Shetland Sheepdog Breeders Information and Resources for New Owners

If you're considering bringing a Shetland Sheepdog into your family, it's essential to find a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of their dogs.

Shetland Sheepdogs are a high-maintenance breed that requires regular grooming, so be prepared to commit to daily brushing and regular trimming.

They thrive on attention and interaction, so it's crucial to spend quality time with your Shetland Sheepdog daily.

A good breeder will have their dogs' bloodlines and health clearances readily available, so be sure to ask for this information when inquiring about a puppy.

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The Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, is a small to medium-sized dog breed originating from the Shetland Islands. They typically weigh between 25-40 pounds and stand 13-16 inches tall at the shoulder.

Shelties are known for their intelligence and trainability, making them a popular choice for first-time dog owners. They thrive on mental and physical stimulation, requiring regular exercise and engaging activities to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

Shelties are generally good with children and other pets, but as with any breed, early socialization and training are essential for a harmonious household.

If you're looking to bring home a new furry friend, you're in luck because there are Shetland Sheepdog puppies available for adoption.

You can find these adorable puppies at Animal Kingdom - Tucson Mall, or by calling 520-408-1750.

Some of the puppies have a birth date of July 28, 2024, so you can expect them to be around 6-7 months old when you bring them home.

Male Shetland Sheepdog puppies are also available, with a Ref ID of 42884.

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The Sheltie breed is a small to medium-sized dog, typically weighing around 14-27 pounds (6-12 kg). They originated in Scotland, specifically the Shetland Islands.

Shelties have a long double coat with a dense undercoat, and they come in various colors such as sable, black, and blue merle, often with white markings. Their coat requires regular brushing to prevent matting, especially during shedding seasons.

These dogs are intelligent, affectionate, and loyal, known for their herding instincts. They can be cautious around strangers but are generally good with families.

Shelties have moderate exercise requirements and need regular walks, playtime, and mental stimulation to keep them happy and prevent boredom. They excel in obedience and agility training, and positive reinforcement methods work well with them.

Here are some key characteristics of the Sheltie breed:

Shelties are prone to certain health issues, including hip dysplasia, eye conditions, and allergies. Regular veterinary care and a balanced diet are essential for their overall well-being.

Shetland Sheepdogs have a unique double coat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting. The undercoat is short and dense, while the outer coat is long and harsh.

To prevent matting, it's essential to brush your Sheltie all the way to the skin, at least once a week. This will help keep the undercoat from tangling and make grooming easier.

The coat of a Sheltie can come in four main colors: sable, tricolor, blue merle, and black and white or black and tan. Sable Shelties range in color from pale gold to mahogany, while blue merle Shelties have a silvery blue coat with splashed and marbled black.

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Here are the main coat colors and their characteristics:

In addition to regular brushing, Shelties need to be bathed only when they get really dirty. A proper Sheltie coat sheds dirt and repels water, so baths are not necessary unless your dog gets into something messy.

Trimming nails is also essential to keep your Sheltie's feet in good condition and prevent scratching. Short, neatly trimmed nails will keep your shins safe from scratches when your Sheltie jumps up to greet you.

Grooming your Sheltie from an early age will help them get used to it and make future grooming sessions easier. Start by handling their paws frequently and looking inside their mouth and ears. Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards.

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The Shetland Sheepdog is a breed that requires careful consideration when it comes to health and care. They are predisposed to several dermatological conditions, including allergic skin disease and cutaneous lupus.

Shetlands are also at risk for certain cancers, such as transitional cell carcinoma, which affects the bladder, and Sertoli cell tumour. A study found that they have four times the risk of other dogs developing transitional cell carcinoma.

To keep your Shetland happy and healthy, it's essential to provide them with ample exercise and mental stimulation. They need daily walks and playtime, and can thrive in an apartment as long as their owners are committed to providing regular exercise and training.

Shetlands are sensitive dogs that respond best to positive reinforcement, such as praise, play, and food rewards. They can become bored easily, so it's essential to keep training interesting and varied.

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The Shetland Sheepdog is a breed that's prone to several health issues.

Allergic skin disease, cutaneous drug eruptions, cutaneous histiocytosis, cutaneous or systemic lupus, dermatomyositis, and Sertoli cell tumour are just a few of the dermatological conditions it's predisposed to.

Transitional cell carcinoma, a cancer of the bladder, is four times more likely to affect Shetlands than other dogs.

Hip dysplasia is relatively rare in Shetlands, with only 4.2% of the breed affected, according to a study of over a million hip scores in dogs.

Von Willebrand disease, an inherited bleeding disorder, affects both type I and type III in Shetlands.

Collie eye anomaly, an autosomal recessive inherited trait, can cause incomplete closure of the embryonic fissure in Shetlands.

The MDR1 gene mutation causes sensitivity to certain drugs, including ivermectin, in Shetlands, which can lead to adverse reactions.

Ulcerative dermatosis of Shetland sheepdog and rough collie, also known as UDSSC, is an ulcerative dermatosis that affects the thigh, groin, axillae, and ventral abdomen.

Gall bladder mucocele is a condition that Shetlands are 93.87 times more likely to acquire than other dogs, according to a UK study.

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Shelties love living indoors with their people as part of the family, but they still need ample exercise to stay happy and healthy.

To keep your Sheltie active, try going for daily walks and playing fetch with the kids. They'll love running around the dining room table, and you'll get some exercise too.

Shelties can thrive in an apartment if their owners commit to providing regular walks and playtime, but this requires some finesse to avoid barking issues.

To train your Sheltie, focus on positive reinforcement like praise, play, and food rewards. They respond best to encouragement and will be more likely to listen if you make training interesting and fun.

