Shetland Sheepdog Puppies for Sale

overview of the Shetland Sheepdog Dog Breed

Are you looking for a bright, athletic dog that’s on the smaller side?

Check out our Shetland Sheepdog puppies for sale!

Shetland Sheepdogs, also called Shelties, are intelligent and loyal companions as well as herding dogs. Shelties have the beautiful coat and face of their larger cousin, the Collie, but weigh only 15-25 pounds. Shelties excel in competitions such as agility, tracking, and obedience and enjoy every minute of it! They love their family but are wary of strangers which makes them excellent watchdogs.

Adopt a Shetland Sheepdog puppy today and welcome home a bright, playful, and intelligent companion!

You can also browse our other available dog breeds by going to our “all breeds” page.

Shetland Sheepdog temperament

Excellent Watchdog: Shetland Sheepdogs were bred to be farm watchdogs. These small dogs are reserved to strangers and will quickly let you know if something isn’t normal with their loud barking. Without proper training, Shelties can become nuisance barkers. Socialization as a puppy is also an important part of raising a good watchdog. Exposing your puppy to a wide variety of situations will help them to know what is normal and what is a threat.

All-star athlete: Shelties excel at agility, herding, tracking, flyball, and obedience trials. Their energy and intelligence only add to their success and enjoyment!

Alert: Shelties are naturally alert and attentive to their surroundings. They often make excellent watchdogs, as they are quick to bark when they sense something unusual.

Energetic: Shetland Sheepdogs have a good amount of energy and enjoy regular exercise. They need daily walks, playtime, and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

Outstanding Intelligence: In a study of 132 dog breeds, performed by Dr. Stanley Cohen, Shelties ranked number 6 for intelligence! They can learn new commands in less than five repetitions and obey commands the first time 95% of the time.

Herding Dog: This breed was originally used as a herding dog for livestock and it still retains that instinct. Shelties are driven to work and will try to herd anything: people, pets, children included! A herding dog’s instinct is to nip at moving objects– or people! You’ll probably need to train your Sheltie not to nip. Thankfully, they are smart cookies and learn quickly!

Family Companion: Shelties love to spend time with their owners and get along well with children and other dogs. Whether they are playing, in the show ring, or relaxing on the sofa with you, they’ll be happy to be by your side.

Overall, Shetland Sheepdogs make wonderful companions for those who appreciate their intelligence, loyalty, and energetic nature. They require consistent training, mental stimulation, and regular exercise to thrive and be happy members of the family.

Shetland Sheepdog Breed history

The Shetland Sheepdog comes from the Shetland Islands, which are north of Scotland. The cold, harsh climate in these islands meant that food was scarce during the winter months and farmers bred their animals to create hardier, smaller-sized animals, so they wouldn’t need as much food. Among the animals from these islands include Shetland Sheep, Shetland Ponies, Shetland Cattle, Shetland Geese, and the Shetland Sheepdog.

Shelties were used by farmers as watchdogs and herdings dogs for their livestock.

Although there aren’t a lot of records about the ancestry of the Shetland Sheepdog, some theories include ancestry from the larger Collie, Pomeranian, and maybe even the King Charles Spaniel.

The Shetland Sheepdog was mostly isolated from the rest of the world on the Shetland Islands – perhaps the island’s best-kept secret!

In the early 1800s, visitors to the island began falling in love with these small, bright dogs and would purchase them and take them home.

Soon, farmers began breeding Shetland Sheepdogs to sell. As the demand for the breed grew, there was a lot of cross-breeding, resulting in a wider variety within the breed.

Islanders realized the original Shetland Sheepdog was disappearing and there was an effort made to create standards for the breed.

However, this was no easy task. Some people thought the current Shelties needed to be bred with Collies to get to their original state, and some only wanted to breed with Shelties that favored the original Shelties.

Finally, in 1909, twenty-eight Shetland Sheepdogs were registered with the English Kennel Club. At that time they were called Shetland Collies. However, eventually, the name was changed to Shetland Sheepdog.

The Shetland Sheepdog was registered with the AKC in 1911 and today ranks 25th out of the breed registered with AKC.

A few breeds similar to this breed include Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Corgis.

Shetland Sheepdog Average size

Shetland Sheepdogs are 13-16 tall at the shoulder and weigh 15-25 pounds.

Average Shetland Sheepdog lifespan

Shetland Sheepdogs usually live to be 12-14 years old.

