Sheltie: a description of the dogs, color variations and features of the content

Sheltie or Shetland Sheepdog - a miniature breed of dog popular in England and Scotland. Its representatives differ from their relatives by their small stature, bright and multifaceted colors, as well as their incredibly active and cheerful character, which together makes the dog ideal for keeping at home.

It is hard to imagine, but the homeland of these extraordinary dogs, which can sometimes be found on Russian streets, is distant Scotland. It was on the Shetland Islands that several hundred years ago the distant ancestors of these dogs came on the ships of immigrants from the mainland. These animals were used to help shepherds, protect and walk animals. The fertile Scottish vegetation and spacious mountain valleys have become an ideal pasture for breeding small cattle: sheep and goats.

For example, with Spitz, from which these dogs received a soft and fluffy coat, as well as a variety of colors. Over time, these shepherd dogs have already deliberately been crossed with representatives of other breeds for the inheritance of certain external or physical qualities. According to some reports: the following dog breeds participated in the formation of the Sheltie breed: Border Collie, King Charles Spaniel, Schipperke, Icelandic and Greenland cattle dogs.

Initially, the ancestors of the Sheltie were used exclusively in shepherding activities - their small size allowed these dogs to freely and quickly manage the average herds of sheep.The Shelters not only watched the beating sheep, but also helped to drive the whole herd at the end of the working day from the place of grazing to the corral, they informed the shepherds with a loud bark about the arrival of the herd.

The Shelters were an ideal shepherd dog for the Scottish lands - they had a light but strong body and strong legs that allowed them to quickly move even through the most difficult territories. In addition, the long hair of these dogs allowed them to successfully tolerate a humid Scottish climate and significant temperature differences.

The turning point in the formation of this breed of shepherd dogs was the beginning of the 19th century, when larger and stronger sheep breeds were bred using selection. New breeds found a real sensation among British farmers: these individuals were more hardy, large and healthy. However, this extremely negatively affected the distribution of Shetland Sheepdog dogs.

The fact is that the new individuals were more wayward and stronger than the previous breeds, and therefore many sheep simply refused to obey and obey the small sheltie. This led to the almost complete disappearance of Sheltie in Scotland. Very soon, instead of these dogs, the herds began to be guarded by stronger and larger dogs - specially bred shepherd shepherds.

The active restoration and development of Shetland Sheepdogs took British breeders. The first club of this breed was founded in 1908 by the British breeder James Loggy in the capital of the Shetland Islands Lerwick. Loggy not only opened the Sheltie breed club, but also sought to standardize this breed.

According to the original idea, these dogs should have been called the Scottish Collie, but this name was criticized negatively by the owners of purebred collies. In the future, these dogs were given a different name. - Shetland Sheepdogswhich is used to this day.

By the beginning of the XX century, the first individuals of the Sheltie came to North America, where they were widely used among American dog handlers and breeders of decorative dog breeds. Unfortunately, the identity and official status came to these dogs only after the Second World War (1948). Prior to this, not a single American or British cynological association decided to give these dogs an official status due to the too great external similarity of these dogs to the collie breed. Despite late recognition, the standard of these dogs was finally formed by 1914.

In Russia, these dogs appeared only in the 90s of the XX century. Despite the unusual exterior and attractive external data, the sheltie did not receive much popularity, as, indeed, the collie.

It is easy for an inexperienced breeder to confuse Sheltie and Scottish Collie - these dogs are almost identical at first glance: both breeds have the same long hair, pointed muzzle and small erect ears. This similarity of breeds has developed thanks to numerous breeding experiments to unify the breed qualities of Sheltie. In these experiments, individuals from many other dog breeds were used, however, the basis for the creation of the breed was the genetic material of Spitz and Scottish collies.

Unlike tall and stately collies, sheltie have less impressive sizes.

As mentioned above, the first standard of this breed was formed back in 1914, after which it did not undergo significant changes.

