🐶 Dog · size Small
Shetland Sheepdog (dog)
A dog breed
Photo · Wikipedia FR (CC BY-SA)
Weight
6–10 kg
Size
Small
Lifespan
12–16 ans
Energy
Élevé
Origin
Îles Shetland
Coat
Fawn, Bicolour (black and white, blue bicolour, or black and tan), Tricolour, Blue merle.
Maintenance
Élevé
Training
Très élevé
The Shetland Sheepdog (Shetland Sheepdog), also called Shetland or Sheltie, is a small herding dog originating from the Shetland Islands, north of Scotland, where it was used to guard sheep. It is the result of crossing island dogs from the Shetland Islands and, subsequently, Collies. Although it can be confused with a young long-haired Collie, the Shetland Sheepdog is a breed in its own right.
Profile
At a glance
Energy
Élevé
Trainability
Très élevé
Maintenance
Élevé
Indicative profile — every animal is an individual.
⚡ Key facts in 30 seconds
L'essentiel
- 1Small size (6–10 kg), adapts to most homes.
- 2Life expectancy: 12 to 16 years on average, depending on hygiene and diet.
- 3High energy level — at least 1 hour of activity per day for their wellbeing.
- 4Regular grooming — brushing 3 to 5 times per week.
Chapter 1
Getting to know the Shetland Sheepdog (dog)
Our selection
Dry food suited to the Shetland Sheepdog (dog)
Origins & history
A story told
In Canada, the Shetland is the 6th most popular dog breed between 2015 and 2020, according to the Canadian Kennel Club.
Character
Daily temperament
The breed standard sums up the temperament of the Sheltie as "affectionate and receptive toward the master, reserved toward strangers, never fearful". Loyal and affectionate with its owners, it is wary of strangers. It is a good guardian and alerter.
Physical
Breed standard
Its ideal adult height should be ideally 37 cm for males and 35.5 cm for females. It weighs between seven and ten kilos. However, some Shetlands sometimes exceed the standard. It has a medium-long topcoat and a very soft, fine, and dense undercoat. The admitted coat colors are:
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bicolor: black and white, blue and white tricolor: black, white, and tan blue merle sable
Chapter 2
Daily life
What if you adopted your future companion?
The Shetland Sheepdog (dog) of your dreams may already be waiting in a shelter. Hundreds of shetland sheepdog (dog) (and equally wonderful crossbreeds) are looking for a family in France — every adoption starts a new story.
Editorial recommendation — no affiliate links.
Âge
What human age for a shetland sheepdog (dog) ?
The calculator is already set to the breed's adult size (espérance de vie 12–16 ans). Drag the slider to see the equivalence and corresponding life stage.
5 à 9 kg — a giant dog ages significantly faster than a small dog after maturity.
Equivalent human age
28years
Adulte
Most stable period. Monthly weigh-in, annual vet visit, dental care — this determines quality of life in later years.
Method: AVMA table: 15 human years in year one, +9 in year two, then +4 per year for a petit dog.
These equivalences are statistical benchmarks drawn from published veterinary tables. Every animal ages at its own pace, depending on genetics, diet and care. This calculator is neither a diagnosis nor veterinary advice.
Health
Health watch
Its life expectancy is twelve to sixteen years. It is affected by breed predispositions to certain pathologies, such as certain eye conditions, such as distichiasis, photoceptor atrophy (PRA), or Collie eye anomaly (CEA). Shetlands would also be predisposed to diseases related to the gallbladder, as well as cryptorchidism. The Shetland is not affected by hip dysplasia. Its coat requires regular ma
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intenance, at a rate of brushing once a week, except during shedding when its coat requires a little more attention. The ideal consists of brushing the entire coat against the grain, thus evacuating dead hair, preventing the formation of mats or knots, stimulating blood circulation, and regrowth. Accustoming it young to these sessions has only advantages, even at an age when the coat is short. One usually proceeds from back to front and from bottom to top, taking care of sensitive areas and prone to knots, under the tail, behind the elbows and thighs, and especially around the ears.
Alert
To avoid for dog
Our database lists toxic ingredients and problematic additives by species.
- low-fat cocoa powderModerate
- maltitolModerate
- cocoa pasteModerate
- onion piecesModerate
Calculator · daily ration
How much to give a shetland sheepdog (dog) ?
Estimate based on the veterinary formula RER × DER, adjusted for dog. Adjust according to package recommendations.
Result
123 g
per day · 466 kcal
62 g / repas (2 par jour)
Calculation for food of 380 kcal/100g.
Appears in
Shetland Sheepdog (dog) in our rankings
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Shetland Sheepdog (dog)
Does the Shetland Pony (dog) suit apartment living?+
How much exercise per day for a Shetland Pony (dog)?+
What is the life expectancy of a Shetland Pony (dog)?+
Is the Shetland Pony (dog) good with children?+
If you like this dog
Breeds with similar profiles
For more information
Sources & official links
Supplementary documentation on reference sites — breed clubs, encyclopedias, veterinarians.
The right score for your Shetland Sheepdog (dog).
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