What is the life expectancy of a Shetland sheep dog?
12-18 years
Shetland Sheepdog
| hideTraits | |
|---|---|
| Coat | long double coat |
| Colour | sable, mahogany sable, shaded sable, tri-coloured, bi-black, bi-blue, blue merle, bi-blue merle, sable merle, colour headed white, double merle, black and tan |
| Litter size | 4-6 puppies |
| Life span | 12-18 years (average) |
Do Shetland sheepdogs have health problems?
The Sheltie has a lifespan of 12 to 14 years and may be prone to minor concerns like patellar luxation, allergies, hypothyroidism, Legg-Perthes, canine hip dysplasia, hemophilia, trichiasis, cataract, Collie eye anomaly, and progressive retinal atrophy, or a major one like dermatomyositis.
Are Shetland sheepdogs healthy?
Shelties can suffer from inherited health problems like Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, Collie Eye, Dermatomyositis and Von Willebrande’s Disease. As such, they’re more likely to carry inherited diseases, as well as infectious diseases from the unsanitary breeding conditions.
Are Shetland sheepdogs high maintenance?
Shelties are an active breed and need exercise everyday…more than just a 10 minute walk around the block. Shelties need regular biweekly grooming (brushing is a necessity!) and they shed extensively.
What are Shetland sheepdogs known for?
Shetland sheepdogs are known for their gentle, sweet, pleasing personality. They are also playful and affectionate, all traits that have made them a popular family pet. Breed experts often comment that Shelties like to please; coupled with their intelligence, it is no wonder they excel at obedience training.
What are Shetland sheepdogs prone to?
hypothyroidism
Shelties are prone to a common condition called hypothyroidism in which the body doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. Signs can include dry skin and coat, hair loss, susceptibility to other skin diseases, weight gain, fearfulness, aggression, or other behavioral changes.
Are Shelties prone to kidney disease?
Kidney Disorder Fanconi syndrome is a disorder of the kidneys that allows vital blood nutrients to escape into the urine. Because these nutrients are so important, affected Shelties can experience excessive urination and thirst, weight loss, and weakness due to abnormal electrolyte levels.
Do Shetland sheepdogs bark a lot?
Shelties can be reserved with strangers, although not aggressive. They’re very protective of their family and quick to bark to let you know someone’s coming, which makes them good watchdogs. Speaking of barking, this is a vocal dog that likes to bark … a lot.
Do sheepdogs shed?
They tend to drool and are heavy shedders. Also, their heavy coats trap debris and dirt, which ends up on your furniture and floor. Originally bred for driving cattle and sheep, the OES is an active breed that requires a lot of exercise. The Old English Sheepdog coat is high maintenance.
What kind of health problems does a Shetland Sheepdog have?
Quick list of Shetland Sheepdog health problems. Many Shelties are blind or vision-impaired, from hereditary eye diseases. Epilepsy and heart disease are serious concerns in Shelties. Also a severe blood-clotting disease. Both hip dysplasia and a degenerative hip disease called Legg-Calve-Perthes occur in Shelties.
What kind of socialization does a Shetland Sheepdog need?
To build a confident temperament, the Shetland Sheepdog needs more extensive socialization than many other breeds. Shelties become unhappy when left for long periods of time without companionship, and unhappiness can translate to neurotic behaviors, destructive chewing, or chronic barking.
What kind of dog is a Shetland sheep dog?
Proud and animated, the Shetland Sheepdog is a swift, light-footed runner and an agile, graceful jumper. Though on the small side, this breed has the heritage of an active herding dog and needs more exercise than many other smallish dogs. More importantly, Shelties need “mental exercise.”.
Are there any behavioral issues with a Sheltie?
The major behavioral issue with Shelties, in fact, is excessive barking, and some individuals have high-pitched, piercing voices. If you want a dog who… Is conveniently-sized, light on his feet, and graceful