28 Dec Interesting Facts about the Shetland Sheepdog Dog Breed

The Shetland sheepdog dog breed was bred in the farms and farmlands in the Shetland Islands, which are inside the coast of Scotland, to protect agricultural lands. This breed protected the land from hungry birds and sheep. So, they are called guard dogs. They also served as herding dogs. Today, they are used as domestic and racing dogs. In this article, we want to talk about the Shetland Sheepdog. Stay tuned to the end of the article for more information.

Shetland Sheepdog dog breed Breed knowledge

• Shetlands have a lot of hair loss in some seasons, which is more in spring than in other seasons.
• This breed has good physical and mental abilities and performs well in places where both of these abilities are needed. They have a lot of energy, which they release with activity and play.
• These dogs are boisterous and bark loudly. But they will stop this job at your command if they have received the necessary training at a young age.
• Shetlands are highly intelligent and love to play and be active. They are sometimes stubborn. Make games and training fun for them to listen to your commands.

Shetland Sheepdog dog breed appearance characteristics

• Group: herding dog
• Height: 33 to 41 cm
• Weight: over 9 kg
• Age: 12 to 15 years
• Weight of the male dog: (10-18) kg, female: (10-18) kg.
• Height of male dog: (33-41) cm, female: (33-41) cm.

Shetland Sheepdog dog breed health and disease

These dogs may also suffer from various diseases. Although they are usually healthy, they may suffer from complications. Among these diseases, the following can be mentioned:

Von Willebrand

It’s a common disease between dogs and humans. With the reduction of the factor of this disease in the blood, bleeding occurs in the gums, nose, and faeces. They may even suffer from severe and long-term bleeding during childbirth. This disease causes embolism in blood vessels, which can be very dangerous in some cases. The bleeding area can be burned with radiation or sutured to prevent this complication. Injection of this disease’s factor before surgery helps improve this disease.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a disease that progresses, and more severe symptoms appear if not diagnosed and treated on time. In this disease, the level of thyroid hormones in the body decreases and causes symptoms such as reduced heart rate, weight gain, dry and thin skin, and sensitivity to colds. With daily medication, this disease can be controlled and treated, and its treatment lasts until the end of the dog’s life.

Dermatomyositis

This problem is a type of skin disease that causes ulcers on the skin of these dogs and may even involve the muscles. The only way to diagnose this disease is to take a skin sample. In many cases, the dog doesn’t show any symptoms, but he is a carrier and transmits the disease to his children. This disease is specific to Shetland dogs and Gypsies but may also affect other breeds. Various complications appear in this disease, including skin complications of the head, ears, tail, and front legs, as well as severe hair loss.

Eye abnormality

Eye abnormality is a hereditary disease that affects the sight and eyes of dogs. The dog’s eyes are involved in this disease, but to different degrees. In mild cases of this disease, the dog doesn’t lose his vision. Diagnosis of this disease is straightforward and can be diagnosed by visiting a veterinarian. There’s no cure for this disease, and dogs who lose sight can continue their lives with the help of other senses. To prevent the transmission of this disease to the next generations, you can sterilize the affected dogs.

Hip dysplasia

In this hereditary disease, the connection of the bone to the hip joint isn’t made well, and it may also cause pain in the pelvis or hind legs. It’s challenging to identify this disease by the dog owner. X-ray screening is done for this disease. At different ages, hip dysplasia may cause swelling in the joints. It may be caused by various factors such as high-calorie foods or falling from a height.

Nutrition

Two meals a day for these dogs are considered two to three and a half cups of dry food. You can do it quickly if you want to check your dog for overweight. First, take a good look at your dog’s back, put your hand on his back and slowly pull it down. If his spine is palpable, he isn’t overweight. Otherwise, your dog is fat, and you should reduce his food and increase his activity. Dogs, like humans, have different nutritional needs. They need different amounts of food according to physique and structure, age and height, and training. Instead of increasing their food volume, use more nutritious ingredients for them.

Maintenance and care

Shetlands are resistant to difficult weather conditions, but due to their interest in domestic environments and people, it’s better to stay home. They’re good herders and have enough physical activity next to the herd but become sedentary at home. These dogs enjoy walking and playing with children. Shetlands are small in stature so they can live well in an apartment. To do their daily activities, they must go to an open and accessible environment, and also, the necessary training in the field of barking must be given to them.

Grooming

• Shetlands have two coat layers: the upper one is longer and stiffer, and the lower one is shorter and denser. The hair on the head, ears and legs isis softer and smoother than on the chest and neck. Fur-like hair covers the legs and tail of this dog. 
• This dog breed comes in three colours, all of which have white or yellowish-brown spots. Merle blue, sable black and black are among these three colours. However, the skin’s colour does not affect these dogs’ abilities and capabilities. 
• Don’t brush these dogs when their skin is dry. Brush them once a week. When you are in the season of hair loss, touch them more.
• Brush their teeth regularly to prevent mouth and gum diseases. Brushing your dog’s teeth two to three times a week is recommended.
• In addition to the beauty and cleanliness of the dog, he should also be checked for wounds and skin spots. Follow up if you notice itching, redness, touch sensitivity and discharge.
• Trim his nails once or twice a month. If you hear the squeaking of his claws on the surfaces, cut them short to prevent damage to the people of the house.
• Dogs are more sensitive to their paws than any other part of their body, so they check their feet regularly.
• Sterile dogs of this breed usually shed hair once a year. While the females of this breed experience hair loss twice a year before mating.

keeping place

These dogs aren’t suitable for apartment living. They are lively and full of energy and love to run and play. Closed environments make them restless and uncontrollable. But if they can go to an open environment for their daily physical activities, they can spend the rest of the day in the apartment.

Compatibility

Shetland dogs have a perfect relationship with cats and consider themselves obliged to keep and take care of them. At the same time, these dogs avoid other dog breeds. These dogs can be good friends for children if they are kind to them and learn how to deal with them appropriately. Although these dogs are good friends and companions, you should avoid leaving them alone with young children. Teach your children how to properly touch and deal with these dogs and monitor their behaviour and interaction with each other.

Training

It’s straightforward to train these dogs. Since these dogs are very independent, it’s better to start training them from a young age. These dogs quickly understand and learn what you teach them, which can be said that the rate of learning and speed is very high. These intelligent dogs won’t get confused during training and will listen to you.

It should also be added that these dogs learn well and quickly, training such as sit, walk, come or other words that have a grammatical form. When you want to prepare a Shetland Sheepdog, you should pay attention to the fact that your tone is serious so that he realizes the seriousness of his training. But on the other hand, you shouldn’t use violence or cruel behaviour in your behaviour, because in this way your dog will be stressed and it’s also possible that he will become more withdrawn and isolated than before. When the Shetland Sheepdog, can’t you say, first p and then use tasty treats to encourage him? These treats will motivate him to learn.

To wrap up

The Shetland Sheepdog is highly loyal, gentle and sensitive. This breed has a wide range of personalities, from being extroverted and violent to being calm and composed and, finally, a shy and withdrawn character that can be seen sometimes. To have a healthy and lively dog, you need to pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. In all these steps, you can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs, so they count the moments before the next session.