• Average weight. These dogs are classified as miniature dog breeds - as a rule, they weigh at least 5 and not more than 10 kilograms.Sheltie specimens with minor deviations from the norm are rare, but this is not considered a strict violation of the standard.
• Medium height. Not surprisingly, some have designated this breed of dog as a “mini collie." If any kind of collie can reach a height of 70 centimeters at the withers, then the optimal growth for dwarf shelti is 35-37 centimeters (adult females and males, respectively). Regarding growth, deviations of no more than 2.5 centimeters from the standard are allowed.
• Head and face. Small elongated type, wedge-shaped. The muzzle tapers to the nose. The skull is flat, there is no pronounced tubercle on the back of the head. Stop expressed slightly. Flat cheekbones near the muzzle are clearly visible.
• Nose. The lobe is small, but well developed with large nostrils. The color is exceptionally black.
• Teeth and oral cavity. Jaws are slender and elastic, well developed. Scissor bite. A special plus in the exterior is an even dentition of 42 teeth.
• The ears. Not particularly large, placed at a short distance from each other. In a calm state they are laid back, in a state of excitement they stand upright, the auricles are looking forward.
• Eyes. Sheltie's eyes are small, oval, set slightly obliquely. The eyelids are snug against the eyeball, black in color. In rocks with a dark color, the iris is brown in color, in light individuals (for example, marble color), the presence of blue color with chocolate splashes is possible.
• Neck. Not particularly long, but strong, covered with a layer of developed muscles. A slight bend is almost invisible under a thick layer of wool.
• Body. The back is straight, there is a beautiful bend in the lumbar region, the croup is strongly expressed, rounded type. The chest is deep, but not particularly wide.
• Limbs and paws. The forelegs are straight, set in parallel, shoulders laid back. The hind limbs also stand upright, the hips and knees are well defined thanks to the developed muscles. The hock is low enough to provide greater primary speed. Sheltie paws of medium size, collected in an oval lump. The fingers should fit snugly together.
• Movements. These dogs move quickly, but easily, gracefully and smoothly. Each step is like sliding on ice.
• Tail. The medium-sized tail is covered with a thick layer of wool also of medium length. Planted low, lowered in a calm state, with the tip reaches the level of the hock joints. According to the structure, the tail of the sheltie is straight, without a twisted tip. In an excited state, it is slightly raised, but does not rise above the level of the back. The ends of the tail in colored sheltie are usually light or white.
• Wool. There are two levels: long and coarse outer hair, retaining moisture and cold; thick, dense and soft undercoat. When stroking the wool slightly springy. Chest, occipital part and neck are covered with longer hair, forming a kind of “lion's mane” that hides ribs and elbows.

Among all modern breeders, Sheltie dogs are considered to be an exceptionally friendly, companionable and active breed. It is worth considering the key features of the behavior of these dogs in different conditions of detention.

• Independence. Despite unlimited devotion towards their master and members of their family, these dogs are also extremely independent. This is not a breed of dog that will follow you every minute on the heels and wait for any encouragement or initiative from the owner. They will not crawl for the sake of goodies, and adult Sheltie cannot be re-educated. Shelties will not be bored by their family members if they see that they are not up to it now, but they will gladly join any hints of games and adventures.
• Attitude to the owner. Some classify these dogs as family breeds, which is not entirely correct.Truly shelties will be faithful and loyal only to their master, only his commands will they always fulfill and obey unquestioningly. These dogs feel a kinship with the owner - they always know very well what he wants. They will be ready to console him in difficult times and have fun in the moments of his joy. Some breeders note that these dogs are prone to copying the qualities and behavior of their owner - which is why constant contact and the right training plan are so important in raising these pets. Such devotion should be treated with extreme caution. If you once tamed the sheltie, then she will not be able to find another owner.
• Attitude to strangers. In relation to strangers, these dogs are extremely restrained. If the owner communicates with the stranger on a positive note, which is positive for the dog itself, the sheltie may well allow itself to be stroked or scratched behind the ear. As for the rest of the actions - the trust of these dogs must be earned. If the Sheltie notice obvious aggression from the stranger, these dogs will first show warning fangs and whine. If the warning does not work, they may well rush at the offender to protect their master. If the sheltie quietly rests somewhere in the corner or is asleep, the approach of any stranger will be regarded for this dog as a threat to her personal space.

• Relation to other pets. Sheltie is an incredibly sociable dog who is trying to find a companion in every member of his family. If this is another pet, for example, a cat or another dog, Sheltie will make every attempt to express a desire to be friends. These dogs are absolutely non-aggressive and uneven, and therefore, thanks to their perseverance, they will be able to make friends even with the most stubborn pets.
• Attitude towards children. Non-aggressive, active and companionable Sheltie feel great with small family members. In children, shelties see companions for active games, entertainment and adventures. They are not vindictive and do not remember the harassment of babies, they like to protect their sleep, and often even become real pillows for small members of their family.
• Vocal qualities. A feature of these dogs is the versatility of their tongue. They are able to whine, scream, grumble, and even purr in a state of blissful peace. Given these data, Sheltie resemble domestic chanterelles who adore affection and attention to their person. An experienced Sheltie owner learns over time to recognize the dog’s desires by the tonality of the dog’s sounds. In childhood, the excessive "talkativeness" of these dogs can cause a lot of inconvenience - it is advised to wean from excessive manifestations of feelings from the very first days of the appearance of the dog in the house.
• Intelligence. All individuals, whether males or females, are equally intelligent and capable of training dogs. Sheltie is considered one of the most easily trained breeds - they have an incredibly fast reaction and are able to easily recognize all the commands of the owner. To make sure that the dog is listening to you, just make sure that it carefully monitors your movements and eyes. Shelties are not good at manifestations of any aggression - moral or physical, and therefore they must be extremely careful and tactful in training.
• Loneliness. Despite the excellent watchdog qualities, these dogs are not able to sit for days on end to keep their property safe. They require constant communication and do not tolerate when the owner does not even have half an hour on them every day. That is why it is not recommended to choose these dogs for people with a busy daily schedule.

