How to Identify a Shetland Sheepdog

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Shetland Sheepdogs are one of the smaller members of the herding group.[1]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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Also called Shelties, they aren't miniature versions of Collies but are their own breed, bred as small farm dogs that could manage eating less food than other large herding breeds.[2]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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Shelties are similar in appearance to a few other breeds, but by recognizing the breed's key traits, you can more easily identify one. This wikiHow will help you know whether or not a dog is a Shetland Sheepdog.

Steps

Looking at the Body Structure

Check the dog's size. Shetland Sheepdogs are fairly small herders. They weigh 15–25 pounds (6.8–11.3 kg) and are 13–16 inches (33–41 cm) tall.Did you know? Shetland Sheepdogs were intentionally bred for their small size. In the harsh conditions of the breed's homeland during winter, food can be scarce, but thanks to the compact size of the Sheltie, they don't require as much food as larger herding dogs.

Inspect the eyes. Shelties have dark, medium-sized eyes, though blue merle dogs may have blue or merle eyes. The rims are almond-shaped and dark.

Notice the ears. The ears of a Sheltie are small and flexible. They are placed high and carried three-fourths erect, the tips bending forward.

Look at the tail. A Sheltie's tail is sufficiently long. It is carried straight down or slightly curved upward when the dog is at rest and normally lifted when alert.

Examine the dog's overall build. Shetland Sheepdogs appear agile and sturdy. They are small, strong, and fairly muscular, with moderately long bodies. Shelties have a smooth trotting gait that denotes effortless speed.

Assessing the Coat

Look for a double coat. Shelties have double coats, where the outer coat is long, straight, and harsh, and the undercoat is short, furry, and very dense, giving the coat a "standoff" quality. The face, ear tips, and feet are covered in smooth hair, with an abundant mane and frill.

Notice the coat color. A Shetland Sheepdog's coat may be black, blue merle, or sable. They have varying amounts of white and/or tan on their coats.

Identify feathering. Feathering, or "longer fringe of hair on ears, legs, tail, or body", appears on Shelties. This feathering occurs on the legs and tail, as well as the mane on the neck.

Identifying Temperament

See if the dog is active. Shetland Sheepdogs are natural herders, so even when they aren't farm dogs, they have an abundance of energy. They are swift and agile, needing more exercise than many other small dogs.

Check for intelligence. Shelties are bright dogs and require both physical and mental exercise. Activities such as obedience and agility can give them the mental stimulation they need.

Take notice if the dog is gentle. A Sheltie usually has a soft, sweet, gentle personality. They're polite around people, though may act shy around strangers, and peaceful toward other animals.

Watch for sensitivity. Shetland Sheepdogs may show extreme sensitivity to loud voices or stress. They may be overly reactive to noises or touch, being a bit easily startled.