Shetland Sheepdog
Popular Dog Breeds
All about the Shetland Sheepdog
A Shetland sheepdog is a lively and very intelligent breed of dog that will love human attention and if left alone and deprived of this attention will become destructive and problematic.
They get on well with other pets and will love playing with children. They are good watch dogs as they are always alert and are wary of strangers.
As with most breeds, early socialization of your puppy is a must to ensure that your dog will be a good family pet. Shelties are vocal herders and many dogs are prone to excessive barking when they are excited or bored. They may also try to herd small children and pets, if not trained properly at a young age.
Grooming a Shetland Sheepdog
Hair type: Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) have a double coat that is long and abundant all over the body but is shorter on the head and legs and the coat forms a mane around the neck and chest. The outer coat is straight and harsh to touch and the undercoat is soft and tight. Coat colours come in blue merle, sable and black with various amounts of white and/or tan.
Daily coat care: The coat is easier to care for than you might expect but regular brushing is important. Mist the coat lightly with water before you begin and tease out the mats before they get bad but use the comb sparingly. This breed is a seasonally heavy shedder. The dense undercoat is shed twice a year in the Spring and Autumn. The coat readily sheds dirt and mud and Shelties are quite particular about their cleanliness. Bathe or dry shampoo only when absolutely necessary.
Recommended groom frequency: Shetland Sheepdogs should be seen by a professional groomer every 6-8 weeks.
At Petmania Grooming Studios we have a full range of treatments available for your Shetland Sheepdog. If you get a puppy, we recommend our Puppy’s First Visit at around four months, once your puppy has received all his vaccinations.
Diet
Depending on the size and age of your Shetland Sheepdog, you will need to feed between 134g and 177g of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Our pet advisors in-store can help you find the most appropriate food for your dog, while you can find out more about the different dog food brands we stock here.
Activity Level
This active, graceful dog needs lots of exercise, which includes a daily walk or jog. They will also enjoy running free, but be sure the dog is in a safe area. Shetland Sheepdogs will also enjoy agility training.
Where to get a Shetland Sheepdog
There are lots of places offering dogs or puppies for sale in Ireland, but we would always ask that you consider adopting a dog first. Our animal rescue partners have 100’s of rescue dogs and puppies seeking a forever home and would be delighted to introduce you to them.
However, if a rescue dog is not for you, we do recommend that you choose a registered breeder and seek Irish Kennel Club registration papers which will confirm that the dog has been bred to their strict code of ethics.
