Owning a Sheltie? | The Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland sheepdog is a small sized herding dog that originated in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. Used for herding sheep and barking to keep pests and birds out of gardens, as well as being a great family. Their personalities can be described as being polite, gentle and sweet dogs.
Their weight is from 16-35lbs.
They first became recognized by the English kennel club in 1909 followed by the AKC in 1911. Then 3 decades later the movie “Lassie Come Home” was released in 1943, which made the Collie and the Sheltie popular dog breed among dog owners. And now they are ranked the 27th most popular dog breed in the US and they are ranked the 6th most intelligent dog breed.
The Shetland Sheepdog was not created by breeding the Collie down smaller, but by originating from the herding collies of Scotland and mixing the King Charles cavalier and small Spitz type herding dogs such as the Pomeranian to smaller Rough Collies to create the Sheltie.
Shelties are packed with energy and intelligence and require daily exercise.
They have great instincts for herding livestock from one place to another using fear flocking and flight behavior. They are also well known known as a sport dogs where they excel at dog agility, Frisbee, obedience, showman ship, flyball, and tracking.
If they are cooped up they can become frustrated, be nippy, or develop anxiety. Shelties will also herd anything and that include cars, small children, your other dogs.. but be specifically cautious with your sheltie off leash around any moving vehicles because they will chase it!
Acceptable AKC show coat colors are: Black, Merle and Sable.
Common coat faults are - Rustiness in a black or a blue coat. Washed-out or degenerate colors, such as pale sable and faded blue.
And their ears! - Sheltie show Ears are to be small and flexible, placed high, carried three-fourths erect, with tips breaking forward.
Hair coat: Shelties have a double coat which sheds in clumps twice a year. They do get Mats commonly in their frill behind their ears, around their collar and behind all four legs, which requires regular grooming and brushings to prevent matting. Shaving your sheltie is not recommended because their hair coat may not grow back and even cause baldness or alopecia.
Overall, Shelties are known for being a stocky and Sturdy little herding dog breed. They rarely get cancers and typically live to 12 or 14 years old.
However they do have small list of health issues which I have a second video about that you can find on my channel!
Alright guys, so I actually got a Sheltie after I saw the movie lassie! And yes,I named him Lassie. It was just my luck that when I really wanted one there was a surrendered puppy at my dads animal hospital that he let me keep, he was a great dog, tons of energy and, yup he chased cars.
Okay guys, so I hope you enjoyed this video about Shelties, comment below if you have a sheltie or have any questions about getting one, hit that like button to help this video circulate to other dog lovers and subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already!
~ Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Don'f forget to shop online at: PetMeds.com!
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[@GaryHouse-x1x]

We have 3 Shelties and absolutely love their enthusiasm, energy and their unconditional love for us and each other. They are a constant source of joy and playfulness. Cannot say enough about how much joy they give us and all they meet

[@fletchbundy]

SHELTIES ARE THE BEST!!! I grew up with 2 shelties most of my childhood who had the most hilarious personalities and were the biggest sweethearts. I wish they weren't so hard to find.

[@garysager9028]

My wife had 3 shelties when we married. I was a Golden Retriever guy. I’m all about shelties now. I still like Golden Retrievers but shelties stoled my heart.

[@SpooN12344321]

they stole my heart too :) i have 2 shelties girls

[@jahnavikeraval6839]

My boy Cashmere died 2 years ago in October. I miss him everyday. He was the live of my life, my guardian angel. I hope to be blessed with another

[@drlindsaybutzer]

Yes get another one! I am so sorry for your loss!

[@gregskaggs8521]

You shall be

[@reneelensi7280]

Love these dogs best dogs so loving and best dog to own !!my sheltie just passed away we miss him much! We are talking about getting another one THE BEST DOG TO OWN !!! OUR ROCKIE WAS ELEVEN YEARS AND OUR FIRST WAS 18. GREAT. FAMILY DOG TO OWN !!😊❤❤❤

[@briancooper1291]

We have owned 7 Shelties over 37 years- smaller to larger ones now. Our latest -a brother and sister that are 40 pounds and 30 pounds. The boy looks more like a rough collie, and his sister more like a border. They are by far, the most beloved, intuitive, and personal Shelties we have owned. The breed is an incredible resource of never ending, devoted love and must know at all times where the owners are. Both are great travelers. Only other Sheltie parents will understand this devotion.