Many even experienced breeders sometimes confuse representatives of the Sheltie and Collie breeds. Indeed, there are dog breeds that have two or more varieties, depending on the size and height of the dogs: for example, dachshund and mini-dachshund. However, in this case we will talk about albeit similar, but independent dog breeds.

Consider what is common and what is the difference between the external and internal qualities of these two breeds.

One of the main differences between these dogs is the place of origin of the breed. If Shelters appeared and were bred exclusively on the Shetland Islands, then the regions of Northern England and Scotland were the birthplace of the collie. Both breeds of dogs were originally shepherd dogs, however, for breeding sheltie, spitz, papillons, king charles spaniels, shipperke, Icelandic and Greenland shepherd dogs were used, and the genetic material of Scottish and Irish setters and greyhounds was used to develop the collie.

Such external similarity of these dogs is due to the fact that during the experiments on the Sheltie the genetic material of the collies themselves was also used. However, the presence of genes from other dogs exerted its influence, due to which these breeds were still not completely identical both in appearance and in temperament.

Dogs differ in appearance.

• Dimensions. If you adhere to the standard, the maximum growth for sheltie should not be more than 39 centimeters at the withers (and not less than 33), while for a collie these values ​​can reach from 51 to 70 centimeters, depending on the variety.
• Colors. Only three official colors are allowed in the Collie breed standard; Sheltie has more than 4 of these colors.
• The shape of the head. Collie dogs are characterized by a narrow and long head, in the case of sheltie it is much shorter and wider. In addition, the sheltie's foot is much better expressed.
• The ears. Sheltie's ears are much wider and stand very close together, unlike collies.

Both breeds of dogs are extremely sociable and friendly, however, many owners say that sheltie is much more active than collie. Shelty is more suitable for active hosts who prefer long and interesting walks with games and fun. Collies are more calm, reasonable and self-sufficient. It is considered that they are more suitable for adults and the elderly as excellent companions.

For example, sheltie will almost always follow its owner and will try to attract attention by all means. In addition, Sheltie simply can not stand alone for a long time. As for the collie, these dogs will think a hundred more times before following you. They don’t like to waste their energy and they’d better rest in the corner than they will bother you.

The MKF standard allows 4 official colors for Sheltie dogs.

• Black and black and white colors. A fairly common variety of color in Scotland. This option also allows a small number of brown marks on the muzzle and limbs. Color feature: black head, black body, white mane on the chest, as well as limbs at the level of the metacarpus and below.
• Sable. One of the most beloved flowers among breeders, it is distinguished by a light mane on the chest and a body on which a whole palette of colors can be located in different order, from bright red to golden shades. The main difference in color is the complete absence of gray and faded areas.
• Tricolor. In this case, the hair on the dog’s chest is white, and brown and red shades are located throughout the body.
• Marble or blue merle. In this case, there is light or bluish coat with dark blurry spots throughout the dog’s body, including its face and stomach. The chest, as a rule, remains white.

Due to the high intelligence and trust of the Sheltie to their master, the training of these dogs is quick and painless. Both the owner and the dog take pleasure in mental and physical training - these pets love to execute commands exactly and seek location from their owner.

To make the sheltie training as painless as possible, a number of points should be taken into account.

• Be patient. Remember that each trick requires many repetitions for good memorization and reproduction, do not require momentary obedience from the dog. Express dissatisfaction with your voice, but do not allow situations of open aggression with beatings or insults.
• External irritants. The main task in raising these dogs is to achieve a calm reaction from them to extraneous sounds and actions that distract them greatly. This applies to noise, exposure to other family members or other pets. First, training should take place in the most quiet place so that the pet can concentrate. After six months, training should be gradually transferred to the street so that your dog does not experience problems with socialization.
• Methods of promotion. If the pet correctly follows your instructions, do not forget about banal encouragement and praise. The usual, but affectionate "Well done!" sometimes enough to motivate the dog for the entire training.
• Activity. Shelters are very active, restless and playful - it can be difficult to concentrate on performing a single action.

An important element in the maintenance of any dog ​​is a regular healthy diet with vitamins and minerals. Sheltie dogs should be based on foods high in animal protein. The rest of the menu is plant foods, supplements, and goodies.

