Sheltie Pros & Cons

The Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, is a medium-sized dog that originally developed on the island of Shetland, off the coast of Scotland. The breed's long double coat, elongated muzzle and pricked ears that bend forward at the tip make it appear to be a smaller version of the rough collie, but it is indeed a breed of its own. If you are planning to bring a Shetland Sheepdog into your home, research the animal thoroughly beforehand to ensure it is suitable for your family and lifestyle.

  1. Companion

    • The Shetland Sheepdog does well as a companion dog, as it has a sweet-natured, docile temperament and is loyal and affectionate with its family. It will get along with other dogs and children, as long as it is socialized from a young age. Do this by exposing your dog to lots of different people and dogs.

    Intelligence

    • This dog is eager to please and intelligent, which makes it easy to obedience train with the use of positive reinforcement. It also will pick up toilet training quickly. This breed is sensitive to its owner's tone of voice, which means that you can effectively communicate your appreciation or displeasure for particular behaviors by using your voice. Show the Sheltie firm leadership to prevent it from becoming stubborn and willful.

    Herding Instinct

    • A negative aspect of the Shetland Sheepdog's personality when kept in a family setting is its desire to herd. This dog was developed for the purpose of herding sheep and is therefore extremely energetic with high stamina. It will attempt to herd animals and people, which could make it unsuitable for a family with young children. It is also a noisy dog. You can prevent your dog from feeling the need to herd by giving it another job to provide mental stimulation Do this with agility or trick training. Take the Sheltie on a long walk every day to help drain excess energy.

    Health Problems

    • The Shetland Sheepdog is prone to a number of health conditions, such as diseases or malformations of the eye. These are conditions that are passed on from the parents, so question the breeder about the parents' health and meet both the mother and father before purchasing a puppy. The Sheltie is also prone to hypothydroid problems and displacement of the kneecaps, or patella. Be careful not to overfeed your Shetland Sheepdog as it can become overweight easily.