[@37silverstreak1]

I just lost my beloved Sheltie Willow to kidney failure at 14yrs. She never chased cars, but she did chase airplanes that flew over! She also loved to chase flocks of Canada geese that would fly over the meadow where we walked. Willow was also very smart, I didn't train her- she trained me!!! She was dads girl and had me wrapped around her paw from day one! I miss her so much.

[@peacefulone4461]

💔

[@jennyeve3889]

I have been owned by 4 Shelties...Sasha, Frasier, Riley and River. I just love the breed: they are sensitive, intelligent, easy-to-train and want to please. Sasha was barking inside during a snowstorm to get out. I let her out, and she came back with a baby bunny in her mouth, and gently dropped it on the carpet. She pawed at the door to go back out again, same thing. In all she brought 4 bunnies in from the snow. When I had surgery, Frasier was by my side, knowing something was wrong, and I'm sure his presence aided in a swifter recovery. Riley is now 14, mostly blind and somewhat deaf, but he can chase the neighbor dog up and down the fence like a teenager! When River was 2, he developed chylo thorax, which is oftentimes fatal, but thankfully I could pay for the 3 surgeries he had to have to fix it. He's 8 now, and after also having to have his gallbladder out, he is a healthy, happy dude. Yes, they do bark. Yes, they shed. Yes, you will love this breed to the moon and back!

[@TheDucksfaninpa2010]

My family is currently on Sheltie number 2. We got our first Sheltie when I was 10. We named him Scotty. He was put down on his 14th birthday in 2018. We missed having a Sheltie in the house. The second Sheltie is a blue merle and we named him Sheldon. The Sheltie is our favorite breed of dog. I'm almost 30 so I've had a Sheltie for almost 20 years.

[@shengyi1701]

You named him after the Chief Engineer aboard the Enterprise

[@slickdaddy12]

If you get a Sheltie be prepared for a ride. Awesome dogs. Super smart.

[@toetiewitbraad9169]

I have my first sheltie. Adorable

[@coryfogle5353]

I've been blessed with REALLY good dogs thru the years. A Sheltie pup joined us last Summer and has proven himself to be incredibly easy to train, as well as readily becoming part of the family.

[@user-uo2nw7xb7n]

Im on my second Sheltie there so loving , and love to be cuddled.They also love cats and there great around children .

[@riotsquadgaming7460]

i've had shelties my entire life, they are very wonderful dogs

[@patwilson2546]

I am on Sheltie #2 (Flynn). Sheltie #1 (Liam) lived to almost 14. Flynn is 9, so almost 23 years of Shelties. Needless to say, I love them. That said, they are not for everybody. They bark - a lot. In the case of Flynn, more than a lot. They do need exercise and engagement. Having a Sheltie in suburbia, I let Flynn herd the garbage cans when I take them to and from the garage. He also helps me with other things like getting a beer or a tool from the garage. They are going to be underfoot 24/7, so the key is to talk to them and involve them in as much as possible. Even silly little things like picking something up and moving it. Praise them when you are done. They will be very pleased with themselves.

[@StellaWaldvogel]

Yes! They get excited every time I do anything. And moving garbage cans must be barked at, and herded when possible!

[@donnawoods8039]

I just love my sheltie. I am on my second one. They are so loving.

[@silverdragon7575]

I grew up with a Sheltie. Great dog for kids. I was obsessed with animal planet and made my own “agility course” that I taught her how to run. I also taught her how to play dead when I shouted “Avada Kedevra!” She used to herd my mom on the riding lawnmower, and the grass clippings would turn her paws green.

