Shetland Sheepdog
A Lassie in miniature.
- Weight
- 15–25 lbs
- Height
- 13–16 in
- Lifespan
- 12–14 yrs
In short
The Shetland Sheepdog is a small herding dog from Scotland's Shetland Islands, bred to keep sheep and ponies out of crofters' gardens. Adults weigh 15–25 lbs and live 12–14 years. Shelties are bright, sensitive and very vocal, and many carry the MDR1 drug-sensitivity gene, so a DNA test is worth doing.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a bright, trainable small dog
- enjoy agility or obedience
- don't mind brushing a few times a week
Think twice if you…
- need a quiet dog
- live with thin apartment walls
- want a dog that loves every stranger
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Training
- 3–5 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 50–70 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study9.5/10
EnergyActive7.5/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors8.5/10
SheddingHeavy shedder8.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Long, dense double coat
A harsh outer coat and thick undercoat that blows seasonally; mats form behind the ears.
-
02
Tipped ears
Small ears that stand with the tips folded forward, giving the alert expression.
-
03
Collie-like head
A long, wedge-shaped head that makes them look like a small Rough Collie.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 18–25 lbs | 15–22 lbs |
| Height | 13–16 in | 13–16 in |
| Lifespan | 12–14 yrs | |
| Coat | Long, harsh outer coat with a dense undercoat | |
Personality
Shelties shadow their people and pick up moods quickly. They bark at anything unusual, a trait bred in for herding and alerting. Many are reserved with strangers and dislike rough handling.
With kids
Gentle with respectful kids; may herd or nip at running children.
With other pets
Usually good with dogs and cats, though they may try to herd them.
With strangers
Reserved and shy without early socialization.
Alone time
Bonds strongly; can bark or fret when alone.
Training
Shelties learn very quickly and want to please, but a harsh word can shut them down. Gentle, upbeat training gets the most.
-
How often
3–5 sessions of 5–10 minutes spread through the day.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Use 8–16 weeks for calm strangers, noises and new places so reserve doesn't turn into shyness. Add grooming handling.
-
Self-control
Teach a quiet cue: reward silence after a bark or two. Build impulse control around moving things, such as cars, bikes and running kids, to keep herding in check.
-
What it works for
Food, toys and praise all work. Use small, high-value pieces and keep treats within 10% of daily calories.
Exercise
Shelties need daily walks and play, plus mental work. Agility and herding games suit their quick, agile build.
Exercise a day
90–120 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Agility
- Herding lessons
- Brisk walks
Brain work
- Trick training
- Puzzle toys
- Nose work
Best home
Apartment OK with daily exercise, but barking can bother neighbors.
Watch for Herding instinct can make them chase cars or bikes, so keep them leashed near traffic.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Shetland Sheepdog (15–25 lbs) lands around 475–700 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 600–875 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 60–90 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–4 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 475–700 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 50–70 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–4 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 650–950 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 65–95 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–5 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 425–600 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 45–60 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–3 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 600–875 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 60–90 kcal | 3–4 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 475–700 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 50–70 kcal | 2–4 pieces |
| Active / Working | 650–950 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 65–95 kcal | 3–5 pieces |
| Senior | 425–600 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 45–60 kcal | 2–3 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Shelties are generally healthy; watch eyes, MDR1, hips, thyroid and dermatomyositis. Choose a breeder who DNA-tests.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Collie eye anomaly and other eye disease | CAER eye exam plus CEA DNA test | Eye exam yearly in breeding dogs; DNA once |
| MDR1 drug sensitivity | MDR1 DNA test | Once; share results with your vet |
| Hip dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder for results) |
| Hypothyroidism | OFA thyroid panel | Once in breeding dogs; recheck if symptoms appear |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Shetland Sheepdog breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- BBS2 PRA DNA test
- Elective tests from the breed club list
Also recommended
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Kneecap (patella) check
- Heart exam
- Dentition
- Maxillary Canine-Tooth Mesioversion
Grooming Heavy seasonal blowouts, moderate otherwise
Brush 2–3 times a week, daily during blowouts, checking behind ears and under legs for mats. Bathe every 1–2 months. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week. Never shave the coat.
History
1700s–1800s
Island herder
Shetland crofters used small herding dogs to keep sheep and ponies away from crops.
Late 1800s–early 1900s
Collie crosses
Breeders crossed in Rough Collies and small companion dogs, shaping the modern look.
1909–1911
Recognition
The Kennel Club in Britain recognized the breed in 1909, and the AKC followed in 1911.
Questions owners ask
Are Shetland Sheepdogs easy to train?
Yes. They learn very quickly and want to please, but are sensitive, so keep training gentle.
Are Shetland Sheepdogs good with kids and other pets?
Usually yes, with respectful kids. They may try to herd children or pets.
How much exercise does a Shetland Sheepdog need?
About 90–120 minutes a day of walks, play and mental work. Agility suits them well.
Do Shetland Sheepdogs shed?
Yes, heavily during seasonal blowouts. Brush 2–3 times a week, daily during a blow.
What health problems do Shetland Sheepdogs have, and how long do they live?
Most live 12–14 years. Watch for eye disease, MDR1 drug sensitivity, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and dermatomyositis.
Is a Shetland Sheepdog good for apartments or first-time owners?
Often yes for first-time owners, but barking can be a problem in apartments.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Shetland Sheepdog needs only 2–4 pieces a day, well inside the 50–70 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Shetland Sheepdog ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Shetland Sheepdog
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
