Sheltie Inu

Dog Breed Profile

Sheltie Inu History

The Shetland Sheepdog is a herding and sheep-herding breed of dog. It hails from Shetland, a part of Scotland, and is related to the Border Collie. The Shetland Sheepdog is a medium-sized, short-coated, white-haired, tri-colored, working dog. As a working farm and herding dog, the Sheltie Inu originated as a versatile and intelligent worker. The Shetland Sheepdog is a medium-sized, short-coated, white-haired, tri-colored, working dog. As a working farm and herding dog, the Sheltie Inu originated as a versatile and intelligent worker. The modern version of the Sheltie Inu descends from crosses of two Scottish sheepdogs, the rough and shaggy Scotch Collie and the smooth and longhaired Skye Terrier. The ancestors of the current day Sheltie were larger, with coarser coats. The popularity of the Shelties was enhanced by a 1935 film called “The Loves of Mary, Queen of Scots”. This romanticised appearance of this animal led to a surge in demand. The popularity of the Shelties was further enhanced in 1945 by the Disney animated film, “Lady and the Tramp”.

Time of Origin

Unknown

Country of Origin

Unknown

Ancestry

Shetland Sheepdog, Shiba Inu

Sheltie Inu Physical Characteristics

The Shetland Sheepdog is a medium-size, long-haired breed that typically stands between 15 and 17 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 23 and 30 pounds. They have a thick, slightly shaggy, weather resistant double coat of wooly hair that is pure white, sable, or any combination of these colors. They have a fox-like face, a long tail, and a wedge-shaped head. The Shetland Sheepdog comes in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. The toy size is 11 to 13 inches at the shoulders, the miniature is 13 to 15 inches, and the standard is 14 to 16 inches. The dogs are intelligent, alert, and eager to please.

Eye Colors

Blue, Brown

Nose Colors

Black

Coat Colors

Black, Pied, Red, Brown, Sable, Cream

Height Range

Male Height Range: 14 – 17 inches

Female Height Range: 13 – 16 inches

Weight Range

Male Weight Range: 17 – 24 lbs

Female Weight Range: 15 – 22 lbs

Sheltie Inu Health

Description of breed health.

Lifespan

12-15 yrs

Sheltie Inu Health Concerns

Patellar Luxation, Canine Hip Dysplasia, Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), Ulcerative Dermatosis, Cataracts, Hypothyroidism, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Corneal Dystrophy, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), vonWillebrand’s Disease

Sheltie Inu Temperament and Behaviour

The Sheltie Inu is an energetic and intelligent breed of dog. They are often lively and playful, but also enjoy relaxing and cuddling. They are friendly and sensitive, so they do not do well as guard dogs, but they can make a good watchdog. They are typically easy to train, though they can be a bit stubborn from time to time.

Sheltie Inu Activity Requirements

Shelties are small, fluffy, and adorable. They are a herding dog that originated in Scotland and was brought to the US in the 1800’s. The Shetland Sheepdog is a great companion and family pet that enjoys spending their days playing and being with their people. While Shelties are happiest when they have a job to do, they are not overly energetic and don’t require a great deal of exercise. They are content to spend most of their day relaxing with you. A good long walk once or twice a day is all the exercise a Sheltie really needs. A crate trained Sheltie can be an excellent apartment dog. They are small, cute, and adaptable. While they do need regular walks, they don’t need large yards or lots of space.