Sunday, August 9, 2009

Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie): The Diminutive Herder of Shetland Island, Scotland

By Troy Richardson

Perhaps, one of the most mysterious dog breeds around the world is the Shetland Sheepdog or simply known as the Sheltie, because of its undistinguished origin and reasons behind its intriguing temperament. This breed is a tiny creature that formerly strive on the rocky terrains of Shetland Island in Scotland. Its appearance resembles that of a Collie only it was never intentionally bred to look as such.

It is concluded that the main contributors for the development of the Sheltie are the Scottish Rough Collie, Pomeranian, Greenland Yakki (now extinct), and the King Charles Spaniel. During it's prominence in Shetland Island, this little breed was believed to do herding tasks just like any other Collies. It was discovered though that while its larger look-alike herded stocks, this breed did the chasing and herding of smaller creatures such as ducks, squirrels and vermin.

Today, the Sheltie is a well-known family pet and companion and it excels in this field outstandingly. Moreover, additional likable disposition of the Sheltie is its eagerness to please the master, obedience and extreme loyalty. With proper and correct training, the Sheltie is a potential skillful dog and reliable household companion.

A Sheltie that was not properly exposed to new people when it is young will shy away from strangers during its adult days. This breed is a possible great playmate to humans especially to children therefore, it is best to socialize them whence they are young. Children should be instructed and guided, too, on how to treat the Sheltie so as to avoid accidents like trampling of the tiny dog.

Although never really believed to be a herder then, the Sheltie of today has an eager herder instinct that most of the time comes out through its irrepressible desire to chase and herd other creatures. Because of this, it needs to be always kept busy and so activities such as running and chasing around within a wide spaced area is necessary. The Sheltie is not hyper active; just make sure to give it the right amount of activities in order to keep its physical and mental health in shape.

The normal height of the Sheltie is 13 to 16 inches while its normal weight is between 14 to 27 pounds. It has an outer coat and an inner coat wherein the outer coat is long, coarse and dense and acts as a water-guard. The inner coat is somewhat softer and serves as a comforter against hot or cold temperatures.

The general colors of the Sheltie are sable, tri-colour and blue merle. The sable is either golden or mahogany and the tri-colour is white, black and tan. The blue merle is composed of grey, white, black and tan.

In 1909, the first Sheltie was first registered in the English Kennel Club and in 1911; the first Sheltie was registered in the American Kennel Club. This breed, even if not intended to be a herder, has a natural affinity in herding smaller creatures which is often seen through its chasing smaller animals. What's certain, however, that herder or not, the Sheltie is still recognized as an outstanding pet of families around the world.

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