Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club

In Shetland through the ages, livestock has evolved on a diminutive scale in proportion to the landscape. Similarly the type of dogs that herded the livestock also evolved as a diminutive working dog, and this became known as the Sheltie. The Sheltie was probably a generic collie, and it was almost certainly the local shepherd's dog.

There was no breed standard, the shepherd just needed a tough, courageous, intelligent little dog. An engraving of 1840 in Lerwick shows a Sheltie in the foreground. Then in Lerwick, 1908, the 'Shetland Collie Club' was formed in an attempt to preserve the breed.

(Founded 1909)

Christmas time in 1914 the Kennel Club recognised the breed. The preferred breed name 'Shetland Collie' was refused, and the breed was named the 'Shetland Sheepdog'. Therefore the club represented by this website can be justifiably proud of being the originator of the Sheltie as a pedigree dog!

The Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie is a particularly well proportioned and handsome dog. The Sheltie is a dog of great intelligence and trainability. It still has many of the characteristics of a working sheepdog, and makes a fine guard dog, for it is loyal and affectionate to its owners, but wary of strangers.

The club requested Kennel Club recognition in 1909, but this was refused; later the same year The Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club was formed.

As the Kennel Club refused to recognise the breed, the Scottish club produced its own stud book, effectively providing a standard for the breed. Eventually at

Latest Updates / News

2007, 2008 & 2009 Championship Show Photographs are courtesy of Photocall

In 2009, The Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club celebrate their Centenary Year. They will be celebrating this amazing achievement with special gifts for exhibitors and winners at the up and coming championship show on the 28th of February. There will also be special goodies at their two open show later on in the year.

The Scottish Shetland Sheepdog 2009 Calendar is now sold out. The club would like to thank every one who bought one of our calendars this year. If you would like your shelties to feature in the 2010 edition please send your photographs to Stuart at the address below. Your photographic models can only be Shetland Sheepdogs. No humans please!

Stuart Smith

10 Almondbank

Lochtyview, Glenrothes,

Fife,

KY7 4US

Or E-Mail: calendar@scottish-sheltie.org.uk

Seminar Details can now be found on our events page

Changes to the breed Standard can now be viewed on our Breed Standard page.

Visitors since 23rd January, 2004.
The Web Site was Last Updated 01 March 2009