Elliott's Shasta Sheltie's��
Sheltie Information
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Introduction
Physical Characteristics
Appearance
Size
Weight
Coat Color/Markings
Life Span
Other Characteristics
History
Shelties in other countries
Temperament
Character
Care
Grooming
Sheltie Ears
Diet/Nutrition
Activity
Health
Special Considerations
Showing Requirements
Introduction
What is a Sheltie?
Sheltie is short for Shetland Sheepdog, a herding breed that originates from the Shetland Islands near Scotland and has been breed in the U.S. since the early 1900's..� Sheltie's are often called  "Mniature Collies" by the non-educated, as they look like a rough collie in miniature, but they are actually a totally separate breed with differences in structure and temperament.
The Sheltie is a handsome and graceful dog.� This breed has a very intelligent and inquisitive expression, added to by the dark, slightly slanted eyes.� Strong swift and nimble, these dogs are energetic and have lots of character. The Shetland Sheepdog has a very gentle and affectionate temperament, making him the ideal companion.� This breed is eager, intelligent and loving, although they are very wary of strangers.� The Shetland Sheepdog can get on well with other animals and children providing he is properly socialized as a youngster.� They are very obedient dogs, and are a pleasure to train.
Physical Characteristics
Appearance:
The general appearance of the Shetland Sheepdog has a long, straight,  top coat and a soft, furry under coat.� The Shetland Sheepdog comes in a variety of colors including black, white, blue and tan.
Size:
Predicting sheltie size is very difficult for even the most experienced of breeders.
The standard for shelties states that they should measure between 13" and 16" at the shoulder.� Most fall into the upper half of this range.� Shelties were once crossed with the larger collie to improve the breed and large Shelties's will still be found today as a result.� It is not unknown for a sheltie to approach a small collie in size. Small shelties are more rare, but will show up in a litter as well.
A Shelties's height is not an indication of its health, soundness or temperament.
Weight:
The weight of the male Shetland Sheepdog is around 14-18 pounds, with females reach approximately 12-16 pounds. The average weight is around 20 pounds with some Sheltie's reaching 40 pounds.
Coat Color/Markings:
Shelties come in a variety of colors.� Although genetically, there are only two sheltie coat colors, black and brown, many terms are used to describe the different shades of Sheltie. The Sheltie is a double-coated breed there fore they do require brushing often. A sheltie will normally be fully mature by the time it is 3-5 years of age.� Don't expect your puppy to have a really beautiful coat until then.
Sable. Shelties are brown or tan, with coats ranging from pale lemon or ginger through mahogany. The darker ones usually have black guard hairs over the brown. These are called "shaded sables" or "tri-factored sables". Some sables, both light and dark, have a red cast to their coats, hence the term "red sables". Sables usually have white markings, but these may range from very prominent to almost non-existent. Regardless of the amount of white, or the amount of black or red cast, all brown Shelties should be registered with the AKC as sables.
Black. Shelties are registered with the AKC as tri-colors when they have white and tan markings, and as bi-blacks when they are marked with white only. When black Shelties have a coppery cast to their coat, this is called "rusting". Rusting (which is often aggravated by exposure to the sun) is faulted in the show ring, but in no way affects a Sheltie's value as a pet or performance dog (e.g. one who competes in agility, obedience, tracking, herding, etc.).
Blue merle. Shelties are genetically black dogs, whose coat color has been modified by the merling gene. This makes them appear to be dappled silver and black, usually with black patches. Blue merles also differ from other Shelties in that they may have blue or brown eyes (or one of each), or merle eyes, which appear to be both brown and blue. This does not indicate any vision deficiency. Blue merles are also usually marked with varying amounts of white, and may or may not have tan markings. Those without tan markings are called Bi-blues.
There are two kinds of white Shelties. One type is the color-headed white. "White factor" determines the Sheltie's so-called "Dutch" or "Irish"  markings (the white collar, bib and cuffs) which are associated with Lassie but are not required for the show ring. Some heavily white-factored dogs have white haunches and legs, a huge white collar, and completely white shoulders and forelegs. Such a dog may have so much white on its body that only a "saddle"or a few patches of color remain. Its head, however, contains no more white than any other Sheltie's might. (This is similar to what is called parti-color in other breeds). At present, the AKC Standard severely penalizes any show Sheltie that is over 50% white, which prevents them from earning championships. Color-headed white Collies have long been accepted in the show ring, and some fanciers argue that color-headed white Shelties should not be discriminated against in the show ring. In any event, these color-headed whites are completely normal. They compete at non-AKC shows, and AKC welcomes them in obedience, agility, and other AKC sports. Color-headed white Shelties are entirely suitable as pets.
