet store or by backyard breeders with little knowledge of breed temperament or health problems. A poorly bred Shetland Sheepdog can be timid to the point of fearfulness, biting, high-strung, and nipping. Well-bred Shetland Sheepdogs are hardy specimens of the breed. Poorly bred specimens may be temperamentally unsuited for families with children.
Shetland Sheepdogs are susceptible to eye diseases that cause blindness. Buyers should search for breeders who test for these diseases. The Shetland Sheepdog is also susceptible to heart disease, epilepsy, and von Willibrand's Disease (Which is a bleeding disorder). Merle puppies with double merle inheritance may be deafness and also have blindness. Usually they function well even with their disabilities.
Structural problems can include elbow and hip joint subluxation (looseness) and hip dysplasia is possible.
The Shetland Sheepdog is a good dog for the first time dog owners. The Shetland Sheepdog is generally healthy and hardy, generally even-tempered, and unusually bright and willing to please. The Shetland Sheepdog adapts well to apartment with small spaces as long as it receives mental and physical exercise. A Shetland Sheepdog is a wonderful dog to have. Shetland Sheepdog also enjoy agility work and can be trained for herding competitions.
Sydney & Prissy are my two Shetland Sheepdogs. Sydney came to me through Summerlove Sheltie Rescue in Pinellas Park, Florida. She was abandoned by her owner and is painfully shy. Sydney has come a long way since I first got her. She weights about 29 lbs. Sydney loves treats and going for a ride in the car, to the groomer. Prissy,was bought from someone in North Carolina. She was kept outside in a cage and found it difficult to adjust to living inside with the family. Prissy is a happy go lucky kind of girl. She is oversized and weights about 42 lbs. Prissy loves to eat and play. Recently, she learned what getting on the bed can mean and revels in the sneak to the bed. Of course they are both barker. They always have a reason to bark. However, they do bark when I go to the door, take the garbage out or get the mail. Shetland Sheepdogs are very vocal. Sydney has a thin coat of hair. While Prissy hair is full and beautiful. Just like a Shetland Sheepdog.
When I lived in Sacramento, California I use to go to this coffee shop. There was a man who would come there with his dog. I fell in love with it. One day I ask him what kind of dog it was. He said, it was a Shetland Sheepdog. From then on I new what kind of dog I wanted. Looked through the classified and found an ad for someone who was selling a Shetland Sheepdog. Called the lady and went by that day. I left with Trixie. She was 18 months old. We had a few issues but soon they were over leaving us time to walk in park and play. She was a beautiful Sable & White sheltie. Trixie was with me for ten and a half wonderful years. Something just clicked between us. Something that words can not describe. Trixie passed away to the Rainbow Bridge in Dec 2002. She was really my favorite but she was my first Shetland Sheepdog. Trixie had all the positive traits of a sheltie. She was very special to me. Trixie is unforgotten and still very much loved. Below you will find a link to Trixie Memorial Page. On Trixie Memorial Page you will find that people said a lot of nice things about her. Along with some poems.
