The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as a Sheltie, is a small active dog. It is considered to be playful, energetic, and smart. It looks like a Collie, but in fact, is a separate breed. This dog is originally from the Shetland Islands, which is off the coast of Scotland. There are pros and cons to owning this particular breed. Shelties are fun and loyal but may not be for everyone.
General Sheltie Statistics
- Breed Group - Herding group
- Life Span - 12-14 years
- Height - 13-16 inches
- Weight - 15-25 pounds
Puppy Care
Taking care of a Sheltie puppy is similar to taking care of other puppy breeds. They will need to be taken to a Veterinarian for any remaining vaccinations. An important discussion to have with the veterinarian is whether or not to spay or neuter the puppy.
A few things are needed before bringing home a puppy:
- Bowls for food and water
- Chew toys
- Dog bed
- Grooming brush
- Collar and leash
- Puppy food
Miscellaneous Puppy Supplies
Other items that may be helpful to have with a puppy:
- Dog Shampoo
- Dog crate
- Flea comb
- Carpet stain remover
- Puppy training pads
Sheltie Personality Traits and Characteristics
- Intelligent - Shelties need mental stimulation and enjoy playing games and learning tricks.
- Playful and Energetic - These dogs have a lot of energy and love to play.
- Friendly - Shelties are friendly and loyal to their families. They may be shy, at first, with strangers. They are usually friendly with other dogs and cats.
- Easily Trained - Since Shelties are intelligent they are easily trained. They are eager to please and enjoy agility training.
- Tend to Bark - These dogs bark a lot. They may not be a suitable pet for apartment living.
- Like to Chase and "Herd" - Shelties have an intense need to herd. They may try to herd people, other pets, wild animals, and sometimes even cars.
Grooming Needs
These dogs have what is called a double coat. They have a topcoat that is long and harsh that repels water and an undercoat that is short and dense. Their coat needs to be brushed at least once a week. The fur can become tangled and develop mats, especially behind the ears. Since their topcoat repels water and they shed dirt, they only need a bath when they are especially dirty.
These dogs shed a lot. Brushing more frequently during the shedding period will help control the amount of fur spreading throughout the house.
Other grooming needs include trimming the dog's nails and brushing their teeth. Begin grooming these dogs as puppies to get them used to the process and make it a fun bonding experience.
Top 5 Routes for "Sheltie Puppies"
- AKC.org The American Kennel Club website provides information about different breeds of dogs. It has specific details about Sheltie puppies, such as their grooming needs, life span, and personality traits.
- Dogtime.com This website has a star rating system for different breed characteristics. It describes adaptability, friendliness, and trainability. It also discusses the history of Shelties.
- Sheltieplanet.com This website provides information specific to caring for a Sheltie puppy.
- Animalplanet.com This website has an informative, yet short, video about Shelties.
- Yourpurebredpuppy.com On this website you can find an honest review.
Similar Routes
What is a Route?
A route is a gateway to learning. Routes.com's mission is to go beyond search results by curating summaries and top "routes" for today's most popular subjects. Learn More
Suggest a Route
Are we missing a subject you think should be given a route? Suggest a new route. Learn More
Contribute
Become a routes.com contributor. Submit your route today! Learn More