The same cannot usually be said for the so-called "double" merles or homozygous merles which can result from merle-merle breedings. (Usually the parents are both blues, but there are rare sable merles as well. Sheltie color genetics are very complicated, and no one should attempt breeding without a thorough understanding of all the possibilities.) The "double merle"usually has a great deal of white on its head as well as its body. These dogs are often blind, unless a black patch appears over an eye, and may also be deaf unless a black patch appears over an ear. They frequently have heart and other problems as well, and are generally not recommended as pets. Some unscrupulous breeders advertise these for sale as "rare white Shelties" -- an unconscionable practice.
With the exception of the "double" merle described above, Shelties of all colors make equally satisfactory companions. There is no connection between a Sheltie's temperament or trainability and its coat color. Although the sables continue to be popular with the public, many breed fanciers prefer the blue merles and tricolors
Life Span:
The average lifespan for a Sheltie is 14-18 years of age.
Other characteristics:
Shelties may show similar variation in other characteristics. Some have the broad back skull and heavy ears of the early farm collies. Others possess the tiny, foxy faces and prick ears that were common among their early island antecedents. Some Shelties are finely built and dainty looking, while others are heavily boned, with long heads, necks and/or backs. While most people find the above as endearing as any champion, it does mean that your pet Sheltie might look quite different from the one down the street.
Despite their thick coats, Shelties are not suitable for year-round outdoor living, except in the mildest climates. They should always be protected from extremes of heat and cold. Moreover, banishing a Sheltie to back yard, barn or basement is cruel. Shelties are sociable animals and hate being isolated from their people. Those who feel abandoned can readily develop destructive behavioral problems, such as excessive barking, chewing or digging. On the other hand, you don't need to let a Sheltie have run of the house when you are gone. The breed has a strong denning instinct, and they can be readily trained to stay in a crate. (This takes time however, so don't buy a crate and expect the dog to stay happily in it the first day!) Crates are also a great aid in housebreaking and will keep your youngster from gnawing on cords, etc. when he is bored.
While some Shelties are sedate and enjoy the quiet life, many modern Shelties have relatively high exercise requirements. Some experts recommend a two-mile daily walk. Shelties often take great joy in such sports as obedience, fly-ball, Frisbee, herding, agility, and tracking. However, although the breed has an impressive record of achievement in these activities, not all Shelties are built to work, and sports enthusiasts may need to take greater care than in some breeds to insure getting a sound prospect for competition.
History
As the name implies, the Shetland Sheepdog ("Sheltie") is indigenous�� to the Shetland Islands, which lie in the wild seas between Scotland��and Norway.  A land of brooding, barren beauty, Shetland and its� elusive natives have long figured prominently in European mythology.�� This probably explains the more fanciful notions about the Sheltie's�� origins: nineteenth-century Scots called them "peerie" (fairy) dogs,�� and a more recent writer has attempted to link them with the�� prehistoric Picts.��

In fact, the incessant storms that sweep the North Atlantic, rather�� than pixies or fairies, account for Shetland's other- worldly aura, as�� well as the centuries of austerity endured by its inhabitants. With�� topsoil and vegetation constantly threatened by erosion, Shetlanders�� of necessity practiced economy in all things. The ponies, cattle and�� sheep so essential to the local livelihood were turned out to forage,�� while the few crops cultivated were sheltered in walled gardens on the�� tiny "toons"  (from the Norwegian tun, for "farm"). However, the two�� means of subsistence often came into conflict when the nimble Shetland�� animals jumped the stone walls to feast on the tender sprouts growing�� within.���

By the middle of the nineteenth century, the thrifty islanders had�� begun to breed small agile dogs, which they called "toonies"  to keep�� the ponies and sheep off the "toons" and out of the crops. Little is�� known of the dogs' ancestry. An earlier, larger sheepdog of Shetland,�� various British working collies, the Icelandic Yakkie, and dwarf�� spaniels may all have contributed genes, but nothing is recorded of�� the Shelties' history until close to the end of the century.�� ��

�British fanciers' interest in the toonies apparently coincided with�� the depletion of their numbers. By the late 1800's, sailors from�� whaling vessels were reportedly carrying many of the little island�� dogs off to serve as ships' dogs, or as gifts for loved ones back�� home. Maxwell Riddle has suggested that the first Shelties may have�� arrived in America this way. As they would have been pets, rather than�� show or breeding stock, their genes do not survive in today's AKC�� Shelties.�� ��

