ARANO SHETLAND SHEEPDOGS
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About Shetland Sheepdog
Background
The Shetland Sheepdog, or
"Sheltie" as it is affectionately known, originates from the Shetland
Islands where it was used by crofters as a sheepdog and guardian around
the farm. Few Shelties are used today for their original
purpose as sheepdogs, but those people who have worked them vouch for
their incredible stamina and instinctive ability to herd.
First introduced into Australia in 1936, the Shetland Sheepdogs future was
assured thanks to a number of very dedicated breeders, whose work is now
continued and supported by the various breed clubs around the
country. Often referred to as a miniature Collie, the Shetland
Sheepdog certainly has the overall appearance of the Rough Collie, however
it is a breed in its own right and possesses some minor distinguishing
features, apart from the obvious size difference.
Average
Lifespan
When considering a dog, please
realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. Shetland
Sheepdogs live from between 12 to 16 years of age.
Breed
Personality/Characteristics/Temperament
Although rather a small dog, the
Shetland Sheepdog is certainly not fragile. When feed was in short
supply on the farms, the original Shelties were ferried onto the small
outlying islands with a flock of sheep and left for long periods to guard
the flock of sheep and fend for themselves. Only the hardy would
have been able to survive. When brought back to the farms
after such isolation, the dogs would thrive on attention and
affection. It is probably this part of their history that makes them
so devoted to their owners, but suspicious of intruders and intent on
protecting the family. Aside from the many attributes that
make them an ideal family pet, Shetland Sheepdogs have proved to be very
popluar show dogs, and are frequently seen taking top honours in both
overseas and Australian shows. The breed has also proven its
worth in obedience competition, where its innate intelligence and
eagerness to please have placed it among the best. In a recent
survey of canine intelligence, the Sheltie was ranked sixth out of all
breeds.
Compatibility with other
pets
Excellent. It can live
happily with the family cat plus will get along with most other
dogs.
Care
Requirements
The Shetland Sheepdogs glamorous
jacket requires surprisingly little attention. A brush and a comb
behind the ears each week will keep it in good condition. The breeds
double coat enables it to adapt to both hot and cold weather, the second
layer (undercoat) giving insulation against both heat and cold. This
breed does not need constant bathing but likes to keep clean.
A Sheltie loves to please and this trait makes it easy to
house-train. With a little early effort in this regard, you will
have an extremely clean pet that will tell you when it needs to go
outside. An ideal family pet, it is equally happy in a
suburuban backyard or running free in open spaces.
Please Take
Note
While the Shetland Sheepdog is
certainly capable of barking, it is also smart enough to be trained not to
bark unnecessarily. It makes an excellent watchdog that will alert
you to visitors or unusual occurences
Ideal
Owner/s
Almost anyone will benefit from
owning a Shetland Sheepdog. The ideal owner is someone who
understands the need for occasional grooming.
In Conclusion
Now you know a little about the Shetland
Sheepdog and have decided this is the dog for you or you want more
information, make contact with the breed club or your State controlling
body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information
about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see
the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better
perspective of the breed and its needs.
The ANKC breed standard for the Shetland Sheepdog is
listed below. F.C.I. Standard No. 88
GENERAL
APPEARANCE- Small, long haired, working dog of great beauty, free from
cloddiness and coarseness. Outline symmetrical so that no part
appears out of proportion to whole. Abundant coat, mane and
frill, shapeliness of head and sweetness of expression combine to
present the ideal.
CHARACTERISTICS - Alert, gentle, intelligent, strong
and active.
TEMPERAMENT - Affectionate and responsive to his
owner, reserved towards strangers, never nervous.
HEAD AND SKULL - Head refined; when viewed from top or
side a long, blunt wedge, tapering from ear to nose. Width of
skull in proportion to length of skull and muzzle. Whole to be
considered in connection with size of dog. Skull flat,
moderately wide between ears, with no prominence of occipital
bone. Cheeks flat, merging smoothly into well rounded
muzzle. Skull and muzzle of equal length, dividing point inner
corner of eye. Topline of skull parallel to topline of muzzle,
with slight but definite stop. Nose, lips and eye rims
black. The characteristic expression is obtained by the
perfect balance and combination of skull and foreface, shape, colour
and placement of eyes, correct position and carriage of ears.
MOUTH - Jaws level, clean, strong with a
well-developed underjaw. Lips tight. Teeth-sound with a
perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely
overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. A full
complement of 42 properly placed teeth highly desired.
EYES - Medium size obliquely set, almond shape.
Dark brown except in the case of merles, where one or both may be
blue or blue flecked.
EARS - Small, moderately wide at base, placed fairly
close together on top of skull. In repose, thrown back; when
alert brought forward and carried semi-erect with tips falling
forward.
NECK - Muscular, well arched, of sufficient length to
carry head proudly.
FOREQUARTERS - Shoulders very well laid back. At
withers separated only by vertebrae, but blades sloping outwards to
accommodate desired spring of ribs. Shoulder joint well
angled. Upper arm and shoulder blade approximately equal in
length. Elbow equidistant from ground and withers.
Forelegs straight when viewed from front, muscular and clean with
strong bone. Pasterns strong and flexible.
BODY - Slightly longer from point of shoulder to
bottom of croup than height at withers. Chest deep, reaching
to point of elbow. Ribs well sprung, tapering at lower half to
allow free play of forelegs and shoulders. Back level, with
graceful sweep over loins, croup slopes gradually to rear.
HINDQUARTERS - Thigh broad and muscular, thigh bones
set into pelvis at right angles. Stifle joint has distinct
angle, hock joint clean cut, angular, well let down with strong
bone. Hocks straight when viewed from behind.
FEET - Oval, soles well padded, toes arched and close
together.
TAIL - Set low; tapering bone reaches to at least
hock; with abundant hair and slight upward sweep. May be
slightly raised when moving but never over level of back.
Never kinked.
GAIT/MOVEMENT - Lithe, smooth and graceful with drive
from hindquarters, covering the maximum amount of ground with the
minimum of effort. Pacing, plaiting, rolling or stiff,
stilted, up and down movement highly undesirable.
COAT - Double; outer coat of long hair, harsh textured
and straight. Undercoat soft, short and close. Mane and
frill very abundant, forelegs well feathered. Hindlegs above
hocks profusely covered with hair, below hocks fairly smooth.
Face smooth. Smooth coated specimens highly undesirable.
COLOUR - SIZE - FAULTS - Any departure from the foregoing points
should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the
fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its
degree.
NOTE - Male animals should have two apparently
normal testicles fully descended into the
scrotum.
Extract from http://www.dogsvictoria.com.au/Breed_Details.asp?Breed=Shetland%20Sheepdog |
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