Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdog

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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.

Health
Personality
Lifetime Care

Breed Profile

Height

13 - 16

Inches

Weight

14 - 20

Pounds

Life Span

12 – 14

Years

Health

health

Dermatomyositis

Affects
20%
of dogs

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

Reimbursement Rate

Amount a Spot accident & illness plan could cover*

$450

Your Net payment

$50

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*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

Affects
20%
of dogs

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

Reimbursement Rate

Amount a Spot accident & illness plan could cover*

$2,700

Your Net payment

$300

Click For Price

*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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