Shetland Sheepdog
Group: Pastoral
Size: Medium
Coat length: Medium
Grooming required: Every day
Coat sheds: No
Home size: Small or Large House
Garden size: Small/Medium
Lifespan: Over 10 Years
Exercise: Up to 1 hour per day
They are a small dog that looks like a miniature Rough Coated Collie: fine featured with a long double coat that has a mane around the neck and chest. Their coat comes in blue merle, sable and black with varying amounts of white and/or tan.
They were bred in the 1700s to guard and herd sheep in the Shetland Islands, off the coast of Scotland. They are eager to please, affectionate and extremely intelligent. They are very trainable with plenty of energy and do particularly well at sports such as agility and obedience. They can be a little reserved around strangers but are generally fine with children and other dogs. Although active indoors, they are a breed with a good deal of energy that needs a daily walk too and they love to chase things.
Regular brushing is important to keep the coat looking good and they are a seasonal heavy shedder. They can have malformed or diseased eyes and are prone to hypothyroidism and kneecap problems. They can also be allergic to certain medicines.