THE SHETLAND SHEEPDOG
There are many wonderful books on Shelties.
However, no Sheltie owner should be without
"Sheltie Talk". You can get it on line new or
used or contact Alphine Publications, Inc 214
19th St. S.E Loveland, Colorado 80537
However, no Sheltie owner should be without
"Sheltie Talk". You can get it on line new or
used or contact Alphine Publications, Inc 214
19th St. S.E Loveland, Colorado 80537
check out the development stage of a sheltie pup
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The Shetland Sheepdog "Sheltie" is a very special
dog. Loyal. Above average in canine intelligence. A
near-human capacity for understanding and
compassion.
Shelties are small, alert, rough coated working dog
resembling the ideal Collie in miniature. However, the
Sheltie is not a miniature Collie.
The breed standard requires the Sheltie to be sound,
sturdy, and agile, and therefore he is one of the
hardiest of the registered breeds. His double coat is
thick and protects him from the elements and enables
him to withstand exposure of extreme temperatures.
His most striking feature is his ability to sense when
something is wrong and his extremely strong
awareness of property boundaries. He likes to work:
lacking the opportunity to herd animals he may take
over the children, keeping them where they should be
or at least letting others know if something is wrong.
His working instinct lends to inventive ways of
pleasing his master. He is a pleasure to live with and a
delight to own.
HISTORY: The actual origin is lost in the mists of the
Shetland Islands and cannot be traced completely by
records, but tradition makes the Sheltie as old as the
islands themselves. There is little doubt that the
small working Collie from which the modern show
Collie derives, was likewise the progenitor of the
Shetland Sheepdog.
Traits: Some Shelties grin: many cross their front legs
while laying down: some use their hands extensively,
and some wash their face like a cat. Shelties have a
distinct language of whines, groans, grumbles, and
warbles, and some even purr. The original Island
Shelties never barked except to sound a warning.
This is not as true today. Most Shelties are barkers.
You will see many Shelties debarked or have the bark
softened. Males have proven to be quieter, more
stable, and easier to housebreak than females.
The Standard: No dog is perfect. The Shetland
Sheepdog should be small 13" to 16"at the shoulder
and weight not more than 25lbs. However, most by
not all pet Shelties are larger and weigh a little more
because kennel breeders sell the pups for pet when
they know they will go over size. Over 16" can not be
shown for conformation. Size is one of the hardest
things to obtain and a small pup can turn out to go
over size while a large pup can slow and stay in size.
Somewhat of a guessing game on a young dog. The
outline should be so symmetrical that no part appears
out of proportion to the whole. Dogs should appear
masculine: bitches feminine.
Head. Refined in its shape. When viewed from top or
side, be a long, blunt wedge tapering slightly from ears
to nose, which must be black. The top skull should be
flat. Skull and muzzle should be of equal length,
balance point should parallel the top line of muzzle,
but on a higher plane due to the presence of a slight
but definite stop.
Coat: Should be double, the outer consisting of long,
straight, harsh hair; the undercoat short, furry and so
dense as to give the entire coat its "stand-off" quality.
Mane and frill abundant, and impressive in males.
Forelegs feathered, hind legs heavily but smooth
below the hock joint. Hair on tall profuse. Excess hair
on ears, feet and hocks can be trimmed.
Color: Black, blue Merle, and sable (golden to
mahogany) Marked with varying amounts of white and
or tan. There should be no rustiness in black or blue
coats. Nor should there be washed out or degenerate
colors such as pale sable or faded blue. More than 50
percent white shall eliminate them from competition.
Temperament: He is intensely loyal, affectionate, and
responsive to his owner. He may be reserved toward
strangers but not to the point of showing fear.
Eyes: Medium size with dark, almond shaped rims, set
somewhat obliquely in the skull. Color must be dark,
with blue or merle eyes permissible in blue merles .
Ears: Small and flexible, placed high, carried three
fourths erect, with tips breaking forward. When in
repose the ears fold lengthwise and are thrown back
into the frill. Most pups benefit by have their ears set
with moleskin or glue while teething or periods of
stress.
Neck: muscular, arched, and of sufficient length to
carry the head proudly.
