The Difference Between American & English Shelties

The Shetland sheepdog, also known as a "Sheltie," is a small herding dog that originated in the Shetland Islands and was brought to America in the early 1900s, according to the American Kennel Association. There are some differences in the American and English versions of the breed, but the dogs are considered to be loyal and loving companions who like to be with their families and are willing to learn in order to please their masters.

  1. American Standard Sizes vs. English Standard Sizes

    • The Shetland sheepdog should stand between 13 inches to 16 inches tall at the shoulder in American dogs, while the favored heights for the English Shelties are between 12 inches and 15 inches. Both the Americans and the British agree that the Shetland sheepdog should be small and compact in size, and that Shelties under 12 inches and over 16 inches are undesirable for show-quality animals.

    Group Titles in the U.S. and England

    • Both the United States and the English versions of the Shetland sheepdog belong to the herding group. The Shelties have the instincts to herd animals, and were originally used to help families on farms, according to K9 Web.

    Differences in Temperment

    • The Sheltie is known to be alert, gentle and friendly toward the owner; however, this breed is very reserved around strangers and people it doesn't know well. Both the American and English Shelties show these traits, and, in addition, the American Sheltie is known for its tendency to bark.

    Coat and Color variations

    • The "Sheltie" Is a long-haired dog with a coarse outer coat and a softer inner coat. The English version of the dog has sable, tri-color, blue merle, black-and-white and black-and-tan colors, according to the English Shetland Sheepdog Club. The American Kennel Club does not prefer Shelties that are more than 50-percent white. English Shelties do not get frowned upon if they are predominantly white, however, white patches on the body are viewed as unacceptable.