As ASSA Health chairperson, people who want to purchase a Sheltie frequently contact me asking what they should know about the breed’s health problems. A recent call highlighted some concerns expressed by both breeders and owners about the current focus on canine health and research and how it reflects on the perceived health of purebred dogs and Shelties in particular.

"I am interested in buying a Sheltie but when I hear about all the tests my puppy’s parents should have it worries me. I see your club is involved in various health research projects and is trying to raise money for further research. Should I look for a healthier breed? When I spoke with one breeder I was told about all the tests her dogs have had for a lot of diseases. I can get a Sheltie from another person who told me they don’t have to test for problems since they don’t have any in their lines. What do you think?"

Testing for diseases and monitoring the occurrence of diseases by breed clubs and breeders does not indicate that problems exist in that breed or line. In fact it is a positive indication that the people who breed these dogs are trying to produce the healthiest puppies they can. As researchers become more aware of the underlying causes for many diseases in our dogs, breeders try to use all the resources available to them to produce healthy dogs. This includes feeding a proper diet, providing proper exercise and housing and may include testing for abnormal conditions or diseases that exist in the breed. Testing for specific conditions will allow only unaffected animals to be used for breeding. The abnormal conditions currently recognized in Shelties are found in low numbers in the breed. Testing will allow these uncommon conditions to remain uncommon or even be eliminated from the breed.

A test may be one that screens for the presence of a condition or disease. This would include eye exams (CERF)**, radiographs of the hips for hip dysplasia (OFA, PennHip) or a blood test for thyroid disease. When a dog has one of these tests done it will tell the owner whether the condition is present in that dog at that time. Many of these tests need to be repeated throughout the dog’s lifetime since the condition can develop as the animal matures and ages. Some tests are done just once at a predetermined age since it is unlikely the condition will develop after that time. Checking for these conditions will allow breeders to breed only dogs that appear normal. What must be remembered is that although the dog may not show the condition him/herself these tests do not show if the dog is genetically free of the problem. The dog may appear normal but carry recessive genes. When this dog is bred to another dog also carrying recessive genes they may produce animals that will develop the disease. This is how affected animals can come from "normal" parents. The best safeguard we have to reduce or eliminate these problems in our dogs is to screen all breeding stock and breed only from those who are free of the condition. In the case of eye checks and thyroid testing, it must be repeated many times in a dog’s lifetime since these abnormalities may not appear until an animal is older. If all animals in the first 3-4 generations of your puppy’s pedigree have been tested and found normal it is unlikely that your puppy will develop the condition. It is important to point out that many of the disease conditions we recognize as having a genetic basis can also be influenced by the environment. The development of hip dysplasia is a good example. Research has shown diet and exercise as well as growth rates, can influence the development of hip dysplasia. Obesity can cause or aggravate a number of disease conditions in dogs. It is the owner’s responsibility to know how to correctly feed, house and exercise their growing puppy to ensure a healthy adult and to maintain good health in your adult dog.

The only absolute way to know your puppy will not develop a certain disease or condition is through genetic testing. A genetic test allows us to know what is actually coded in the genes of the animal being bred. It is not influenced by environment or outside stresses. It will tell you what genes the dog actually carries and not just which ones are expressed. Research is unlocking the key to many diseases in dogs and people. As these tests are developed and become available, breeders will test their breeding stock and know the genetic makeup of each animal. This will allow breedings to be planned to avoid producing affected offspring and to eventually eliminate the disease from the breed. The only genetic based test currently available for the Shetland Sheepdog is for von Willebrand’s Disease, a bleeding disorder. (As of 2008, additional DNA tests have become available. See the CHIC section.)

That is why all this research is so important. Projects are underway to study many of the conditions that affect our Shelties today. Funding is needed for other projects that are of equal importance. As we eliminate one disease from our animals there will be others to demand our attention. That is why parent clubs like the ASSA monitor the breed through health surveys. Living creatures including dogs and man are constantly changing. Gene mutations are an ongoing process. Some mutations will produce disease conditions not recognized today.

It is said all people carry 5-6 lethal genes as well as numerous genes that can cause the development of many disease conditions. The same is probably true for our dogs. The challenge for breeders is to use all the knowledge available today to avoid breeding animals together that carry the same deleterious genes. There is no dog or line of dogs that is free of all disease causing genes. If testing is not done, breeders may not be aware of problems that exist, but they are still there. It is true some diseases can’t be tested for at this time. They can be unpredictable and the best we can do is not use for breeding animals that develop the condition.

So don’t be afraid of a breed or breeder that is active in health research and testing of their breeding animals. This indicates the acceptance of responsibility and an ongoing effort to produce beautiful healthy Shelties.

