The temptation exists to label the lovely Shetland Sheepdog as a miniature Collie, but this diminutive Collie look-alike is a breed unto itself in spite of its striking resemblance to the larger herding dog.

Both breeds probably have a common ancestor, a herding dog bred in the British Highlands, perhaps similar to today's Border Collie. The dogs that remained on the Scottish mainland eventually developed into the majestic Rough Collie; those that were taken to the Shetland Islands were “down-sized” to meet the needs of the island people and their undersized livestock.

The Shetland Islands lie northwest of the British Isles, between Scotland and Norway, about 50 miles north of Scotland and south by a bit of the Arctic Circle. The harsh climate, rugged terrain, and limited space of the islands have given the world a number of small breeds of animals, including Shetland ponies and the rare Shetland sheep. Winters are long, vegetation sparse, and growing season short. Wool and lamb are important commodities, and the crofters (small farmers) needed a small, hardy dog to herd the flocks. The Sheltie fit the bill.

The Sheltie's home islands are mostly uninhabited most of the year but are used for pasturing ponies, sheep, and cattle. The crofters made occasional inspection visits, but the dogs were independent and intelligent enough to leave in charge of the herds and flocks.

The Shetland Sheepdog is double-coated for warmth and weather-proofing; the long, flowing outer coat repels the cold rain and blocks the wind, and the soft undercoat insulates the skin. His small size and tremendous agility are suited for working sheep in rocky territory and for easy-keeping—he doesn't eat much or take up much room in the house.

In the early 1800s, the Sheltie was brought from his home islands to the mainland and he began to gain some notoriety as a herding dog. In 1909 the breed was recognized by the English Kennel Club as the Shetland Collie and in 1914 became known as the Shetland Sheepdog, a completely separate breed. Early on, the breed was described as "approximately a show Collie in miniature," and some crossbreeding with Rough Collies was done to fix the Collie head, ears, and coat. Unfortunately, the bigger dogs also introduced longer legs and larger bodies to the Sheltie gene pool. Spaniels were also crossed into the breed with mixed results; they brought calm dispositions and a conglomeration of undesirable physical traits, including domed heads, spaniel ears, and curly coats.

The Sheltie came to the US a year or so after it was recognized by the English club. The American Kennel Club registered its first Sheltie in 1911.

Shetland Sheepdog History