�The first breeders to take on the task of  "preserving and purifying:� the toonies soon developed serious differences. Some sought to�� perpetuate the characteristics of the crofters' dogs, which were�� described in a publication of the day as 10-11"  tall, weighing 6-10�� lbs, "pretty, intelligent and hardy". However, other breeders saw the�� toonies as little more than mongrels, and in need of considerable�� refinement.�� ��

�The latter group sought to strengthen what they perceived to be the�� toonie's best traits by crossing them with small rough Collies (at the�� turn of the century, British Collies were not nearly as large as�� today's American standard Collies). This practice was accepted at the�� time by the [English] Kennel Club, which required documentation for�� three generations before progeny could be registered. These "declared�� crosses" produced a somewhat bigger dog, which was called the �����Shetland�� Collie. Subsequent efforts to bring the dogs' size back down by�� selective crosses with toy breeds resulted in a loss of Collie type�� and were soon abandoned.�� ��

�The Kennel Club recognized the Shetland Collie in 1909, and a year�� later, the first representative of the new breed was registered with�� the American Kennel Club. In 1914, following a series of objections by�� Collie fanciers, the Shetland Collie was officially renamed the�� Shetland Sheepdog. A World War I breeding ban in Britain significantly�� set back the Sheltie's progress, but after it was lifted, American�� fanciers began to import more Shelties, and by 1929, there were enough�� enthusiasts to form the American Shetland Sheepdog Association. ASSA�� held its first specialty show in 1933.��

���Imports from England continued until the 1950's, when American and�� British Shelties began to diverge greatly in type. This may be partly�� attributable to American Collie crosses which remain undocumented, as�� AKC has always forbidden cross-breeding. It may also result from the�� fact that the English standard has long declared an ideal height for�� all Shelties (14" for bitches; 14.5"  for dogs), while the American�� standard does not give preference to any height between 13 and 16�� inches. (Prior to adoption of the present standard in the 1950's,�� American Sheltie champions could be as tall as 18"). Today Shelties�� from the two countries are distinctly different, and U.S.-U.K. imports�� are rare.�� �

��While Sheltie numbers increased steadily in the United States, for�� many years they remained considerably less well known than their�� Collie cousins. By 1980, however, the situation had reversed, and in�� contrast to the larger breed, the Shetland Sheepdog has appeared on�� AKC's list of the ten most popular dogs twelve of the past fifteen�� years. By the early 1990's, however, Sheltie popularity seems to have�� peaked, and as with a number of popular purebreds, Sheltie�� registrations are now dropping dramatically. In 1992, they were the #9�� breed with 43,449 individual registrations. In 1993, they were #10,�� with 41,113 registrations. The most recent AKC statistics (published�� in April 1995 for 1994) record Sheltie 36,853 registrations, putting�� the breed now at #13.
Shelties in other countries
Shelties in Japan
The first Sheltie to come to Japan by "official channels" was brought here in 1955 by Kameo Kido. Before leaving the U.S., Geronimo Jackpot had been bred to Ch. Geronimo Crown Prince. In Japan, she whelped one female pup. Kido then imported Geronimo Prince Regent to be her male counterpart. The Geronimo line never developed very far in Japan, however, and no more from this line were brought to Japan after they peaked out.
The Shelties coming out of the Page's Hill kennel fared much better. They were imported by the Green Hill kennel of the Japan Shetland Sheepdog Club (JSSC), and included Ch. Stronghold O'Page's Hill, the first American Sheltie champion to be brought to Japan. Mr. Ohashi of Green Hill imported this dog after careful research of the breed, and he subsequently imported other outstanding dogs from this line, in the process creating a strain of Japanese Shelties quite different from those that preceded it.
Most of the other Shelties that were introduced to Japan in later years came from American kennels. The majority of Shelties now in Japan are registered with the AKC. A third are registered with the Japan Kennel Club and a mere handful (just over 3,000) with the English Kennel Club. Meanwhile, Japanese breeders have been producing their own strains, some quite lovely. Since the AKC refuses to recognize any of these, they are registered instead with the JKC.
The Japanese public soon fell in love with these dogs, and in the 1980's the Shetland Sheepdog became the most popular registered breed in Japan. The number of Sheltie registrations peaked in 1988, then started dropping. In 1992 the Sheltie was the third most popular dog in Japan. (Many Shibas and other Japanese breeds remain unregistered in their native land.) Since then the popularity of this breed has continued to decline, falling to tenth place in 1997 and all the way to 15th in 1998.
Japanese tend to have fickle tastes when it comes to dogs. The Sheltie's looks and gentleness with children contributed to their initial appeal. Today there are fewer children, and the Sheltie's tendency to run around excitedly and bark loudly is a definite disadvantage in a crowded city like Tokyo. The current darling is the Dachshund, especially the miniatures with nearly 60,000 JKC registrations in 1998, followed by the Shih Tzu and then Goldens. Still, the Sheltie has established itself as a well-recognized breed in Japan, even if the initial fad has come and gone.
