Shetland Sheepdog

According to the Royal Kennel Club standard, the Sheltie is affectionate and responsive to its owner and reserved with strangers, but never nervous. According to the AKC, it is very intelligent, trainable and willing to please, and reaches its full potential as a companion once it has learned at least basic obedience.

Within the family it's usually warm and easygoing: on the AKC's breed chart it scores at the top for affection with family, good with young children, good with other dogs and adaptability. On the same chart its openness to strangers is low, so it may need time to warm up to new people. That's why plenty of positive socialization from puppyhood matters.

Two traits are worth knowing about. The first is barking: the AKC writes that Shelties may express even happiness by barking, and that owners must be prepared to teach the dog to stop when asked. The second is chasing: like other herding breeds, it loves to chase moving things, including cars, so the AKC recommends a well-fenced yard and walks on a leash.

The Sheltie suits families who want to spend time with their dog, can make time for a daily walk and play, and don't mind coat care. Among herding breeds it may be one of the best choices for first-time owners, as long as they know about the barking and the coat from the start.

Because it's a small dog, it's important that children don't hug and squeeze it, drop it or bother it while it sleeps. Our article on kids and dogs can help.

According to the Royal Kennel Club, the small Shetland Islands off Scotland's northeast coast produced small animals suited to their small land, the Shetland Sheepdog and the Shetland pony being two examples. The Scottish sheepdogs that are the rootstock of the Collie, Border Collie and Bearded Collie are thought to have played a part in its ancestry too. The AKC also explains that small animals that needed less food were preferred in the harsh climate, and that Shelties herded sheep, ponies and chickens on the farms.

According to the club, the breed was first shown at Crufts in 1906 as a "miniature Collie." According to the AKC, the English Kennel Club recognized it in 1909, but separate classification from the Collie came only in 1914. Though related to and resembling the Collie, it has long been a separate breed.

A small, elegant, long-coated dog with an abundant mane framing its neck.

• Height: According to the Royal Kennel Club standard, the ideal is 14.5 in (37 cm) for males and 14 in (35.5 cm) for females; more than 1 in (2.5 cm) above or below is considered highly undesirable.
• Weight: The standard gives no weight; the AKC gives a range of 15–25 lb (7–11 kg).
• Coat: A long, harsh, straight outer coat over a short, soft, dense undercoat. The mane and frill are very abundant, and the forelegs are well feathered.
• Colors: Sable in any shade from pale gold to deep mahogany, tricolor with a black body, blue merle, black and white, and black and tan. White markings on the collar, chest, legs and tail tip are preferred.
• Eyes: Dark brown; in merles one or both eyes may be blue or blue-flecked.

A Sheltie's coat is beautiful but takes work. The AKC says the breed's profuse double coat sheds considerably and that owners must be prepared to brush it weekly, and more often during shedding season; the Royal Kennel Club suggests grooming every day. The AKC especially advises checking for mats behind the ears, under the elbows of the front legs and in the "pants" under the tail.

• Don't shave: The AKC doesn't recommend shaving; the coat protects against sunburn and heat as well as cold.
• Baths: An occasional bath is enough.
• Nails: Trim them regularly.
• Ears and teeth: Check weekly and brush the teeth regularly.

For more, see our article on dog grooming.

According to the AKC, the Sheltie is active and athletic but needs only a moderate amount of exercise and adapts easily to its family's way of life. The Royal Kennel Club recommends up to 1 hour of exercise a day. It loves outings that work both its body and its mind.

• Dog sports: According to the AKC, it excels at obedience, agility, herding and tracking, and shines as a therapy dog.
• Early socialization: Because the breed tends to be reserved with strangers, safely introduce your puppy to different people and places; the AKC recommends puppy training classes.
• A "quiet" cue: Reduce barking by finding the cause and redirecting with rewards, not punishment. Our article on why dogs bark walks you through it.
• Leash and fence: Because it likes to chase moving things, don't walk it off leash near traffic; work on a reliable recall.
• Brain games: Scent games and learning tricks make it very happy.