Shelties can get bored easily, so mix up your training exercises and avoid repeating the same ones multiple times if they were done correctly the first time.

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The Shetland Sheepdog is a breed that's full of surprises, with a wide range of personalities to match. From outgoing and boisterous to shy and calm, every Sheltie is unique.

They're intensely loyal and gentle, always preferring to be with their people and following them from room to room. This loyalty can sometimes manifest as excessive barking if left untrained.

Shelties are highly intelligent and bright, which means they can be barkers and show-offs if they don't receive proper training. They'll eagerly perform tricks and run courses to please their owners.

The Shetland Sheepdog is a small but mighty breed. They stand between 13 and 16 inches tall at the shoulder.

Their compact size makes them a great fit for city living or for families with smaller spaces.

The Sheltie personality is a unique blend of loyalty, gentleness, and sensitivity. They're intensely loyal to their pack and will follow you from room to room.

Shelties can have a wide range of personalities, from outgoing and boisterous to calm and sedate, or even shy. Whatever their personality, they prefer to be with their people at all times.

Shelties are naturally reserved with strangers, but it's normal for them to be a bit timid or nervous at first. However, with proper socialization, they'll happily make friends with new people.

Early socialization is key to raising a well-rounded Sheltie puppy. This means exposing them to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences when they're young.

Shelties are intelligent and bright, and they love to show off their skills. They'll eagerly perform tricks and run courses for you if you train them properly.

Their loyalty and instinct to protect can sometimes manifest as excessive barking, especially if left untrained. This can be a problem for apartment owners, but consistent training can help.

Shelties are a great option for families or single working people because they're adaptable and can thrive in a variety of living situations. Just be sure to give them plenty of exercise, attention, and training to keep them happy and healthy.

Shelties are excellent family companions, especially when they're raised with children who know how to handle dogs respectfully.

Supervising all interactions between dogs and young kids is crucial to prevent biting or ear-pulling from either party.

Never leave dogs and young children alone together.

Shelties have a definite preference for their own kind, even if they don't live with other Shelties. They're usually immediately friendly and willing to play with other Shelties on first introduction.

They tend to be standoffish with new dogs of other breeds, however.

Shetland Sheepdogs excel in dog agility, obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding. They dominate these fields due to their intelligence and athletic ability.

If you're new to dog sports, start by understanding the basics. Intro to Dog Sports is a great place to begin, covering the fundamentals of dog sports and what to expect.

Shetland Sheepdogs are incredibly smart, ranking sixth in Dr. Stanley Coren's study of 132 breeds by understanding a new command after being told it fewer than five times on average. They will need a job to keep them occupied and provide mental stimulation.

You can enroll your Shetland Sheepdog in canine partners programs, which cater to mixed breeds. Titles & Abbreviations will help you navigate the world of dog sports.

To determine which sport is right for you and your Shetland Sheepdog, consider their energy level and interests. If they enjoy chasing squirrels, herding might be a good fit.

Get Started in Dog Training to learn how to effectively train your Shetland Sheepdog. Virtual Dog Sports & Events are also a great way to participate in dog sports from the comfort of your own home.

Here are some popular dog sports to consider:

Shetland Sheepdogs are highly intelligent dogs, ranking sixth in intelligence among 132 breeds studied by Dr. Stanley Coren. They're known to understand new commands after just a few repetitions.

Their compact size makes them suitable for both apartments and houses. They're a small to medium-sized breed with an elegant and well-proportioned build.

Shelties are energetic dogs that require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom. They're naturally inclined to herd, which can manifest in their behavior, such as nipping at heels.

Here are some key characteristics of the Shetland Sheepdog breed:

The Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, has a rich history that dates back to the Shetland Islands of Scotland. They were originally bred as working sheepdogs, with a strong herding instinct that still manifests in their behavior today.

The breed was developed from a Spitz-type dog, possibly similar to the modern Icelandic Sheepdog, which was bred with the Yakki, an Icelandic dog that accompanied whalers from Greenland. This unique combination of breeds resulted in a dog with a distinctive appearance and temperament.

Shelties were not developed by simply breeding down the Rough Collie, but rather by selectively breeding a Spitz-type dog with other breeds to achieve the desired characteristics. The first club for the breed called for a dog similar to the Rough Collie, but smaller in size.

The breed was originally referred to as the Shetland Collie, but was later changed to Shetland Sheepdog due to opposition from collie breed clubs. The Kennel Club originally refused to recognize the breed, but later agreed to do so on the condition that the name was changed.

Here are some key dates in the breed's history:

Despite their small size, Shelties have a strong herding instinct that makes them well-suited to their original purpose as working sheepdogs.

The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the Sheltie, is a small but mighty breed that originated in Scotland. They're highly intelligent and energetic dogs, making them quick learners and excellent candidates for dog sports and obedience training.

Their compact size, ranging from 13 to 16 inches in height, makes them suitable for both apartments and houses. They have a double coat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting and to manage shedding.

Shelties are known for their loyalty and affection towards their families, often forming close bonds with their owners. They're generally good with children, making them a popular choice for families.

Their strong herding instinct can manifest in their behavior, such as nipping at heels or chasing squirrels and rabbits. To prevent this, it's essential to provide them with a fenced yard where they can play safely and be prevented from seeking out animals, people, or cars to "herd."

Shelties are quick to adapt to various living situations and can thrive in urban or rural environments, provided they receive enough mental and physical stimulation. They have a longer lifespan, often living between 12 to 15 years with proper care.

Here's a brief rundown of the key characteristics of Shelties: