Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog can also be called the Sheltie. The Sheltie is a breeding dog that originates from the Scottish Shetland Islands. Controversy trailed the nomenclature of the breed initially as ‘Shetland Collie’, this name format wasn’t accepted by the Rough collie breeders.  It is a very hard-working small dog that is vocal, excitable, intelligent, and willing to please. Discover more about our Shetland Sheepdog puppies for sale below!

Breed History 

The Shetland Sheepdog is a breeding by-product of the crossing between mainland working collies that were conveyed to England. Later on, it was extensively crossed with the Rough Collie and other breeds. Other Breeds such as King Charles Spaniel, The Pomeranian, Border collie, and the extinct Greenland yakki. 

Temperament 

The Shetland Sheepdog is a highly intelligent breed. Research done by Dr. Stanley Coren shows that the Sheltie has a 6th out of 8th ranking for intelligent dogs. Shelties are very good at understanding instructions. The sheltie will master a command given to it within 5 repetitions and subsequently respond to that command accordingly.  

Environment 

The Shetland Sheepdog is a breed of dog that is great in the home front. It is an ideal dog for a quiet family. It is very sensitive to manic sounds and this can seriously lead to some friction between the dog and the occupants of the home environment. 

Shelties get along quite well with kids; however, they should be made to get along with older kids to avoid a frosty relationship with toddlers. Toddlers are quite inquisitive, so one false move might lead to a counterproductive situation.  Also, a well-fenced home is an ideal environment for the Sheltie to thrive in and engage in some physical activities. 

Exercise 

Exercise is important for this dog breed. An important role exercise plays is that it helps to improve any dog breed’s health. The Sheltie is a very athletic dog that loves to run around and play. At least one hour of exercise daily is a good regimen for the Sheltie. Shelties can perform tasks for as long as you require them to, they are highly sociable and are usually happy when they have been giving a task to complete.  

Grooming 

Grooming the Shetland Sheepdog can be quite tedious. Committing yourself to the grooming of a Sheltie for the first time requires endurance and diligence. For a Sheltie owner to properly groom the Sheltie, the skill of handling a brush is required to brush deep down to the core.  Brushing the coats keeps the coat healthy, this subsequently prevents matting. You should note that the nature of the soft hair makes it prone to entanglement, so it is advisable to engage in regular brushing to keep the couch fur-free. 

Our Shetland Sheepdog puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country. 

The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering Shetland Sheepdog puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.

Contact us today to learn more about the availability of our Shetland Sheepdog puppies for sale. We look forward to helping you find your next family member. Our pet counselors can answer any questions you have about our Shetland Sheepdog puppies.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shetland Sheepdog 

1. Do Shetland Sheepdogs bark a lot? 

Yes, they seldom bark! The shelties can be very vocal and at the same time, they can be reserved. Socialization should always be incorporated into their developmental stage to boost their confidence. 

2. Are Shetland Sheepdogs easy to train? 

The Shetland Sheepdogs are highly sensitive and require more level of socialization than most breeds. They are highly responsive, attentive and easy to train. This depends on the texture of your voice. If your voice is manic, it tends to act erratically. 

3. Are Shetland Sheepdogs good family dogs? 

Sheltie’s personality trait plays a bigger role in its relationship with the family. They are sweet, loving, playful, gentle, affectionate and a joy to watch. When strangers come around, their guard dog instinct comes into effect with loud barks, to signal to its owner that an intruder is around. 

4. How long do Shetland Sheepdogs live? 

The Shetland Sheepdog has a lifespan of 12 – 13 years. 

5. Do Shelties like to Cuddle? 

If cuddling is a guilty pleasure, then Yes! Shelties love a good old-fashioned cuddle. They love sitting on your laps and waiting for your fingers to work their magic on their belly and their fur, talk about a five-star treatment! They are very loyal to their owners but are highly reserved towards strangers, this makes the bond between dog owner and dog, “extra special.” 

6. Are Shelties easy to train? 

Training requires patience on the owner’s part, but the Sheltie makes up for that with its ability to assimilate the commands given to it quicker than other dog breeds. With time, training your Sheltie will get easier because of their eagerness to please and loving nature. 

7. Are Shetland Sheepdogs related to Collies? 

Yes, they are! Collies and Shelties are descendants of Border collies; However, they are completely different dogs. 

8. How much Exercise does a Shetland Sheepdogs? 

Shelties are like clockwork. They’re always fired up to go, even when you have ended their exercise session. An exercise session of an hour daily is required for this dog breed.  

9. What do Shelties die from? 

Sheltie pass away from health conditions such as impaired vision or blindness, and hereditary eye diseases. Epileptic bouts and heart diseases are very serious threats to a Sheltie’s life. The severe blood-clotting disease is also a threat to the life of a Sheltie. 

Shelties are fun-loving pets to have around the house, they are very smart, inquisitive and instinctive when it comes to guarding you against strangers.  Grooming Shelties can be quite tedious, so if you’re someone who isn’t into all that stress, you’re advised to look for other options. Finally, Sheltie is a good-looking dog breed; However, the health problems it is prone to, tends to underscore the joy it brings to the family unit.