It doesn't need a special food; a complete, balanced dog food suited to its age and activity level is enough. The AKC reminds owners that some dogs are prone to weight gain. A long coat can hide extra weight, so trust your hands, not your eyes.

• Measure food; decide the daily amount with your vet based on your dog's ideal weight.
• Count training treats as part of the daily food; in a small dog even a few treats add up.
• Feel for the ribs under the coat: they should be felt under a thin layer of fat.
• Weigh your dog monthly; hypothyroidism, which is common in this breed, can also show up as weight gain.
• Learn which foods are harmful to dogs.

The AKC considers Shelties generally healthy dogs, but it recommends that breeders screen for hip dysplasia, thyroid disease, eye diseases, dermatomyositis (Sheltie skin syndrome), von Willebrand's disease, gallbladder mucoceles and epilepsy. The information below is for awareness only; ask your vet about diagnosis and treatment.

MDR1: sensitivity to certain medications

The MDR1 gene change causes serious sensitivity to certain medications; according to Washington State University, dogs with this change can become very ill, or even die, from some common medications. The university's table gives a frequency of about 15% for Shelties. A simple DNA test shows your dog's status, and the Royal Kennel Club recommends it too. Always tell your vet the result, and never give your dog a medication meant for people on your own.

Collie eye anomaly (CEA) and other eye diseases

CEA is an inherited disease in which layers at the back of the eye don't develop fully. According to a large 2023 study, it particularly affects herding breeds such as Collies and Shelties; it does not progress and vision is only minimally affected in most dogs, but severe cases can lead to blindness. The Royal Kennel Club recommends, as a minimum, eye exams that include litter screening; DNA tests also exist for CEA and two types of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).

Hypothyroidism

The thyroid gland doesn't make enough hormone. According to a 2022 UK study, affected dogs often show weight gain, lethargy, hair loss and intolerance to cold. In the same study, which looked at records of about 906,000 dogs, Shelties had about 8 times the risk of hypothyroidism of mixed-breed dogs. If you notice these signs, talk to your vet.

Gallbladder mucocele

An abnormal buildup of thick mucus in the gallbladder. According to a 2018 study, it can block the bile duct or cause the gallbladder to rupture, with serious consequences. Shelties are considered among the predisposed breeds, and a 2010 study found a link to a gene change in this breed. If you notice vomiting, loss of appetite or belly pain, see your vet.

Merle and other issues

Blue merle Shelties are much loved, but "double merle" puppies from two merle parents have far higher rates of deafness and vision problems. In a 2009 study, 15% of double merles were deaf in both ears. That's why the Royal Kennel Club hasn't registered puppies from merle-to-merle matings since 2010. The club also recommends a DNA test for von Willebrand disease, which affects blood clotting, plus hip and elbow screening; it places the breed in "Category 2" of Breed Watch and asks judges to watch for misplaced canine teeth.

The Sheltie is a long-lived breed. In the 2024 UK study by McMillan and colleagues covering about 585,000 dogs, the median lifespan of about 1,900 Shelties was 13.4 years (confidence interval 13.1–13.6), compared with 12.0 years for mixed-breed dogs. The AKC gives a range of 12–14 years.

Over a long life, regular eye exams, a healthy weight and regular vet checkups in old age help catch problems early.

• Consider a shelter: Purebred dogs and herding mixes end up in shelters and rescues too. Our article on adopting a shelter dog can help.
• If you buy from a breeder: Ask for the parents' eye exams, CEA, PRA, MDR1 and von Willebrand DNA tests, and hip and elbow screening. Make sure only one parent is merle.
• Red flags: Steer clear of sellers who market "miniature" or "toy" Shelties far smaller than the standard, won't show you the mother or can't show test results.
• Neighbors: If you live in an apartment, start barking training from day one.
• Registration: Rules vary by country; many places require or recommend microchipping. In Türkiye, owned dogs must be microchipped and registered.
• The first days: Our guide to bringing home a new puppy walks you through it step by step.