[@ericrose540]

Love our sheltie Ginger. Quirky, Smart, loyal & funny - she is the best pet we have ever had!

[@gmctech]

Don't EVER worry about training a Shetland Sheepdog ...... They'll have YOU trained in no time! LoL.... Wow, do i ever miss my little buddy... Whenever I see a Sheltie, I quite literaly get giddy and most would think that's weird as I'm a 6 foot tall big guy... I literaly just melt inside when i see a Sheltie and can interact with them. 😁😁😁

[@StellaWaldvogel]

I wanted to improve my shelties' recall, so I started treating them every time I called them in from the back yard. It wasn't long before they started pretending they needed to go outside, then scratching at the door to be let in and get a treat, lol.

[@donmoore7785]

I am 6'4" and my two Shelties were in-range AKC size - much smaller than I am. We may look funny together but I won't be switching to another breed. Lost my guy a month ago, and after a period of mourning I will be getting another.

[@cherylwebb8340]

I think every sheltie owner feels the same as you ❤

[@juanhartley4897]

My sheltie is my shadow. Not always polite but extremely loyal. The best breed of dog if you ask me. Right amount of seasonal coat, cute and an alert system. I got a good deal on mine but I’d pay around $2000 for a pure “perfect standard” one.

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

For a registered show kennel sheltie you can expect $1600 up. One from a great breeding with perfect markings and etc don't be surprised if in $3000 range...

[@juanhartley4897]

@@marjoriejohnson6535 yup. I’ve herd that before. $650 for my “18lb” sheltie Perfect markings akc registration. And full breeding rights.

[@TL-is8pk]

Love my Sheltie. He's bright and always up for training or a good long-line walk in a field herding butterflies. They're such devoted and steadfast companions. There's no dog quite like a Sheltie. Beauty and brains in one.

[@drlindsaybutzer]

Shelties are super smart! I had one growing up and he was so fun to have.

[@pjmartin6690]

Great video! My sheltie will chase all the normal things... but she has always loved to chase Big Airline Jets flying over my house. I hope she never catches one... lol!

[@Kristin2885]

The car chasing is real. Motorcycles and bikes too. Our back fence is along a major road and our sheltie used to run back and forth nonstop whenever a loud car or motorcycle passed by. There are important health issues though - gallbladder should get an ultrasound done at 5 or 6 yrs old to monitor for possible gallbladder mucocele. We lost ours to a rupture just before his 11th birthday. It's become increasingly common with shelties.

[@Dr_Sunshine222]

I have a major road near me also! Mine loves to chase cars with loud engines, when we let her out she spends most of her time watching them go, she loves motorcycles and she loves to watch cars when we are driving 😭

[@StellaWaldvogel]

@@Dr_Sunshine222 Mine go nuts when the garbage truck comes. They look out the window and bark like crazy.

[@marybethsabol1350]

I’m on my 5 th Sheltie I’ve had at least one of every color accepted by the AKC . They are intelligent and eager to please do are willing participants for training. They do well with active owners. I do agility with my Shelties it’s fun and really gives you a unique relationship between you and your dog to tackle the courses. If you keep their coat cleaned and brushed it really helps. They may not do well with really young children, but would make a loyal companion for an older child. Hope this helps if you are thinking of bringing a sheltie into your family. 4:41

[@lindaloukuhlman383]

Love Shelties

[@mabeljoe4305]

I own 2 rough collies in my youth and college years in the 80s and 90s one lived to age 12 years and 2nd rough collie lived 14 years but died in 2007 from nose cancer. I mourned a whole year. I decide to down size from a rough collie to sheltie. In 2008 i got my 1st sheltie and he passed away in 2020. I got my 2nd sheltie in 2021 and he will be 2yr old in March 2023. He has a different personality than my 1st sheltie.

[@StellaWaldvogel]

They all have unique personalities! I have a bi black and a bi blue. The bi black is bolder, the bi blue sticks close to me. Love having them around!

[@shonbrossard7859]

Shelties are the best ! I have three Harley , Piper and Jazz !

