| Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties): the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Shetland Sheepdog personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Shetland Sheepdog, including these excerpts:
"Proud and animated, sweet and gentle, the Shetland Sheepdog is a swift, light-footed runner and graceful jumper. Shelties need and enjoy a good amount of physical exercise and mental stimulation such as obedience, agility, herding, or fetching a ball.
Shetland Sheepdogs are sociable and can become unhappy, noisy, or destructive if left for long periods of time without something to do or the companionship of people or other pets.
Most Shelties are peaceful with everyone, though reserved and sometimes timid with strangers. To build a confident temperament, the Shetland Sheepdog needs more extensive socialization than many other breeds.
Exceptionally bright and attentive, he is easy to train if one has a quiet voice and a light hand on the leash, for Shelties are extremely sensitive, sometimes overly so. They respond beautifully to praise and food rewards and often need only verbal correction.
More reactive to loud noises than some other breeds, the Shetland Sheepdog does not do well in an environment with frequent tension or loud voices.
Many are a bit dainty and can be overwhelmed by the herky-jerky mannerisms of small children.
Some may try to herd people and other pets by poking or nipping. Shelties tend to be barkers, and some have high-pitched, piercing voices."
History
Developed on the rugged Shetland Islands off Scotland, the Sheltie was bred down from medium-sized farm dogs.
He was NOT developed from the type of Shetland Sheepdog we know as "Lassie," so don't make the common mistake of calling him a "Toy Shetland Sheepdog" or "Miniature Shetland Sheepdog." Call him by his correct name: Shetland Sheepdog or Sheltie.
Size
13-16 inches and 15-25 lbs, but larger individuals are common and make sturdy pets |
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Shetland Sheepdogs
(Shelties)
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- There are energetic Shelties, and placid Shelties.
- Hard-headed Shelties, and sweet-natured Shelties.
- Serious Shelties, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Shelties, and Shelties who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Shetland Sheepdog puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed...
- Is conveniently-sized, elegant and graceful
- Has a lovely coat that comes in a variety of striking colors
- Is athletic and animated, a swift light-footed runner and jumper
- Has a "soft" personality (sweet, gentle, sensitive)
- Is peaceful with strangers and other animals
- Is bright and attentive and learns very quickly
A Shetland Sheepdog may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- An extremely careful search to avoid all the highstrung, neurotic Shelties
- Providing sufficient exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom
- "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
- Shyness or fearfulness in some lines, or when not socialized enough
- Emotional sensitivity to stress and loud voices
- Chasing and nipping at things that move
- Barking
- Lots of brushing and combing
- Heavy shedding
- Serious health problems
A Sheltie may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Sheltie... |
My major concerns would be:
- Unstable temperaments. Shelties are a dime a dozen, and most of them are bred and offered for sale by people who don't have the slightest idea of how to breed good-tempered dogs. Obedience instructors and behavioral consultants see LOTS of highstrung Shelties with neurotic behaviors, including skittishness, hyperactivity, and mindless yapping.
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Though they don't need miles of running exercise, Shetland Sheepdogs are herding dogs who MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing.
| The intelligence and enthusiasm of this breed is wasted in most households. If you simply want a pet and don't have the time or inclination to get your dog involved in agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. |
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Shetland Sheepdogs need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They become anxious, which they express by chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Timidity. Standoffish by nature, Shetland Sheepdogs need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, which are difficult to live with and can even lead to defensive biting.
- Emotional sensitivity. Be honest...is there tension in your home? Are people loud or angry or emotional? Are there arguments or fights? Shetland Sheepdogs are extremely sensitive to stress and may behave neurotically if the people in their home are having family problems. Shelties are peaceful dogs who need a harmonious home.
| If you have small children, I do not recommend Shetland Sheepdogs. The temptation to nip at moving children is simply too strong in many young Shelties. And the temptation to play too roughly with this sensitive breed is simply too strong in small children. Many Shetland Sheepdog feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness may be the result. |
- Barking. Shetland Sheepdogs are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. For the same reason, Shelties should NEVER be left outside in your yard, unsupervised.
- Grooming. To keep their feathered coat free of mats, Shelties require regular brushing and combing, and occasional trimming.
- Heavy shedding. Shetland Sheepdogs shed a LOT. You'll find hair and fur is deposited all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life. Make sure you are REALLY up for this.
- Serious health problems. Epilepsy, von Willebrand's bleeding disease, heart disease, joint disorders, eye diseases, endocrine system disorders, skin problems...the list is depressingly long.
| If you're considering an adult Shetland Sheepdog... |
There are plenty of adult Shelties who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2006 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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