HOME › FIND A BREED › BREED INFORMATION › BREED DETAILS

Shetland Sheepdog

Background

The Shetland Sheep dog, or "Sheltie" as it is affectionately known, originated from the Shetland Islands where it was used by crofters as a sheep dog. Few Shelties are used today for their original purpose as sheep dogs, but those people who have worked them vouch for their incredible stamina and instinctive ability to herd. They were first introduced into Australia in 1936. Often referred to as a miniature Collie, the Shetland Sheep dog certainly has the overall appearance of the Rough Collie, however, it is a breed in its own right and possesses some minor distinguishing features, apart from the obvious size difference.

Breed Personality, Characteristics & Temperment

Although rather a small dog, the Shetland Sheep dog is certainly not fragile. When feed was in short supply on the farms, the original Shelties were ferried on to small outlying islands with a flock of sheep and left for long periods to guard the flock and fend for themselves. Only the hardy would have been able to survive. When brought back to the farms after such isolation, the dogs would thrive on attention and affection. It is probably this part of their history that makes them so devoted to their owners, but suspicious of intruders and intent on protecting the family.

Compatibility With Other Pets

Excellent. It can live happily with the family cat and will get along with most other dogs.

Care Requirements

The Shetland Sheep dog's glamorous jacket requires surprisingly little attention. A brush and a comb behind the ears each week will keep it in good condition. The breed's double coat enables it to adapt to both hot and cold weather, the second layer (undercoat) giving insulation against both heat and cold.

Please take note:
While the Shetland Sheep dog is certainly capable of barking, it is also smart enough to be trained not to bark unnecessarily. It makes an excellent watchdog and will alert you to visitors or unusual occurrences.

Conclusion

If you have decided that the Shetland Sheep Dog is the dog for you and you realise that a brush and comb behind the ears is needed each week, contact one of the groups listed below:

Breeders

State	Contact	Breeder
NSW	Don and Jenny Herd	Glenmurry	Contact
WA	Sue Van	Sunland	Contact
NSW	Danielle Briggs	Stornoway	Contact
NSW	Carolyn Vicary	Sheltalyn	Contact
QLD	Dorothy Hall	Cadvarni	Contact
WA	Sue Henley	Kaysview	Contact
SA	Pauline and Joey Lim and Brennan	Aliste	Contact
NSW	Carol Payne	Sheltijoy	Contact
TAS	Shirley and Terry Fox	Shelmanna	Contact
SA	Ian and Cheryl Spangler	Shelsian	Contact
NSW	Judy and Veronica Docksey & Royston	Beauideal/Hilaire	Contact
VIC	Jeanette Kania	Kirrimist	Contact
VIC	Bill and Lexie Aberline	Aberjoy	Contact
NSW	Tenille Riordan	Sheldan	Contact
VIC	Maureen Gostelow	glenkinchie	Contact
WA	Christine Luxford	Ambermoon	Contact
NSW	Gary and Danielle Dryburgh	Tezer	Contact
VIC	Glenyse Acreman	Hillacre	Contact
NSW	Debbie and Doug Hedge	Inneslake	Contact
QLD	Paula Rowden	ELECTRO	Contact
WA	Kay Tonkin	Arajento	Contact
NSW	Deirdre Bolwell	Daydream	Contact
VIC	Kay Sullivan	Limbunya	Contact
VIC	John & Val Wishart	Abovin	Contact
SA	vicki sparks	eldawn	Contact
NSW	Michelle Young	Cheralay	Contact
WA	Hayley Lamb	Synrise	Contact
QLD	Robyn Carroll	Gavend	Contact
NSW	JONENE RUSDEN	NEDSUR	Contact
NSW	Coral Young	Summerset	Contact
NSW	Nicole Pearson	Hartly	Contact
VIC	christine klempel	charmhill	Contact

Height:

Weight: 6 kg to 7 kg

Lifespan: Shetland Sheepdogs live from between 12 to 16 years of age.

Ideal Owners: Almost anyone will benefit from owning a Shetland Sheepdog. The ideal owner is someone who understands the need for occasional grooming.