Temperament
The Shetland Sheepdog is an outstanding companion dog with a delightful temperament. It is lively, intelligent, trainable, and willing to please and obey. Shelties are loving, loyal, and affectionate with their family, but are naturally aloof with strangers and might not appreciate being petted by someone they do not know; for this reason Shelties must be socialized extensively. Most Shelties, if encouraged, will warm up to strangers if given time. Some can be quite reserved and some have varying degrees of shyness. Although they are excellent family pets, Shelties do especially well with children if they are raised with them from an early age; however, their small size makes it easy for a child to accidentally injure them, so supervision is necessary.
Shelties have a reputation as vocal dogs, but that might be undeserved. Ill-bred dogs often display a terrier-like personality--hyper and yappy, always on the go--but can just as easily be overly timid and may become a fear-biter. The intelligent Sheltie can be trained to be an excellent watch dog, and not yappy, giving two or three barks to alert its owner to a person at the door or to something amiss. However, three or more Shelties constitute a pack, and thus barking is harder to control.
Unlike some dog breeds, males and females make equally good pets. The main difference is that males tend to have more impressive coats, and unspayed females will 'blow' coat after every heat cycle.
The herding instinct is still strong in many Shelties. They love to chase things, including squirrels, ducks, and children, and when people are milling around the yard, Shelties sometimes try to "herd"  the people into a group by running around, barking, and nipping at heels. This tendency appears most when children run around the yard in a group.
Shelties usually love to play. They do best with a sensitive, yet firm, owner. The Sheltie is, above all, an intelligent herder and likes to be kept busy, although their activity level usually coincides with their owner's level.
Character
A sweet disposition, this loveable breed does have a very strong herding instinct often nipping at ankles and chasing cars.� This is a home breed and should not be kept in a kennel like environment. �The Shetland Sheepdog is very affectionate and lovely, yet can be protective of his owner and/or territory.� This dog loves being an in-home companion and would gladly lie down on the couch next to his family.
Care
Grooming:
Shelties have a double coat. The topcoat consists of long, straight, water-repellent hair, which provides some protection from cold and the elements. The undercoat is short, furry, and very dense in order to help keep the dog warm. The Sheltie is usually a clean dog and should only need to be brushed once or twice a week (it is helpful to spray-mist with water when brushing). Mats can be commonly found behind the ears, under the elbow on each front leg, and in the fluffy fur on the hind legs (the "skirts"). It is easiest to teach a dog to tolerate, or even enjoy, grooming if they are shown that it is a pleasurable thing from a young age. Breeders usually teach the dogs to lie on their side, be brushed, and then flip over to the other side.
Toenails and hair between the pads need to be trimmed every couple of weeks.
Show dogs may require more frequent brushing to keep their coats in top condition. Regular brushing encourages undercoat growth, distributes healthful oils produced by the skin, and prevents sores known as "hotspots" which can occur when dead undercoat is allowed to accumulate close to the skin.
Most Shelties learn to love the attention that grooming provides, if the routine is started when the dog is still young.
Sheltie Ears:
Shelties' ears are required to bend slightly or "tip" at the top to be qualified to show in AKC shows. If a dog's ears are not bent (referred to as prick ears) it is acceptable to help the ears along to the desired position by bracing them into the correct position and leaving them on for several weeks. Wideset ears can also be a problem, often breaking too low down (referred to as 'hound' ears). These are often harder to correct than prick ears, and must be braced early and consistently throughout the first year. It is easiest to train a dog's ears when the dog is in its first year and the cartilage has not stiffened much.
Diet/Nutrition:
The Shetland Sheepdog has no special diet, but like other breeds needs a healthy, balanced diet for optimum health.� A diet rich in dry, complete food can help to provide oral health as well as vital nutrients.� Make sure he always has access to fresh, clean water
Activity:
The Shetland Sheepdog loves to run, and you should let him run free when in a safe area, such as a fenced of garden or field.� However, do not let him off the leash whilst walking as this breed loves to chase things-including cars-and this could result in fatal consequences.
Health
Shetland Sheepdogs are popular as a dog breed in the United States. This popularity however, has produced some unfortunate results.  As with any "popular"  breed of dog, puppy mills and "back-yard breeders" are attracted to market demands and an opportunity to make a quick buck.  These "grab the money breeders"  do not care about producing a quality animal or maintaining a sound gene pool.  The results of this uncaring puppy production is the proliferation of genetically unstable and medically unsound animals.