The Shetland Sheepdog, or ‘Sheltie' as they are often called, generally resembles the Collie in miniature. Because of the similarity, they are often called a Miniature Collie, but the Sheltie is actually a distinctly separate breed, and was not bred down from the fullsize Collie. The breed evolved from hardy ancestors which lived on the Shetland Islands off the northeast coast of Scotland. The Sheltie developed as a hardy herding dog, alert guard dog, and an intelligent and affectionate companion. Their attentiveness and his willingness to obey were qualities desired by the crofter and the shepherd.

Shelties have an intense desire to please their owners and an enormous capacity for love and affection, although they can be a bit reserved or reticent with strangers. They are not recommended for people, or very young children, who would not appreciate their sensitive nature.

As a Sheltie matures, he often learns to respond in an almost human fashion, and becomes a real member of the family. The Sheltie is exceptionally trainable and responsive, plus being an outstanding worker in obedience, herding, and agility trials. Shelties raised as pets develop a great deal of loyalty to their owners and seem to have a natural affinity for children, being gentle and loving companions for them. Unlike some other breeds, there is little difference in temperament between male and female Shelties, although some feel that males are more affectionate and make better pets. Early socialization experiences will help a young Sheltie mature into the desired companion. Shelties are very alert and protective, and will bark to let you know something is different in their realm.

According to the standard of the breed, the ideal Sheltie should stand between 13" and 16" at the shoulder, and will generally weigh 20-25 pounds. Both oversize and undersize Shelties can appear in the same litter, and can make great pets. Another common fault is incorrect ear carriage - the top of the ears should tip forward, and a good breeder can give you advice on proper ear care through puppyhood. Although a breeder cannot predict accurately that a young puppy will have correct ears or be within proper size range when grown, they can give you an educated guess about those qualities.

Although both of these aspects are important for the show/breeding prospect, they will have no effect upon your Sheltie’s qualities as a good pet. The Sheltie comes in five acceptable colors, all set off by white markings: The most common color is Sable ranging from golden brown to mahogany, with touches of black; Tri-color with black, and tan; Blue Merle with blue grey, black, and tan; Bi-blue with blue-grey and black; and Bi-black with only black and white.

Shelties have a double coat, the outer layer consisting of long, straight, coarse hair, and the undercoat being short, furry, and very dense. Mature males have a more impressive coat than females. How much grooming your Sheltie will need depends on the individual dog. Overall, the Sheltie is a very clean dog, and on the average needs only a weekly brushing (it's helpful to spray mist with water when brushing). Be sure to check for mats behind the ears, under the elbow on each front leg, and in the pants' under the tail. Toenails and hair between the pads need to be trimmed every several weeks.Start your puppy at a young age learning to be groomed once a week including opening the mouth and checking and cleaning the teeth. Your vet will be very pleased if you accustom your dog to handling on examining. Correctly guided and encouraged, most Shelties learn to love grooming and look forward to it as a special quality' time.

A Sheltie needs a fair amount of exercise but will adapt himself to your way of life. They will do well in any environment: as long as the necessary exercise is provided. Between 12 and 20 weeks of age, a puppy should be given various socialization experiences, including trips to the park, playground, shopping center, a friend's home, or other places where your puppy is welcome. This socialization will help the puppy develop a friendly temperament and become used to strange circumstances.

With high-quality food and regular vet care, Shelties can easily live to be 14 years old. Be sure to place your puppy under veterinary supervision, and be certain that it receives its inoculations and is regularly checked for parasites. Your dog should have all its protective shots before exposing it to the general canine population. The breeder should provide you information on feeding, caring for your dog, vaccinations and a written contract covering the conditions of sale as a pet. Pet quality dogs should not be used for breeding, and most are sold with a spay/’neuter' contract. Sometimes the AKC registration is withheld until the dog is neutered, or the breeder may opt to use the AKC's Limited Registration option. It is a medical fact that spayed bitches are healthier and live longer than un-spayed bitches. After being neutered, most males will become more tolerantant of other male dogs and cannot develop testicular cancer and they will be less susceptible to prostrate cancer. The best way to find a Sheltie is to contact a Breeder Referral representative of an established Sheltie breed club. You should investigate the availability of an ASSA member club in your area to see what they offer in the way of education and Sheltie performance events that may include: herding, agility, tracking, obedience and conformation.

If you have a chance to visit a dog show, the Sheltie exhibitors there may have puppies at home for sale, or can direct you to a good source. Before buying a puppy, the ASSA recommends that you ask to see both parents, or at least the mother; and, if at all possible, evaluate the temperament and socialization of the mother and puppies. Also ask if the parents have had their eyes and hips checked, and if any genetic problems have shown-up in any of the dog's ancestors or relatives. Enjoy your Shelties with their sweet, willing- to-please nature and expression, and that special ‘something' that makes them a joy to be around and own. 