Body: Should appear moderately long as measured
from shoulder joint to pelvic bone. Chest should be
deep, the brisket, reaching to point of elbow. The ribs
well sprung, but flattened at their lower half to allow
free play of the foreleg and shoulder.
Tall: Long so that when it is laid along the back edge of
the hind legs the last vertebra will reach the hocks.
dog. Loyal. Above average in canine intelligence. A
near-human capacity for understanding and
compassion.
Shelties are small, alert, rough coated working dog
resembling the ideal Collie in miniature. However, the
Sheltie is not a miniature Collie.
The breed standard requires the Sheltie to be sound,
sturdy, and agile, and therefore he is one of the
hardiest of the registered breeds. His double coat is
thick and protects him from the elements and enables
him to withstand exposure of extreme temperatures.
His most striking feature is his ability to sense when
something is wrong and his extremely strong
awareness of property boundaries. He likes to work:
lacking the opportunity to herd animals he may take
over the children, keeping them where they should be
or at least letting others know if something is wrong.
His working instinct lends to inventive ways of
pleasing his master. He is a pleasure to live with and a
delight to own.
HISTORY: The actual origin is lost in the mists of the
Shetland Islands and cannot be traced completely by
records, but tradition makes the Sheltie as old as the
islands themselves. There is little doubt that the
small working Collie from which the modern show
Collie derives, was likewise the progenitor of the
Shetland Sheepdog.
Traits: Some Shelties grin: many cross their front legs
while laying down: some use their hands extensively,
and some wash their face like a cat. Shelties have a
distinct language of whines, groans, grumbles, and
warbles, and some even purr. The original Island
Shelties never barked except to sound a warning.
This is not as true today. Most Shelties are barkers.
You will see many Shelties debarked or have the bark
softened. Males have proven to be quieter, more
stable, and easier to housebreak than females.
The Standard: No dog is perfect. The Shetland
Sheepdog should be small 13" to 16"at the shoulder
and weight not more than 25lbs. However, most by
not all pet Shelties are larger and weigh a little more
because kennel breeders sell the pups for pet when
they know they will go over size. Over 16" can not be
shown for conformation. Size is one of the hardest
things to obtain and a small pup can turn out to go
over size while a large pup can slow and stay in size.
Somewhat of a guessing game on a young dog. The
outline should be so symmetrical that no part appears
out of proportion to the whole. Dogs should appear
masculine: bitches feminine.
Head. Refined in its shape. When viewed from top or
side, be a long, blunt wedge tapering slightly from ears
to nose, which must be black. The top skull should be
flat. Skull and muzzle should be of equal length,
balance point should parallel the top line of muzzle,
but on a higher plane due to the presence of a slight
but definite stop.
Coat: Should be double, the outer consisting of long,
straight, harsh hair; the undercoat short, furry and so
dense as to give the entire coat its "stand-off" quality.
Mane and frill abundant, and impressive in males.
Forelegs feathered, hind legs heavily but smooth
below the hock joint. Hair on tall profuse. Excess hair
on ears, feet and hocks can be trimmed.
Color: Black, blue Merle, and sable (golden to
mahogany) Marked with varying amounts of white and
or tan. There should be no rustiness in black or blue
coats. Nor should there be washed out or degenerate
colors such as pale sable or faded blue. More than 50
percent white shall eliminate them from competition.
Temperament: He is intensely loyal, affectionate, and
responsive to his owner. He may be reserved toward
strangers but not to the point of showing fear.
Eyes: Medium size with dark, almond shaped rims, set
somewhat obliquely in the skull. Color must be dark,
with blue or merle eyes permissible in blue merles .
Ears: Small and flexible, placed high, carried three
fourths erect, with tips breaking forward. When in
repose the ears fold lengthwise and are thrown back
into the frill. Most pups benefit by have their ears set
with moleskin or glue while teething or periods of
stress.
Neck: muscular, arched, and of sufficient length to
carry the head proudly.
Body: Should appear moderately long as measured
from shoulder joint to pelvic bone. Chest should be
deep, the brisket, reaching to point of elbow. The ribs
well sprung, but flattened at their lower half to allow
free play of the foreleg and shoulder.
Tall: Long so that when it is laid along the back edge of
the hind legs the last vertebra will reach the hocks.