Shetland Sheepdog body features

Shetland Sheepdogs, or Shelties, look like miniature Collies. However, they are a distinctly different breed.

Shelties can be sable, black, or merle, mixed with tan or white. They have thick, straight double coats.

They have a narrow muzzle and erect ears.

grooming Your Shetland Sheepdog Puppy

Shetland Sheepdogs have thick double coats. They’ll need to be brushed weekly and probably daily during heavy shedding seasons to keep their gorgeous coat healthy. 

They also will need to be bathed occasionally, or when dirty. 

Your dog will also need its nails trimmed and teeth brushed regularly.

Keeping Your Shetland Sheepdog Puppy Healthy

Shelties are generally healthy, however, it’s essential for dog owners to be aware of conditions that may affect their dog.

Shetland Sheepdogs are at risk for hip and elbow dysplasia, two of the most common health issues in dogs. Hip and elbow dysplasia occurs when the thigh bone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip and can result in limping, lameness, or arthritis if it’s not addressed.

Hip and elbow dysplasia can be genetic, or it can be caused by environmental factors such as overeating or injuries.

Here are some ways to prevent hip dysplasia in your puppy:

1. Ask the breeder for an OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Hip Clearance. Dogs with hip dysplasia shouldn’t be bred.
2. Talk to your vet about the right food for your puppy and stick to the correct amount to prevent unhealthy growth.
3. Keep your puppy from running or jumping excessively on hard surfaces and from standing on their hind legs.

Shelties can also be affected by hypothyroidism, Collie Eye Anomaly, von Willebrand’s Disease.

You can protect your dog from one of the most common health problems: obesity. One of the best ways to extend your dog’s life is by feeding them the correct amount of food and giving them adequate exercise.

Typical Shetland Sheepdog Allergens

First of all, what causes allergies?

Allergens are caused by dander, which is dead skin cells. Both animals and humans shed these dead skin cells. Dander is attached to the fur that dogs shed.

Because of their thick double coat, Shetland Sheepdogs are not considered an allergen-friendly breed. However, allergens will be lower if they are brushed regularly and kept clean.

If you or someone in your home has animal allergy concerns, please consult your health provider before adopting a puppy.

• 1. Do Shetland Sheepdogs get along with children?
  Yes, Shetland Sheepdogs are great dogs for children. Shetland Sheepdogs are playful, energetic, and thoroughly enjoy playtime with a child as long they’re treated well.
• 2. Are Shetland Sheepdogs good watchdogs?
  Yes! Shetland Sheepdogs, or Shelties, are alert and tend to be reserved toward strangers, so they will definitely bark if something unusual is happening. Shelties can become nuisance barkers, but socializing them as puppies can help them become more comfortable with a variety of situations and less likely to bark at every little thing.
• 3. How much exercise do Shelties need?
  Shelties are athletic and should have about an hour of walking or playing outdoor games each day. Some Shelties will never get tired of playing, and some Shelties will be happy to relax on the couch after one hour. They are also intelligent, so don’t forget to give them something that exercises their mind as well!
• 4. Are Shelties shy?
  Shelties tend to be reserved, and they bond deeply with their families. This trait is part of what makes them good watchdogs. Socializing them when they are puppies will help your Sheltie learn to be comfortable around new people and pets.
• 5. Are Shetlies smart dogs?
  Yes! Shelties have outstanding intelligence and have been ranked by Dr. Stanley Cohen as the 6th smartest dog breed!
• 6. Do Shetland Sheepdogs shed a lot?
  Yes. Shetland sheepdogs have a thick double coat and will shed heavily twice a year. Shelties need to be brushed at least once a week and more often during shedding season.
• 7. Can a Shetland Sheepdog live in a city apartment?
  Yes. Shelties are adaptable and can live happily in an apartment. You’ll need to make plans to take daily walks outdoors and trips to the dog park. Talk to the breeder about the energy levels of their puppies; some Shelties are more energetic than others. You can also give them dog puzzles which they play indoors, to give them mental exercise.
• 8. Are Shelties for everyone?
  No. Shetland Sheepdogs can be shy and must be socialized as puppies. They tend to be very vocal. Shelties have herding instincts and love to chase or nip at moving objects. With proper training, you can minimize this habit. Shelties can have separation anxiety. Shelties are a sensitive breed and are influenced by the emotions of their family. They do best with a gentle family. Shelties shed a lot and require frequent grooming. However, their coat is absolutely gorgeous!