[@Flanneryschickens]

I knew a sheltie who lived on a farm, great dog, patrolled the whole place

[@actually.a_dragon]

This Shetland is huge

[@mabeljoe4305]

My 1st sheltie was a large sheltie he had big paws as a pup. People ask me if he was a rough collie.

[@brettharter143]

probably has some rough collie in it. My sheltie x rough mix is 16kg WAY over the breed standard but looks 100% sheltie

[@donmoore7785]

Yes it is. I had two in the AKC desired range, and this one would tower over them. Very nice coloration though! Beautiful dogs.

[@donmoore7785]

I had a champion female, and she had very large front paws. I asked for a front and a rear paw print when she was cremated, just to remember the contrast.@@mabeljoe4305

[@scottkew6278]

Shelties ARE the best! Smart, gentle but noisy. Healthy and very energetic. They DO have an undercoat but it is not too bad. They are bred down from rough collies. Known as TOONIES they are natural herders, including children. They will protect children from the swimming pools. They need chores to do. However they DO enjoy flopping down next to you in the evening for a good movie.

[@mariad4183]

...ours favored birds I'm very surprised I don't see these dogs more often amoung dog owners! tyfs

[@CarolynHenry1231]

My sheltie is a wonderful dog, smart, sweet and gentle. However , she has anxiety and regularly hyperventilates😢

[@rhondasanders4323]

I had a Sheltie named Daniel💫♥️. I named him Daniel after the prophet Daniel, because I needed GOD to protect my pup like he did Daniel in the lions den. Daniel never chased cars. He was a white sable. Absolutely Brilliant and Beautiful ♥️. So smart. He enjoyed playing ball and especially freezbee. And going for long….walks. I would not recommend a Sheltie in humid states. We lived in Colorado. It was perfect. With a HUGE YARD. With all sorts of birds. And raccoons at night, which always scared me, because I thought one of them would get ahold of Daniel. Shelties need major outdoor fun and long walks. And they love to give love, and they need your loving. He liked sitting in the arm of my long chair. Everyday I would give him a back massage n he would end up falling over. His head and neck also. Daniel ENJOYED getting into the river , and me with him ! Lol Very, very smart dogs. Loving n smart. And grooming a Sheltie is a MUST. You don’t like grooming and shampooing, don’t get one. If you are a homebody or lazy or motivated, a Shetland Sheepdog IS NOT FOR YOU. Yards with grass. Now, Shelties are barkers. And they need to be socialized. With people, children and other dogs. They need your attention. And Daniel wanted you to sleep with me in my bed. Lots n lots of brushing. He lived to be a little over 14 yrs. Great dog! Anyone who has had a Sheltie, never had anything bad to say about their shelties. I miss you Daniel 🥹♥️♥️♥️

[@shengyi1701]

Glad i got Charlie my Sheltie!

[@iGoldenBen]

Mine only chases cats, squirrels and hares now, but he also used to chase sheep, deer and pheasants which he doesn't do anymore through training

[@hershchat]

What a beautiful woman!

[@savannahgg4134]

Hello, i just found your channel. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight. Recently, I was given a 2 year old Sheltie as a gift. He is slowly coming out of his shy faze. He is smart and a real sweetie. The Groomer mentioned that the fur on his backside, from just past his hips back, seemed damaged. It's thicker and more wooly looking. Have you seen anything like that before? Would you happen to have some answers on how to deal with this? Hopefully, it can be normalized. I'm just now thinking maybe coconut oil would surely help. Anybody? I'm interested and open to suggestions.

[@jenniferpatrusevich6254]

The hair on their backside (“the pants”) is not damaged, it is just a different texture than their body hair. Crinkly and rough, frizzy-like. Also the hair around their ears is not damaged or “dead” as I had a groomer once say. It is fine and that is also normal. Don’t let them cut it, only trim/even out very end of belly hair and ears couple times a year. Paws and leg feathers get trimmed every 6 weeks. I use a spray conditioner mixed with water when I groom them. This makes their coats gorgeous but will not change the normal variations of texture in their coat.

