![Shetland Sheepdog Dog Breed](/sites/default/files/styles/square_medium_440x440/public/2022-08/Shetland-Sheepdog.jpg?itok=FLVMs6SG)
Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
Exercise needs: | 4/5 |
Easy to train: | 5/5 |
Tolerates being alone: | 2/5 |
Likes other pets: | 4/5 |
Energy level: | 4/5 |
Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
Shedding: | 5/5 |
The Shetland Sheepdog breed can suffer from:
- Patellar luxation
- Legg- Perthes disease
- Collie eye anomaly which is an inherited condition where the eye does not develop properly, potentially leading to blindness.
- Multiple drug sensitivity which is a condition where dogs are particularly sensitive to certain types of drugs.
- Von Willebrand's disease which is where a dog produces insufficient or faulty clotting factors which can result in uncontrolled bleeding.
- Progressive retinal atrophy which is an inherited disorder where part of the eye degenerates and wastes away which can result in blindness.
- Hypothyroidism¹ where the thyroid gland is underactive and does not product enough thyroid hormone. This can result in low energy levels, weight gain and skin problems.
- Distichiasis² which is an often painful condition where small eyelashes grow from the inside of the eyelid, rubbing on the surface of the eye.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
- Eye screening scheme
¹L. J. Kennedy , 'Association of canine hypothyroidism with a common major histocompatibility complex DLA class II allele', 2006, Tissue Antigens
²K. Zdzisław et al, 'Co2 Laser Treatment Of Canine Distichiasis', 2014, Eastern European Journal of Veterinary Ophthalmology
The Sheltie may look every inch the show dog, and these days many are, but under the glorious coat, there is a strong, active working breed with a sharp mind and bags of energy. Devoted to their owners, Shetland Sheepdogs can take a while to warm to strangers, and they are never off duty – always ready to alert their owner to whatever catches their eye!