Sheltie Dogs

Energetic, hard-headed and good-natured goof-balls is what describes the Sheltie dog's personality. Sheltie dogs are sweet-natured, serious and introvert dogs, who love anyone and everyone they know. So if you are planning dog adoption and have your heart set on the cute Sheltie puppy, the following Sheltie dog information will help you confirm your choice.

Sheltie Information
The Sheltie dogs are also known as Shetland Sheepdogs and sometimes as Shetland Collie. These dog breeds belong to the herding dog group. The Sheltie are named after the Shetland Islands off the northeastern coast of Scotland. These breeds were primarily raised to protect the herd and livestock. The Shetland Collie was recognized as a dog breed by the Kennel Club, England in 1909. Many Collie breeders objected to the name and thus, Shetland Sheepdog was recognized as the breed name in 1914 by the Kennel Club, England. The American Kennel Club recognized the dog breed in 1911 and the Canadian Kennel Club recognized the Shetland Sheepdog in 1930.

Sheltie Physical Characteristics
The Sheltie dogs are similar to small Collies in appearance. The average Sheltie dogs are about 14 inches high to the shoulder. Thus, they come under the small to medium dog breeds. They have two types of fur that make up a thick double coat. They have a long, straight outer coat and dense undercoat Thus, helping them stay cool in summer and warm in winter. The three coat colors of Sheltie dogs are sable and white that ranges from gold to mahogany in shades. The second coat color is a tri-colored coat that includes black, white and tan. The third coat color is blue merle that includes white, black and tan. Sheltie dogs have pointy ears, long gentle face and bushy tails. They look like a fox and are very cute. The female Sheltie tend to shed more than the males.

Sheltie Personality
Sheltie dogs personality shows that they are intelligent, hardworking and family dogs. They make very loyal pets and rank outstanding in companionship. They tend to bark a lot and are suspicious of strangers. This makes them very good watch dogs. The Sheltie dogs belong to the herding breed and thus need to be given a job to do. If they do not have livestock to overlook, they hurdle up the children, thus, get along very well with children and love to play with them.

They need something to do all the time, to help release their energy or you will have a constantly yapping dog who is just trying to dissipate its energy levels. They love to work with people and score highest in the dog obedience category.

The Sheltie dog breeds are very responsive, bright and devoted family dogs. They love to play Frisbee and ball and want to please every one. Thus, dog training becomes a cake walk. You will love to take them out for walks and even find them at ease during traveling.

If you do not provide the dog with sufficient exercise and mental stimulation, the dog will tend to show negative dog behavior like nervousness, excessive dog barking and shyness. Many Sheltie dog breeds that are bought from pet stores or backyard dog breeders, who know very little Sheltie dog breed information tend to be fearful, high-strung, yappy and nip a lot. If the Sheltie dog breed is bred well, they will be very well-behaved and active dogs. The poorly bred Sheltie dogs have an unpredictable temperament and thus not suitable for families with little children.

The Sheltie dog's personality on the whole is gentle, playful, amiable and excellent with children. They are a bit reserved and may be a bit timid in front of strangers. You need to brush the thick coat every alternate day. The Sheltie dog breeds are prone to dermatomyositis and thus require good dog grooming

Sheltie Life Span
The Sheltie dog life span is about 12 - 14 years. The Shelties are prone to many dog health problems and proper dog care will ensure a long and full life expectancy of Sheltie dog.

The Sheltie dog breeds are great pet dogs for a new dog owner. They are very healthy and even-tempered dogs when treated well. They are always eager to please and therefore you will not encounter many behavior problems. These are good apartment dogs, as long as you fulfill their requirements of daily mental and physical exercise and play. Your kids will love their new pet and even enjoy training it for various dog shows.