[@terafarnum9576]

I love all the one I have had

[@diegohernandez-vb3cu]

My sheltie, use to look for things in the floor and make mountain of them like sucks or clothes and always in the same spot

[@jonathann.2785]

They have human like intelligent.

[@johnwilde164]

Every morning, after he had his breakfast, my Sheltie would herd me out of the bedroom, to make sure he got his morning potty outing. If I paused, he would give me little nose pokes in the back of the leg to get me going.

[@memewalkerb5305]

Can Shelties be trained to live with a pet bird? I am looking at this breed because my housing requires small dogs but I still power walk and do moderate hikes. Thanks for any response.

[@MultiMel0]

I’ve personally had shelties and one bird, and I would say yes! My shelties were never herders, they all came from show lines so they had all but lost that instinct making them super gentle, I’ve also never had any issue with nipping past puppyhood. They lived well with chickens and cats too. The main issue is going to be barking. They can be very noisy dogs and it’s almost impossible to train that out so that might be disturbing to a bird and incompatible for apartment life

[@donmoore7785]

@@MultiMel0 Agree with you. My two Shelties were show quality (not that I needed it but I was confident the breeding was good), and debarked by the breeder so her dogs would not disturb neighbors. I will likely debark my next Sheltie. Even at half volume they are noisy. I would not own another breed though - such wonderful companions!

[@gangstafish25]

I had a pair. One of their puppies were White. And she wasn't a Double Merle. Lassie was a boy,not a girl.

[@mabeljoe4305]

Did you get your Shetland Sheepdog tested to see if your dog carries the MDR1 gene mutation since common medication can be potentially deadly for herding dog breeds like Rough & Smooth hair collies, border collies, Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Old English Sheepdogs and herding breed dogs mixes. Have you found the safest parasite protection (heartworm prevntion) for dogs with the MDR1 Gene?

[@kristiwallace1839]

Most shelties can safely take interceptor. I request that a copy of the mdr1 caution drugs be placed in my dogs vet records and always inform my vet of all meds and supplements that I give to my dogs. I've had one who was mutant/normal for mdr1 take several of the cautionary drugs while undergoing chemo for lymphoma. His oncologist was able to adjust the dosage so he could better tolerate them.

[@alfalfasgirl3562]

I loved my sheltie. But breeders are causing trouble. Mine was crippled by 10 months. I could return her, but they would put her down. Herding dogs can cause problems with children or older people. Needs lots of grooming

[@donmoore7785]

Good breeders are not "causing trouble". Without responsible breeders, there would not be healthy Shelties to adopt.

[@butwhytho4858]

Wait what about bi-blue shelties?! Lol

[@pschin7]

My Sheltie chases cars 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@donmoore7785]

I have had two, and happily neither one did that. I would walk them on our country road, off leash, and neither chased a car even once and we walked daily.

[@egertergetsen4076]

i do not like their long noise

[@_Ben4810]

Why are you shouting Doc...?!? Neither the poor dog or your viewers are deaf...🙄

[@josephartuso6985]

Grow up!

[@donmoore7785]

Interesting comment. I am listening to a stereo at fairly loud volume and I could hear most everything she said. It is because apparently she IS yelling.

[@_Ben4810]

@@josephartuso6985 Ahhhh...thank you for not shouting GROW UP...!!! 😘

[@OakwiseBecoming]

You really need to work on your voice. Shouting nasally at the camera makes it like nails on a chalkboard. I can’t listen to this. Literally hurting my ears.

[@lazysunday1020]

You need to work on your kindness.

[@user-qq6mk5rr7t]

she sounds normal this is a you issue

[@smokeynedith3555]

We're all different. That's just how she talks. I don't have a problem listening to her. How do YOU talk? Maybe if I heard it it might be strange to ME.

[@rossimac]

Have got earphones in and the volume at a normal level, her voice is great.