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The Shetland Sheepdog is so beloved that not solely does the breed sport a cute nickname (with devotees dubbing the canines Shelties), additionally they have their very personal pet vacation: International Sheltie Day!
When is International Sheltie Day?
International Sheltie Day takes place every year on June 1st.
What’s In a Name?
The identify of this herding canine is an homage to the land of the breed’s start, the Shetland Islands of Scotland.
The breed has been identified by a lot of names over time, beginning with the Shetland Collie, a moniker that was nixed by devotees of the Rough Collie.
Shelties have been additionally as soon as referred to as the Dwarf Scotch Shepherd, in addition to Toonie Dog, which is a now out of date Scottish colloquialism for the phrase “farm.”
Related submit: Sheltie Names from the Shetland Islands!
Fun Facts
In celebration of National Sheltie Day, we’ve fetched a couple of enjoyable info concerning the breed:
A Shetland Sheepdog’s DNA consists of the Scottish Collie, the King Charles Spaniel, the Pomeranian, the Greenland Yakki (a breed which has since been misplaced to the world) and the Rough Collie, which was launched on the daybreak of the twentieth century.
Long stay the Sheltie! The common life span for members of the breed ranges from 12 – 14 years.
A breed with each magnificence and brains, the Shetland Sheepdog was ranked the sixth most clever canine breed on the earth, in keeping with a 2023 Reader’s Digest report.
A breed that holds the primary spot within the coronary heart of anybody who’s lucky sufficient to welcome a Sheltie into their life, the Shetland Sheepdog additionally ranks excessive on the American Kennel Club’s annual checklist of the most well-liked canine breeds, touchdown at quantity 28 in 2021.
Often confused with the Rough Collie, the Shetland Sheepdog will be distinguished from that breed by their a lot smaller body. (The Rough Collie stands at roughly 21 – 16 inches, whereas the Sheltie isn’t any taller than 16 inches.)
According to the American Shetland Sheepdog Association, the Sheltie coat can are available black, blue merle, and sable, and will be accented with white markings.
Famous Shelties
Did {that a} Sheltie named Calamity Jane as soon as strolled via the halls of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? Calvin Coolidge’s Shetland Sheepdog was given the identify by First Lady Grace Coolidge because of the canine’s propensity to get soiled. According to The Presidential Pet Museum, the thirtieth President even had a canine bathtub tub put in in The White House simply to maintain his barking buddy clear. (Learn extra concerning the dogs who have called the White House home.)
Since 2017 Miley Cyrus has sported a tattoo of her Sheltie on her interior forearm! Adopted by the “Flowers” singer in 2014, Emu (who additionally solutions to the candy sobriquet “MuMu“) even makes a cameo within the music video for Miley’s hit “Malibu.”
Although the Shetland Sheepdog has but to win the coveted Best in Show title on the Westminster Dog Show, in 2022 a Sheltie named Bee ran via the course of the Westminster Dog Show Agility Championship at 29.81 seconds, and buzzed to the highest step of the rostrum!
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Disney devotees who watched The Wonderful World of Disney within the Nineteen Seventies could keep in mind the TV film The Little Shepherd Dog of Catalina, which featured a Shetland Sheepdog in the principle function.
Adopting a Shetland Sheepdog
If you’re considering of turning into a pet mum or dad to a Shetland Sheepdog, there are numerous breed particular rescue organizations throughout the United States which can be devoted to discovering endlessly houses for Shelties. To discover a Shetland Sheepdog rescue or different rescue group in your space, go to:
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