Sheltie: a description of the breed. Reviews of owners, photo, price

Often this cute miniature dog is called a dwarf collie. However, this is a completely independent breed of shepherd dogs, which was bred in the Shetland Islands. Most likely, very long time the collies were brought to the islands, and during the breeding work, by crossing with local dogs and selecting miniature individuals, a sheltie dog was obtained.

From the history of the breed

The breed appeared in the Shetland Islands in the ancient times of the Vikings (IX - X cc.). True, it was officially recognized in the XIX century. Before this sheepdogs from Shetland Islands modestly performed shepherd's work. The appearance of these animals suggests the idea of her kinship with the big collie, but at the same time the official history of the breed claims that they were withdrawn from the border collie. Work on crossing with long-haired brethren began to be carried out only in the XX century.

Shepherds bred these small dogs so that they show maximum performance. Their expectations were not in vain. Sheltie became indispensable for the shepherds. Description of the breed indicates that these dogs are very anxious about sheep, and also brightened up the life of the shepherds.

Probably, this close, and sometimes isolated, communication between a dog and a man influenced the development of high intellectual abilities of rocks.

Sheltie - description of the breed

These are small animals - the ideal growth of a male at the withers is 36.5 cm, slightly smaller than a female - 35 cm. Any excess of growth by more than 2.5 cm is a serious defect. Weight from 6 to 10 kg.

External signs

When you first look at the animal, you get the impression that before you is a miniature collie, harmoniously built, an active dog.

Head

The wedge shape is long. Skull is flat, with slightly pronounced occipital mound. Smoothed, rather soft transition from forehead to muzzle. Medium-sized eyes, almond- shaped, obliquely set. Usually dark-brown color. To dogs of a gray-blue color the start is allowed by blue eyes.

Ears

High, close set, small size. Standing ¾ length. The ends are directed forward.

Jaws

Powerful. The lower jaw is more developed . Lips are dry. Teeth are even, strong. Scissor bite, correct.

Housing

A long neck with a beautiful bend. The body is slightly stretched in length, muscular. The thorax is deep with convex ribs. The back is perfectly even.

Limbs

With strong bones, dry. Paws, arched, oval, fairly compact, fingers closed, pads dense.

Tail

Has a beautiful suspension of long wool, along the length reaches the hock. When the dog is calm, it is lowered downwards, when excited, rises above the line of the back, but at the same time it does not overturn it.

Wool

Has a long coat of hair, straight and rather hard to the touch. The dense and short undercoat is quite soft. Luxurious long mane and elegant jabot give the animal a majestic look. On the hind legs, the coat is very thick, forming pants.

A Sheltie dog can have tricolor color (black with tan marks, legs, chest and tip of tail - white), marble-blue, black sable with tan and white marks.

Character

It is very soft in character and friendly dog. She is extremely attached to the owner, but she does not tolerate a rude attitude toward herself. In the opinion of the breeders, it is beautiful, and maybe the best companion is Sheltie. Description of the breed convinces us that it becomes a true friend for all family members. In communication with strangers, she is restrained, but she does not show any nervousness.

Sheltie (reviews of owners confirm these words) has an innate sense of self-worth, it is independent and very delicate. She will not bother the owner when he is busy with the business, but he is always ready to give up "his affairs" and get involved in the game.

Sheltie (photo of which you see in this article), according to the cynologists, is considered one of the most easily trained breeds. It has a quick reaction and the ability to deliberate actions. She always looks very closely into the eyes, waiting for the team. She always seeks to fulfill the command of the master and always absorbs his best qualities.

This is a sensitive and brave guardian. On the appearance of an outsider, he warns with a growl. It is very easy to get along with pets. Infinitely loves and lovingly cares for children, especially if they belong to the host family. Suitable for both lonely people and a large family.

Features of behavior

Amazing Sheltie Dog. Description of the breed is striking in the presence of its unique features, which can not be found in other dogs.

The "language" of these animals is diverse. They can whimper plaintively, moan, grumble, restlessly whine and pacify serenely. They have a sonorous voice, which has numerous overflows. An attentive owner on it can always determine what the dog wants to tell him. If desired, it is easy to disaccustom bark.

