Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog is a small active dog breed with a dense furry coat. They have ears that are upright and slightly bent. Their head is wedge-shaped with dark eyes.
Breed Profile
Height
13 - 16
Inches
Weight
14 - 20
Pounds
Life Span
12 – 14
Years
Health
health
Dermatomyositis
What is it?:
Dermatomyositis is a condition which causes swelling of the skin, blood vessels and muscles which can cause skin ulcers and loss of muscle.
Clinical signs
Dermatomyositis is generally hereditary condition and is mostly seen in puppies. The symptoms are:
1. Loss of hair
The dogs amay face hairloss due to the skin lesions. They may lick the affected wound due to the pain and irritation.
2. Atrophy in the muscle and loss of energy
Dermatomyositis causes swelling in the muscles and some dogs experience loss of muscle mass. This may lead to loss of movement, weakness and stiffness in the muscles.
3. Lesions on the skin
which may be crusted or ulcerated. These may be on the face, legs, tail, ears
4. Megaesophagus
It is a condition that causes the dilation of the esophagus. This makes it difficult for them to swallow food. It can also cause pneumonia and weight loss.
Treatment
Dermatomyositis can be treated with medication.
Eligible vet bill
$500
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Legg Perthes
What is it?:
Legg Perthes is a condition that is seen in small sized dogs. It is an illness where the hip joint degenerates.
Clinical signs
The symptoms of Legg Perthes are:
Lameness in the limbs that gets worse
Licking of the skin over the hip region
Anxiety, aggression and lethargy
Popping sounds in the joints
Pain while moving the hip bone
Treatment
Conservative therapy helps manage the symptoms of the condition.
In some cases, pain medications may be prescribed for discomfort and swelling.
In severe cases surgery may be performed to fix the condition.
Eligible vet bill
$3,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Energetic
The Shetland Sheepdog is an energetic dog breed and they love to play with their humans.
Intelligent
The Shetland Sheepdogs are smart and intelligent. They love a good challenge! Puzzle toys can be best for their sharp minds.
Obedient
Shetland Sheepdogs are people pleasers which makes them an obedient breed that likes to be trained.
Lifetime Care
Coat
They have a long double coat which is dense and harsh.
Colors
The Shetland Sheepdog is available in various colors like black, white, tan, sable, blue merle and sable merle.
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
The Shetland Sheepdog has a coat that is dense and needs brushing few times a week to prevent it from matting.
Training
The Shetland Sheepdog must be trained at an early stage. They love to people please and this makes them an obedient breed. Positive reinforcements should be used to motivate the breed.
The Shetland Sheepdogs have a great resemblance to the Colie but they are not direct descendants. They are a mix between the local dogs on the Scottish Shetland island and collies. The breed became more popular during the 20th century. They were generally employed by farmers for herding in Scotland.
Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction to the Breed
Physical Characteristics:
Dense coat
Wedged face
Upright ears with a bend
Dark eyes
Best suited for pet owners:
Who wants a peaceful and calm pet
Who has time to give them good exercise daily
Who can be around their Sheltie
Who wants a great watchdog
Things to watch out for before deciding to own a Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog may be reserved around strangers.
They are People, and pleasers and love, to be around their owners. They do not do well If left alone.
The breed is very energetic and requires a minimum of 1 hour of exercise.
They are a breed that will herd anything from birds to kids.
They may be vocal and bark at strangers as they are a very alert dog breed. This also makes them great watchdogs.
The Sheepdog Shetland has a habit of following anything be it cars, kids, or birds.
They require regular brushing of their coat to maintain their beauty and health.
What should a Shetland Sheepdog eat?
The Sheepdog Shetland must be given food twice a day which is balanced according to its weight, age, and size. They should have access to water and must be given good quality food to maintain their health.
Conclusion
The Sheepdog Shetland is a dog breed to own for people who like a dog that is calm and pleasing as well as alert when around strangers. They are very obedient in nature and easy to train. They are a good dog breed for active owners who need a workout buddy! They are also best suited for a new pet owner as they are extremely playful and affectionate and make their way into your hearts with their big brown eyes and beautiful furry coat.
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