Quality Shetland Sheepdogs are relatively sound, long-lived animals.Reputable Shetland Sheepdog breeders have taken on the responsibility of cleansing the gene pool to eventually eliminate  the problems within this breed. Responsible Shetland Sheepdog breeders will have all of their breeding stock tested  and/or certified for the following medical conditions:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
As the name states Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a progressively degenerative eye disorder. It is hereditary in nature and detectable through screening.  Both parents should be registered with the CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation).  For more information regarding this condition please see.
Collie Eye Anomoly (CEA)
Shetland sheepdogs being "evolutionary cousins" to Collies are prone to CEA (sometimes referred to as Sheltie Eye Syndrome SES).  This eye disorder results in the dog having "blind spots".  This conditional is not a life threatening disorder and the animals are capable of having normal, full lives. It is only through screening and selective breeding that this problem will be eliminated. For more information regarding this condition please see.
Corneal Dystrophy (CD)
Corneal Dystrophy is a hereditary eye disease affecting only the cornea.  The impact of this disorder comes in varying degrees and the age of onset can vary with type. It is only through selective breeding that this disorder can be reduced in the the Shetland Sheepdog population.  For more information regarding this condition please see.
von Willebrand's Disease (vWD)
von Willebrand's disease is a hereditary bleeding disorder.  It impacts the dog's ability to clot blood (similar to hemophilia).  This disorder is found in both males and females. For more information regarding this condition please see.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is the result of an improper setting of the femur into the hip socket. There are numerous combinations of types and degrees found in dogs. Both parents should be OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) cleared prior to breeding. For more information regarding this condition please see.
Hypothyroidim
Hypothyroism is a condition caused by the under-activity of the dog's thyroid gland. It is usually controllable through medication, although the dog will have to be on thyroid supplements its entire life. For more information regarding this condition please see.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy in Shelties is a hereditary seizure disorder.  Dogs with epilepsy should not be breed and a responsible breeder will remove dog's producing epileptic pups from their breeding program. For more information regarding this condition please see.
Shetland Sheepdogs were developed as a breed with a working (herding) purpose in mind. They are sound, active, intelligent, and healthy animals. The key to obtaining a good Shetland Sheepdog is to only deal with a responsible breeder.  Someone who has screened for genetic faults, who has their focus on producing the best animals they can - not lining their pockets.
Shetland Sheepdogs have and unusual sensitivity to Ivermectin. Shelties, Collies and several related breeds can not use this ingredient in Heartworm or other worming products.
Special Considerations
While Shetland Sheepdogs possess many delightful qualities that make them rewarding companions, they have two traits that may give pause to potential pet-owners. They shed and they bark. Before acquiring a Sheltie, consider carefully whether you are willing to assume the special responsibilities associated with these.
The Sheltie is a double-coated breed and requires a minimum of one thorough brushing a week to maintain cleanliness and health. During sheds, daily attention is a must. Most adult, neutered or spayed Shelties cast coat once a year. When youngsters their puppy coat, it seems as if there is fur everywhere, but this only happens once. Generally, dogs (males) have heavier coats than bitches, and of course the bigger the adult Sheltie, the more coat there will be. Unspayed bitches molt the most, shedding with each seasonal cycle, rather than annually -- one more argument for having your female fixed as soon as possible. (Bitches also lose much of their coat after each litter. Don't be disappointed if your pup's dam appears to be skimpily clad. Your spayed or neutered pet Sheltie need never look that naked!)
The other challenge to owning a Sheltie is that they are barkers. To some extent, this varies with the individual, but as a breed they are known to be vocal. And unlike some smaller breeds which are barky but have voices, Shelties possess a penetrating bark. Your neighbors may not appreciate the fact that your dog's ancestors lived close to the ocean, and had to make themselves heard over the crashing surf, the call of sea animals, the bleating of lambs, and the howl of high winds. Train your Sheltie early to stop barking once you have determined that there is nothing to be concerned about. If you are unsure how to do this, ask your breeder or veterinarian for the name of a reputable trainer. Two or more Shelties can be next to impossible to keep quiet, which is why many multiple-Sheltie owners have some of their dogs de-barked. You may want to discuss this option with your breeder or veterinarian as well.
Showing Requirements
As with all breeds of dogs there is a certain set of rules that must be followed in order to show them. Shetland Sheepdogs must be within their required height of 13-15 inches for males, and 12-14 inches for females. Shetland Sheepdogs must have slightly bent or "tipped" ears. In the United States under American Kennel Club standards, Shetland Sheepdogs must be within required height of 13-16 inches for male and females.
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