Here's what we know:
* Ancient origins: The Shetland Sheepdog likely descended from small, herding dogs brought to the islands by the Vikings centuries ago.
* Natural selection: The harsh climate and small, rugged terrain of the islands favored smaller, agile dogs with intelligence and stamina, leading to the development of the breed we know today.
* No single discoverer: There was no specific individual who "discovered" the Shetland Sheepdog. They were simply the breed that evolved naturally on the islands.
So, while we can't credit a specific individual with the breed's discovery, we can recognize the influence of the Shetland Islands' environment and the people who lived there in shaping this remarkable breed.