Shetland Sheepdog Breed Information & Characteristics

The Shetland Sheepdog is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Unfortunately, the Shetland Sheepdog is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Affectionate
Gentle
Lively
Responsive
Friendly
Intelligent
Playful

Shetland Sheepdog dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Shetland Sheepdog. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Shetland Sheepdogs are very good watchdogs. They are a vocal breed, and are wary of outsiders, so if someone approaches your home or aims to intrude, the Shetland Sheepdog is going to make sure everyone knows about it.

Scotland (Shetland Islands)

collie

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
Canadian Canine Registry

1800s

Herding (AKC:1911 & UKC)

Blue
Brown

Black

Sable
Black
Blue
White

The coat of a Shetland Sheepdog is longer than that of the typical dog.

Straight

A Shetland Sheepdog can have a litter of 12-14 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Shetland Sheepdogs are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

The Shetland Sheepdog is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Dermatomyositis
Sensitive to Ivermectin

Patellar Luxation
Cataract
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Hip Dysplasia
Collie Eye Anomaly

Eye
Hip
Hearing
Blood Test
Hip X-Rays
Dna For Vwd
Eye Examination
Physical Examination

Shetland Sheepdogs are known for their high energy levels, so if you're looking for a more low-key dog, this breed may not be the best choice.

Shetland Sheepdog have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

The Shetland Sheepdog dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Shetland Sheepdogs dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

The Shetland Sheepdog is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Shetland Sheepdog dogs bark and howl frequently, they are not a good fit for quiet homes.

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Walk, Playing fetch, Tug of war, Training, Running, Go to Beach, Go to Park, Long walks, Run After birds, Showing, Beach, Obedience, Snuggles, Soccer, Frisbee, Run, Play, Chase, Fetch, Dog Parks

Shetland Sheepdogs are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Shetland Sheepdog, it's at least 8 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

In general most Shetland Sheepdogs usually need at least 45 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

This breed is known for having high grooming needs.

Shetland Sheepdog should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Pin Brush
Dematter
Comb
Nail Clipper

For an average 14-27 pound (6 - 12 kg) Shetland Sheepdog feed 2 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

The average cost of a Shetland Sheepdog is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

The average per month expenses of a Shetland Sheepdog is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

The Shetland Sheepdog breed is considered highly intelligent and very easy to train.

This dog breed is particularly attuned to its environment and the emotions of those around it. It can be easily overwhelmed by loud noises, new environments, and unfamiliar people or animals. This dog is best suited for individuals or families who are patient, gentle, and understanding of its sensitive nature. It may also benefit from a calm and stable home environment, with a consistent routine and plenty of positive reinforcement training.

It's not recommended to keep the Shetland Sheepdog in an apartment, but this breed make good apartment dogs as long as they get to spend a good amount of time outside of the apartment. Shetland Sheepdogs living in apartments will need plenty of physical exercise and stimulation throughout the day to remain happy and well-behaved.

Shetland Sheepdogs are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Shetland Sheepdogs are very cat friendly dogs. They generally make good companions for cats.

Shetland Sheepdogs are friendly, active and loyal companions. They generally love to be around other dogs, making them a good family pet for some,

Shetland Sheepdogs are below average friendly around strangers. Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, most Shetland Sheepdogs are very quick to announce strangers at the door. Once the visitor comes in, some Shetland Sheepdogs will be friendly and outgoing. But many others have the standoffish or suspicious towards strangers.

Shetland Sheepdogs have an average level of playfulness. The Shetland Sheepdogs, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Shetland Sheepdog dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.