The Shetland Sheepdog - or Sheltie as they're very often called - is a fabulous, active,
bright, very smart little dog.
They're fantastic with children, they don't have any aggression and they make super pets.
They fit easily into the car.
They're always pleased to see you and they just are a fantastic breed.
Shetland Sheepdogs are one of the most popular of the herding breeds.
You have to remember they do have a herding past, but that does make them very trainable.
So they're a very biddable dog.
They do very well in obedience and in agility.
Really the sky's the limit with a Sheltie.
They can do anything.They're not going to jump as high as the bigger Border Collies,
but they're certainly going to do it with as much pizzazz.
Shelties are fantastic to live in a flat because they're small and easy.
But they also, if they live in the country, they can go with a horse all day.
They're so adaptable.
Sometimes they can be a little bit shy with strangers.
So if we got one in, we'd look to rehome it in a quieter household, where there wasn't
too many people coming and going.
Lovely companions.
On the Shetland Islands, where they are few and far between the houses, the dog would
get to know its own family and so it would be a bit suspicious of anybody that approached
their property.
That's why they're a little bit reserved towards strangers.
They make good house dogs.
Because of their slight reserve, they'll let you know if there's anyone around that shouldn't
be.
A normal, healty, fit Sheltie needs a good hour of running - I don't mean jogging with
the family - I mean out in the fields having a good run.
If you can't do that they're happy to go on the lead, but if you wanted them to go on
a marathon - they'd go with you.
Becauase they're hardy.
They're very - like the Shetland pony - anything that lives in that kind of climate has to
be hardy.
There has been some timidity in some of the (breed) lines.
So you need to think about checking with the breeder because they can be quite noise sensitive.
And because of that, you need to start your socialisation programme very early on.
Get them used to life.
Get them used to loud noises.
Make all of that a game, make it a very positive experience.
The big thing is the door.
If anyone comes to the door and you say "ooh - there's someone at the door" - and you rush
to the door - and the door thinks it must be something quite exciting - I'll bark.
If you don't stop them when they do that, they can be a bit naughty.
I always tell people if they buy a puppy from us, that they've got to stop that before it
starts.
Shetland Sheepdog - lovely looking dog - with its long flowing coat.
With that coat there needs to be somebody with the time to groom them to keep on top
of it.
The coat is a double-coat.
It's got a soft undercoat which protects it from the weather, and its' got a long top
coat which is harsh and so if it rains, the top coat will collect the rain and won't wet
the skin.
I think a Sheltie needs a good groom down to the skin once a week.
But quick flick over with the brush two or three days maybe.
And of course if they've been out for a walk and they get dirty and they need a bit of
clean, but they - don't have a coat that knots up or matts up.
They can have an eye condition called Collie Eye Anomaly.
Any good breeder always tests for Collie Eye.
And if you're buying a Sheltie puppy you should ask if it's been tested and you should see
evidence.
We don't have hip displaysia, it's not something that is a problem in the breed because they're
a small breed.
We have heard of Shelties with hip displaysia but it's usually if they're overweight.
But it's not something that the breed has a problem with and we're very lucky we don't
have a list of hereditary diseases.
I like to see them with a family - you know, Mum and Dad and two or three children, because
they get so much pleasure from the dog.
They give you so much pleasure Shelties.