breed description
The Shetland Sheepdog is an agile, strong and lightly built breed of dog. These high-speed little dogs make quite the jumper. They are a combination of speed, stamina, intelligence, and agility that makes for an excellent herder. These breeds generally weigh around 14 to 18 pounds for males and 12 to 16 pounds for females, while commonly standing around 13 to 15 inches tall for males and reaching 12 to 14 inches tall for females. .
Coat
The Shetland Sheepdog is a double-coated breed with a long, harsh, straight outer coat and a short, shaggy undercoat. These dogs usually come in shades of black to sable to gold, or they can come in mahogany with markings of white or tan in varying sizes.
Activity
The Shetland Sheepdog has a strong herding instinct. They especially enjoy chasing and herding things like ducks, squirrels, and even children. They love having the opportunity to run in an open area. These dogs are very active and will require daily exercise to avoid behavioral problems.
Temper
The cuddly and affectionate Shetland Sheepdog makes an ideal companion. These enthusiastic, affectionate and intelligent dogs make excellent watchdogs, being wary of strangers. They generally get along very well with children and other animals, as long as they are well socialized. These are very obedient dogs and a joy to train.
General description
The Shetland Sheepdog has stood guard for farmers on the Shetland Islands in Scotland, keeping hungry sheep and birds out of their garden. They have even been used as herding dogs. Now, they are excellent family companions and very proficient in dog sports.
Care
The Shetland Sheepdog does not require as much grooming. They would require brushing twice a week with a pin brush to remove hair from the top coat. When doing this, be careful not to damage the undercoat. These dogs have a moderate shed and are typically shed twice a year.
Training
Due to the high intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog, training is usually successful and simple. It’s even easier, especially if training starts while they are still puppies. Not that it would be difficult to train an older one. They would still be trainable, using the correct training methods. They will do well in vocational training classes where they can be socialized and trained at the same time. This can usually be successful as this breed is highly intelligent and will learn quickly. Part of their overall personality is their inherent willingness to obey quickly, which makes training exceptionally easy for this breed. This is mainly due to its strong herding instinct that has been born with these herding breeds.
character
Loyal and devoted, the Shetland Sheepdog has a lively character with an eagerness to obey and please, making it easy to train. These are affectionate and loyal dogs that show their deep devotion to their family.
