05/28/2026
We are “Getting to Know Your Breed” the Shetland Sheepdog, also known as a Sheltie! Show off your Shelties in our comment section!
The Shetland Sheepdog, is an extremely intelligent, quick, and obedient herding breed that originated from Scotland's remote and rugged Shetland Islands. Shelties bear a strong family resemblance to their bigger cousin, the Collie. The Shetland Sheepdog is a small, active, and agile herding dog.
The long coat of the Sheltie is harsh and straight, with a dense undercoat. This profuse double coat means Sheltie’s shed considerably. Owners must be prepared to brush the coat weekly, and more often during shedding season. Shaving double coated breeds is not recommended, if it can be prevented, because the coat protects against sunburn and heat as well as cold. The Sheltie coat comes in black, blue merle, and sable, with white markings.
Shelties are active and athletic, and while they need a moderate amount of exercise they are also very adaptable to their family's way of life. They do well as city dogs as long as owners provide sufficient exercise. They enjoy outings with their people that will exercise both their mind and body. Shelties enjoy and excel in many canine events, including obedience, agility, herding, and tracking, and they shine as therapy dogs. They are sensitive and affectionate family dogs, highly in tune with the mood of the household. They like to bark and tend to be reserved toward strangers, qualifications that make them an excellent watchdog.
