Live Life Team
The Shetland Sheepdog is better known by its popular nickname, the Sheltie. They are also known as the Miniature Collie and the Mini Lassie. They are descended from the Border Collie, although a lot of people believe that their heritage comes from the Miniature Collie breed. They are named for their origin. They come from the Shetland Islands which are just off the coast of northern Scotland. They are most at home on the Shetland Islands, although they can also live in other areas. In recent years they have become a popular breed in other parts of Europe and in North America as well.
The most notable thing about the Shetland Sheepdog is its size. The dog was purposely bred to be very small so that it could be used in hunting on the small Shetland Islands. Many people find this dog to be the perfect pet because of their small size. They have short legs and are usually much longer than they are tall. The Shetland Sheepdog averages a height of between 33 and 40 centimetres, although most of them fall in between these two extremes.
The colour of the Shetland Sheepdog’s coat can vary greatly, unlike other dogs that have set colours or patterns. Their double coat can come in such colours as black and white, blue and white, mahogany, sable, and multiple combinations of each. Their coats consist of long fur that builds around the head like a mane. Though they do require some grooming, these dogs make excellent pets.
