TheShetlandSheepdog,alsoknownastheSheltie,isasmalltomedium-sizedherdingdogbreedthatoriginatedinScotland,specificallytheShetlandIslands.Despitetheirname,theyarenotactuallyasmallerversionoftheScottishSheepdog,alsoknownastheBorderCollie.
Infact,theShetlandSheepdogissaidtohavedescendedfromtheRoughCollie,aswellassomeSpitz-typebreedsthatwereusedforherdingintheislands.Theywereoriginallybredtobehardworkingherdingdogs,abletomoveandcontrollivestock,butalsosmallenoughtofitintosmallspacesandwithstandtheharshclimateoftheislands.
TheShetlandSheepdogisahighlyintelligentbreed,knownfortheirloyalty,obe*nce,andkeensenses.Theyaretypicallyveryfriendlyandaffectionatewiththeirowners,butcanbeshyorreservedaroundstrangers.Theyarealsohighlytrainable,andexcelatobe*nceandagilitycompetitions.
Physically,theShetlandSheepdogisasmalltomedium-sizeddog,weighingbetween15and25pounds,andstanding13-16inchestallattheshoulder.Theyhavealong,thickdoublecoatthatrequiresregulargroomingtopr*ntmattingandtangles.Theycomeinavarietyofcolors,includingvariousshadesofsable,tri-color,bluemerle,andblack.
Overall,theShetlandSheepdogisagreatchoiceforafamilypet,especiallyforthosewhoarelookingforanintelligentandactivedog.Theyareaffectionateandloyal,andthriveonattentionfromtheirowners.How*r,duetotheirherdinginstincts,itisimportanttosocializethemearlyandprovidethemwithplentyofmentalandphysicalstimulationtopr*ntboredomanddestructivebehavior.