How to Care for a Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)

If you didn't know any better and saw a Shetland Sheepdog or "Sheltie" walking down the street, you might mistake it for a Collie that hasn't hit a growth spurt yet. However, Shelties are a separate breed, which like the Collie, traces its roots to the Border Collie of Scotland. A gentle and highly intelligent dog, Shelties have a long life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, with some living even longer. The following steps will help your Sheltie to not be an exception.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Spay or neuter your Sheltie. Spaying your female before the first heat will prevent breast cancer and help eliminate uterine infections. Neutering your male before age four will eliminate the chance of testicular cancer, reduce the risk of prostate problems and curb aggression.

2. Take your Sheltie for regular medical checkups, including eye exams; the breed has a genetic tendency toward certain eye disorders. You can also do a monthly home exam of the skin, eyes, ears, nose, teeth and gums.

3. Keep your Sheltie's vaccinations up to date and keep current on flea and heartworm preventative.

4. Have your Sheltie's teeth professionally cleaned and scaled at least once a year.

5. Feed your Sheltie a quality dog food with meat listed as the first ingredient and the proper balance of protein, carbs, fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals or a homemade diet. Don't overfeed, because aside from making it more difficult to exercise, excess weight causes heat intolerance, which can be even more critical in a long- coated breed.

6. Make sure your Sheltie has some quality running time. A house with a yard is ideal for a Sheltie, however an apartment and regular exercise will do. Off-leash dog parks are ideal for Shelties.

7. Brush and comb your Sheltie's double coat regularly. Misting lightly with water helps with tangles. The undercoat is shed twice yearly in the spring and fall. Since their coat readily sheds dirt and Shelties are quite hygienic, a bath about every three to four months should normally suffice.

Tips & Warnings

• Shelties have a strong instinct to please and are very sensitive. They respond best to gentle, but consistent training.
• You won't find a more loyal family dog than the Sheltie. They are socially inclined and like to be around people. That's why a larger family is perfect for a Sheltie. However, they tend to be on the shy and nervous side around strangers.
• The breed has a genetic tendency toward hypothyroidism and displaced kneecaps.
• Shelties have a strong herding instinct and love to chase things, including cars.

[diggitydogg]

on 1/16/2010 Slpaulsen, did the vet give you any idea? The average life span for a sheltie is 10-15 years, so 13 is an advanced age and sounds like his organs just shut down. But the vet should be able to give you the exact diagnosis regarding what actually caused it. I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a beloved pet is one of the toughest things. Soon it will just be happy memories, though. Melissa

[pixyexy]

on 1/16/2010 I lost mine when he was 14 1/2 suddenly as well. Actually mine had been vomitting on and off for a few months, but the blood tests were normal. I am convinced now that an x-ray would have detected the problem. Towards the end, we had many tests done (in 1 day so he would not suffer too long) and they found a mass which they suspected was malignant. And do long story short, he may have had it for some time and it simply spread quickly at the end..

[slpaulsen]

on 1/9/2009 1/9/2009 - I HAD A SHELTIE FOR 13 YEARS - WAS BORN ON 9/25/1995. WE HAD TO HAVE BLAZER PUT TO SLEEP ON MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2009. I CAN'T BELIEVE HE WENT DOWNHILL SO FAST - WITHIN 2-3 DAYS. WAS SLEEPING ALL OF THE TIME, NOT EATING AND NOT ENERGIZED AT ALL. THE DAY HE WENT IN TO BE PUT TO SLEEP, HE WAS PRETTY LIFELESS. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED HIS ILLNESS SO QUICKLY. ANY IDEAS?

[diggitydogg]

on 12/7/2007 Great names!

[dougharris]

on 12/7/2007 Shelties... the best breed. I love my three shelties. Wild Wind Highlander Rob Roy (Robbie), Wildwind Bonnie Prince Joseph (Joey), and little miss Violet (she's a rescue).