Sheltie is not very fond of when a stranger approaches them, but at the same time, they are happy to come when they see a benevolent attitude towards themselves.

Maintenance and care

As already mentioned, a very clever, affectionate and kind dog Sheltie. The owners' feedback allows us to state that it is suitable for everyone who needs an aggressive but alert four-legged friend of a small size.

This charming creature perfectly coexists in a city apartment and on the street, loves outdoor games. For its walking, you need space and the opportunity to run around.

Sheltie needs physical exertion, while it does not require increased attention from the owner and is fully capable (if there is enough space) to occupy herself.

If we talk about the health of these animals, we should note the tendency to inherit diseases and eye defects. Infrequently, but there is a displacement of the patella, hypothyroidism. In addition, these dogs can not be overfed, because they easily gain excess weight. On average, they live up to 15 years. If there is a need for treatment, the sensitivity of the animal should be checked for some preparations that are completely safe for other breeds, and for shelties can become fatal.

Training and training

Sheltie (a description of the breed leaves no doubt about this) - an intellectual dog. They do their best to please the owner and gladly fulfill his commands. Their skill with which they serve to protect the house, is admired.

At the initial stage of training most dogs of this breed are approached by a soft method - the option is chosen by the owner depending on the training objectives and specific skills of the animal. In any case, sheltie should work joyfully and cheerfully.

In parallel, the dog must be accustomed to outside stimuli, without requiring the performance of skills. It is necessary to accustom the animal to the full dominance of the trainer.

The dog must recognize in the trainer (master) the leader of the microstay. In the case of this breed, this should not be achieved by psychological pressure. It is better to use the hierarchical laws of the pack.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the short list of "rights and duties" of the leader of the pack:

• The leader must eat first, he is allowed to take food from members of the pack;
• The leader for sleep is given the best place on which no one else sleeps;
• He always goes first, the pack follows him;
• Keeps the pack in a group;
• Only the leader is allowed to decide whether the pack will join the battle.

Observance of certain rules will allow the owner to become the "leader of the pack" and thus subordinate his pet:

• The dog should always eat only after the owner;
• The trainer should deliberately drop pieces of his favorite delicacy on the floor and immediately take them away, not allowing them to be picked up by the dog;
• An animal should never be higher than a trainer (master). This refers not only to the figurative meaning of this word. If the owner lays down on the sofa, then the dog's place on the floor;
• Trainer, but by no means the dog, first passes through the door;
• The dog should allow his master to do with himself all that is necessary - to feel it, to inspect the bite, to measure the temperature, etc. Calm behavior is encouraged by delicacy, resistance to the trainer should not be retreated, but it is also not necessary to rush. With the help of food stimuli, it is necessary to consistently achieve obedience.

It is often difficult for Sheltie owners to realize that they need to dominate such a charming creature. Undoubtedly, even the dominant dog of this breed does not endanger the life of its owner. Just a representative of this breed, who will be sure that it is he who is the leader, will not perform stable commands of the trainer.

Sheltie puppies

In our articles on animals, we always talk about the fact that they should be purchased only in nurseries or from breeders, visually assessing the parents' babies visually. It is advisable to inspect several litters so that you can compare them.

It should be borne in mind that sheltie, whose price can be quite high, in one litter may appear "giants" and "dwarfs", that is, kids that differ from the standard sizes. For a pet, this is not a significant drawback, although the seller must sharply reduce the cost of the animal. And for a dog that owners are going to represent at exhibitions or use in breeding, this deficiency will be decisive.

Kids of this breed easily adapt to the order of the new home and become friends of all household members.

In any case, Sheltie puppies should be purchased from breeders who value their name, which is unprofitable to sell poor-quality animals.

Reviews

These are lovely, kind and very intelligent dogs - shelties. Reviews of those who raise these animals, say that they can become irreplaceable family members. The breed is very plastic. They are hardy and gentle, tactful and friendly. These dogs have an inquisitive mind, it is easy to be friends with them, while being in the relationship the main thing! In a word - a companion dog with a capital letter. If you need a kind and cheerful friend, then you need sheltie. The price of these dogs varies from 15 to 35 thousand rubles.