What a stupid question – can hear you all say “ Oh the judge will judge according to the standard .”

Yes indeed , we all follow the breed standard . Every judges interpretation of the standard varies to some degree , sometimes to alarming degrees . We have both All Rounder Judges and Breed Specialist Judges judging our dogs . Specialists are usually more demanding and obsess more about certain hallmarks than our All Rounders. Opinions from both Specialists and All Rounders are good for the breed. Trends and presentation styles change but the Shetland Sheepdog Breed Standard remains a firm , definite guide for breeders and judges to follow . The onus is equally shared between the breeders and the judges to breed and judge according to the Breed Standard.

The General Appearance of the Sheltie Standard gives the judge a perfect idea of what to expect of our beautiful breed. “ Small , long haired, WORKING dog of GREAT BEAUTY, free from cloddiness and coarseness. Outline symmetrical so that no part appears out of PROPORTION to the whole. Abundant coat, mane and frill , shapeliness of head and sweetness of expression combine to present the ideal”. That is the picture , concise ,not complicated . Wording describing what picture you want to see .

( It is interesting to note that the General Appearance of the Rough Collie, closely related historically to our modern day Shetland Sheepdog also mentions beauty and proportion. General Appearance “ The Collie should instantly appeal as a dog of GREAT BEAUTY, standing with impassive dignity, with no part out of PROPORTION to the whole.”)

Here is just a brief list of what I look for when judging Shetland Sheepdogs. The whole standard not covered by any means: you all have the standard and can follow up on the “what every dog has” stuff. I have simply highlighted the some of the unique , special hallmarks that make up our beloved breed . 

HEAD: Shapeliness of head and sweetness of expression combine to present the ideal. It is all the combinations that make the perfect head and expression so difficult to achieve .

Characteristic expression from a simple sounding mix:

1 Perfect balance and combination of skull and foreface Not skully, not snipey .

2 Shape, colour and placement of eyes . Shape ALMOND , MEDIUM size , OBLIQUELY set , Colour DARK BROWN except for Merles

3 Ears Correct position and placement of ears. Small , fairly close together on top of skull . When alert brought forward with tips falling forward .

4 Mouth Well developed underjaw ( remember , these are sheep ankle – biters ) and perfect scissor bite.

NECK and BODY : The neck and body are what produce the graceful sweeps and curves, the Sheltie “S”

Neck is well arched and allows head to be carried proudly.

Body Slightly longer than height at withers. Chest deep to point of elbow.

Back level , with GRACEFUL SWEEP over loins, croup sloping gradually to the rear

FORE and HINDQUARTERS pretty straightforward. Strong boned. Shoulders well laid back. Upper arm approx. equal in length to shoulder blade. Hindquarters: thighs broad and muscled. Well angulated stifle joint. Hocks straight .

TAIL: Set LOW, of good length ie reaching to at least hock. NEVER kinked or carried over level of back. Furnishings and graceful carriage complete the silhouette of the dog.

MOVEMENT: The desired lithe , smooth and graceful with strong drive from hindquarters . Covering plenty of ground easily .

PACING, PLAITING, ROLLING OR STIFF, STILTED UP AND DOWN MOVEMENT HIGHLY UNDESDIRABLE

SIZE : Bitches to look like bitches and Dogs to look like dogs. Ideals: Dogs 37cms at withers Bitches 35.5cms at withers.

Dreaded rider: More than 2.5cm above or below ideal height highly undesirable .

Although small in stature, Shelties make their presence felt in the Herding /Working / Pastoral Groups .

A beautiful breed. Good to see bigger Sheltie entries at shows again and even more pleasing to see the promising youngsters being shown.

September 2018 

Breed standards exist in order to keep each breed within it’s set parameters, to keep breeders on the straight and narrow, to provide guidelines to dog owners, and to remind judges on the important aspects of each breed. It is in fact a “blueprint” for breeders and judges!

Within each breed there are variations, styles/ types, and the Sheltie is no exception. As in everything in life, we have our personal preferences, whether it be the darkness of the shading on the coat, the quirkiness of the temperament, or the prettiness of the face, or the patterns of the white markings etc – but we always need to remember to stick to the set guidelines in order to keep our breed REAL.