• Main course. First of all, it is raw meat with a small amount of fat - veal, beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, rabbit meat. In addition to meat, offal in the form of spleens, liver and hearts can be used. An excellent substitute for meat will also be sea boiled fish (always with a small number of bones). Before the pet reaches 2 months of age, the meat should be served in a grated form. Remember that meat products should occupy at least 50% of the dog’s daily diet.
• Herbal Supplements. The following cereals can be used as a hearty plant food: barley, rice, buckwheat, oatmeal. To make porridge tastier for a dog, it is recommended to boil them in broths with offal or meat. You can also add chopped greens to cereals - parsley, dill, salad (leaves of dandelion or young nettle soaked in salt can be used as a substitute). Quail or chicken yolks (in raw form) should be given at least once every 2-3 days, proteins - only in boiled form.
• Goodies. A good addition to the main dish can be vegetable mashed potatoes, berries (raspberries, strawberries), but you should not overdo it with delicacies. Vegetables must be fresh and juicy. Before using any fruit or vegetable, consult your veterinarian to avoid the possibility of allergies. Dried fruits can be used as a substitute for fresh fruits - Sheltie dogs simply adore them.
• Finished feed. Of course, you can use both natural food and prepared industrial feeds to feed these dogs. In this case, experts recommend choosing premium food and higher (for small dogs).

Shelters have a healthy stomach, which allows them to digest almost all types of food. Only products that are equally harmful to all dogs remain harmful here:

1. any kinds of confectionery sweets;
2. bones of a tubular type (make digestion difficult, get stuck in the throats);
3. any bakery products or any other products of wheat flour (for example, pasta);
4. potatoes, beans and fruits with high levels of acidity and fat content;
5. human food (spicy, smoked, salted, pickled, spicy foods);
6. any dairy products are allowed only dairy (cottage cheese, cheese, whey).

Initially, sheltie was used precisely as a shepherd dog breed, which has a rather long coat and strong immunity for survival in the harsh conditions of rainy Scotland. Due to their strong immunity, these dogs have become immune to most common diseases. That is why The main part of caring for these pets comes down to regular walks and caring for their beautiful and lush coat.

As already mentioned, these dogs do not tolerate being in one place for a long time. They need fresh air, regular walks and exercise. Shelters simply adore chasing a frisbee or a ball through spacious fields, often looking for insects or small animals in the grass. At the same time, they try to draw the Sheltie into their entertainments and games of the owner, without which their walk will be simply impossible. That is why these dogs cannot be kept outdoors or in the aviary. A two-time ideal would be walking with a total time of 2-3 hours, for males this figure is slightly larger.

The frequency and duration of walks may vary depending on the season or age of the dog. So, if we are talking about a still young Sheltie or puppies, then they need to be walked at least 2-3 times a day, not longer than half an hour. In winter, the duration of walks is reduced - immunity is not yet fully formed in young individuals to fight serious diseases. In addition, ice paths are characteristic of winter, from which the limbs of a young dog can form incorrectly.

The main problem in caring for these dogs is considered to be their thick and long coat, the presence of which for many future breeders is a reason for abandoning the dog. Many believe that such a coat is a guarantee that the apartment will always have dirt and a huge amount of wool at every step. Experienced breeders claim that such a problem occurs only in lazy owners who dishonestly comb and comb these dogs.

To protect yourself and your apartment during molting sheltie, you must thoroughly comb the pet at least twice a week with a thick brush or comb in the form of a glove. In addition to removing dead spinal hair, these devices provide the skin of the dog with a pleasant and therapeutic massage. Combing is carried out in two stages - first the coverslip is processed, and then the upper layer of the undercoat.

Despite such a thick and long coat, sheltie does not need regular and thorough bathing. A thorough wool wash with shampoo and lotions should be carried out no more than 1 time in 2 months. Do not be afraid to walk with these dogs in the rain - this breed does not have a characteristic dog smell.

At least once a week, it is worthwhile to clean your ears, rinse your eyes and brush your teeth. Do not forget to adjust the length of the claws. Do not neglect the usual preventive examinations to determine the condition of any part of the dog’s body.

Do not neglect monitoring your pet’s health - monitor activity, appetite, mood and excrement. Before sending a sheltie for the first street walk, be sure to contact your veterinarian for the necessary vaccinations.

This is not to say that for this breed of dogs their owners pick up some specific nicknames that are characteristic only of sheltie. Most often, these are completely different names, designed to beat a certain quality of a pet: beauty, color, activity or thoroughbred.

Nicknames popular for sheltie boys: Agate, Wolf, Gray, Jacques, Lur, Marcel, Marble, Nero, Oscar, Rudolph, Fred, Charlie, Yasher.

Sheltie girls are often called: Ira, Betty, Hera, Zara, Ilda, Krista, Linda, Mira, Polly, Setty, Ula, Holly, Shetty, Helen.

The most interesting about the Sheltie breed, see the next video.