Some hallmarks of our breed:

• Character should be alert, gentle, active

• Soft, almond-shaped eyes with a melting expression

• Small, semi erect ears, set high on the head, adding to the attentive expression

• The movement is lithe, smooth & graceful

While breeders need to do their best to keep their breeding dogs within the parameters laid out in the standard, there are always dogs produced that are outside of these guidelines – perhaps a puppy that is too big, or too small, or of the incorrect colour, or that displays an undesirable trait. These should not be used in a breeding program, but can make fabulous pets to Sheltie enthusiasts, or be homed as performance dogs. It is the breeder’s duty to sift through what they produce, think of their long-term goals, and keep the important traits to produce future generations. No dog is perfect, but we should be adding to the desirable attributes with every generation, in essence improving the overall quality of the breed. This will have a domino effect, and the performance and pet Shelties should also be increasing in quality.

Breeders with goals will need to get their dogs out there, to be seen and promoted. A breeder’s duty is to educate & inform people what their breed is all about. A breeder also needs to ‘prove worthiness’ by showing their dogs and titling them in the Conformation ring. Unfortunately, this is often where the wheels fall off for a lot of breeds! It is here that, I feel, breeds can be damaged. Judges are put in a position of authority (I am not disputing the fact that judges are knowledgeable), but often this fails a breed horribly! By breeding to goals, with pure intentions, and then winning in the showring & being appreciated by breed specialists, breeders can walk away with a sense of fulfilled satisfaction. They can be happy with the knowledge that they are on the right path, and have a feeling of achievement, having gained a specialist’s approval. For a breeder, there is nothing to top that proud feeling!
But there’s another side of that coin. The majority of judges out there are NOT breed specialists, they are studying groups and reading up on breeds in order to give us their opinions on show day. We stand before them, hoping that they will recognise our efforts in our breeding choices, and award those specimens closest to the ideal as laid out in the breed standard. Unfortunately, with Shelties, we stand amongst a lot of larger breeds – Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, White Swiss Shepherds, all of which show very different traits to that which the Sheltie should have. A lot of judges see “Herding dogs” as a whole and treat them as such and judge them with those “stronger” traits in mind, forgetting that the sheltie is a “sweeps & curves” type of dog, more dainty and sweet than a lot of the breeds in the same group. We are not supposed to be encouraging course, level backed dogs with great strides, for instance, but rather encouraging breeders to breed the best examples of what is laid out in our standard, and present those on show day.

In addition, we have a “split” in our breed. We have those original, light-framed English dogs that are pure to the original when the breed was created, and then we have those that have been “Americanised” with the sentiment that “bigger is better”. Every feature has been enhanced to the point where the 2 styles appear to be 2 different breeds. This in itself is incredibly difficult to work around, as the original should be the blueprint, but the “new and improved” version is much more “flashy” and has much more ring presence when shown. When comparing the two styles next to each other it is easy to see why judges are awarding the more American style – they appear sounder, more sturdy in their structure, their temperaments are stronger, and some of their features are easier to see (they are more pronounced). This does not by any means put these dogs above the original style of sheltie, but rather (in my opinion) points out where the original perhaps lacks, and where we can improve on it. An apparent “better” dog may no longer fall within the hallmarks that class the dog as a Sheltie, yet it is still being awarded over a dog that is.

I am of the humble opinion that It is here that the breeders should be concentrating – breeding better English dogs!  And if it means using the American dogs in our breeding programs in order to tweak the problem areas, then so be it.

But, both styles are shown alongside each other and the “wrong” attributes often get awarded. Rather award a sound, coarser dog over a bad “original” style….yes, but then a good “original” style should win over an equally good “new & improved, flashy” style.

Uneducated judges, or judges that think it’s ok to put up “incorrect” dogs because they appear flashy or showy are, in fact, doing the breed an injustice. They are encouraging breeders to breed to win, rather than to breed to the typical original. Trends take over and judges & breeders are basically steering our breed into the dark side, a very sad situation altogether.

The more the trend takes on, the more we lose of the original type of dog, the dog that was created to look a certain way, and to behave a certain way. It becomes the norm and is seen more and more to the point where members get their clubs to put forward changes in the standard, thereby changing the breed requirements. This is very sad for those that have maintained a meticulous breeding program, and have bred, generation upon generation, of to-the-standard dogs, that will now be deemed as incorrect/ unpopular or non-show dogs. Dogs that are “correct” are finding themselves in the minority as breeders are fighting trends that sweep through the show world, and some breeders are trying to fight these trends and losing to “single focus thinking”

Good judges and Specialist judges, together with the breeders are the guardians of our breeds – choose them wisely! A judge’s responsibility is to award the dog that best represents what is written in the standard. The breed standard should take precedence over personal opinions or preferences. And for the breeder, what is more important – winning or breeding to standard? For me, my number one is education –  the teaching of the standard, mentoring up-and-coming breeders, and sticking to my goals in maintaining the highest standard of sheltie that meets the specifications that are laid out in our “doggy-bible”.

I aim to present more and more "correct" dogs to the Judges in order to allow them to "not forget" what the real Sheltie is!