Sheltie Info
| Hangman Kennels |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
American Shetland Sheepdog
Association
www.assa.org
Association
www.assa.org
American Kennel Club
www.akc.org
www.akc.org
AKC Standard
Herding Group
General Appearance
Preamble-- The Shetland Sheepdog, like the Collie, traces to the Border Collie of
Scotland, which, transported to the Shetland Islands and crossed with small, intelligent,
longhaired breeds, was reduced to miniature proportions. Subsequently crosses were
made from time to time with Collies. This breed now bears the same relationship in
size and general appearance to the Rough Collie as the Shetland Pony does to some
of the larger breeds of horses. Although the resemblance between the Shetland
Sheepdog and the Rough Collie is marked, there are differences which may be noted.
The Shetland Sheepdog is a small, alert, rough-coated, longhaired working dog. He
must be sound, agile and sturdy. The outline should be so symmetrical that no part
appears out of proportion to the whole. Dogs should appear masculine; bitches
feminine.
Size, Proportion, Substance
The Shetland Sheepdog should stand between 13 and 16 inches at the shoulder. Note:
Height is determined by a line perpendicular to the ground from the top of the shoulder
blades, the dog standing naturally, with forelegs parallel to line of measurement.
Disqualifications-- Heights below or above the desired size range are to be disqualified
from the show ring.
In overall appearance, the body should appear moderately long as measured from
shoulder joint to ischium (rearmost extremity of the pelvic bone), but much of this length
is actually due to the proper angulation and breadth of the shoulder and hindquarter, as
the back itself should be comparatively short.
Head
The head should be refined and its shape, when viewed from top or side, should be a
long, blunt wedge tapering slightly from ears to nose.
Expression-- Contours and chiseling of the head, the shape, set and use of ears, the
placement, shape and color of the eyes combine to produce expression. Normally the
expression should be alert, gentle, intelligent and questioning. Toward strangers the
eyes should show watchfulness and reserve, but no fear.
Eyes medium size with dark, almond-shaped rims, set somewhat obliquely in skull.
Color must be dark, with blue or merle eyes permissible in blue merles only. Faults--
Light, round, large or too small. Prominent haws. Ears small and flexible, placed high,
carried three-fourths erect, with tips breaking forward. When in repose the ears fold
lengthwise and are thrown back into the frill. Faults-- Set too low. Hound, prick, bat,
twisted ears. Leather too thick or too thin.
Skull and Muzzle Top of skull should be flat, showing no prominence at nuchal crest (the
top of the occiput). Cheeks should be flat and should merge smoothly into a well-
rounded muzzle. Skull and muzzle should be of equal length, balance point being inner
corner of eye. In profile the top line of skull should parallel the top line of muzzle, but on a
higher plane due to the presence of a slight but definite stop. Jaws clean and powerful.
The deep, well-developed underjaw, rounded at chin, should extend to base of nostril.
Nose must be black. Lips tight. Upper and lower lips must meet and fit smoothly
together all the way around. Teeth level and evenly spaced. Scissors bite.
Faults-- Two-angled head. Too prominent stop, or no stop. Overfill below, between, or
above eyes. Prominent nuchal crest. Domed skull. Prominent cheekbones. Snipy
muzzle. Short, receding, or shallow underjaw, lacking breadth and depth. Overshot or
undershot, missing or crooked teeth. Teeth visible when mouth is closed.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck should be muscular, arched, and of sufficient length to carry the head proudly.
Faults-- Too short and thick.
Back should be level and strongly muscled. Chest should be deep, the brisket reaching
to point of elbow. The ribs should be well sprung, but flattened at their lower half to allow
free play of the foreleg and shoulder. Abdomen moderately tucked up. Faults-- Back too
long, too short, swayed or roached. Barrel ribs. Slab-side. Chest narrow and/or too
shallow. There should be a slight arch at the loins, and the croup should slope gradually
to the rear. The hipbone (pelvis) should be set at a 30-degree angle to the spine.
Faults-- Croup higher than withers. Croup too straight or too steep.
The tail should be sufficiently long so that when it is laid along the back edge of the hind
legs the last vertebra will reach the hock joint. Carriage of tail at rest is straight down or
in a slight upward curve. When the dog is alert the tail is normally lifted, but it should not
be curved forward over the back.
Faults-- Too short. Twisted at end.
Forequarters
From the withers, the shoulder blades should slope at a 45-degree angle forward and
downward to the shoulder joints. At the withers they are separated only by the vertebra,
but they must slope outward sufficiently to accommodate the desired spring of rib. The
upper arm should join the shoulder blade at as nearly as possible a right angle. Elbow
joint should be equidistant from the ground and from the withers. Forelegs straight
viewed from all angles, muscular and clean, and of strong bone. Pasterns very strong,
sinewy and flexible. Dewclaws may be removed. Faults-- Insufficient angulation
between shoulder and upper arm. Upper arm too short. Lack of outward slope of
shoulders. Loose shoulders. Turning in or out of elbows. Crooked legs. Light bone.
Feet should be oval and compact with the toes well arched and fitting tightly together.
Pads deep and tough, nails hard and strong. Faults-- Feet turning in or out. Splay feet.
Hare feet. Cat feet.
Hindquarters
The thigh should be broad and muscular. The thighbone should be set into the pelvis at
a right angle corresponding to the angle of the shoulder blade and upper arm. Stifle
bones join the thighbone and should be distinctly angled at the stifle joint. The overall
length of the stifle should at least equal the length of the thighbone, and preferably
should slightly exceed it. Hock joint should be clean-cut, angular, sinewy, with good
bone and strong ligamentation. The hock (metatarsus) should be short and straight
viewed from all angles. Dewclaws should be removed. Faults-- Narrow thighs. Cow-
hocks. Hocks turning out. Poorly defined hock joint.
Feet as in forequarters.
Coat
The coat should be double, the outer coat consisting of long, straight, harsh hair; the
undercoat short, furry, and so dense as to give the entire coat its "standoff" quality. The
hair on face, tips of ears and feet should be smooth. Mane and frill should be abundant,
and particularly impressive in males. The forelegs well feathered, the hind legs heavily
so, but smooth below the hock joint. Hair on tail profuse. Note: Excess-hair on ears,
feet, and on hocks may be trimmed for the show ring. Faults-- Coat short or flat, in
whole or in part; wavy, curly, soft or silky. Lack of undercoat. Smooth-coated specimens.
Color
Black, blue merle, and sable (ranging from golden through mahogany); marked with
varying amounts of white and/or tan. Faults-- Rustiness in a black or a blue coat.
Washed-out or degenerate colors, such as pale sable and faded blue. Self-color in the
case of blue merle, that is, without any merling or mottling and generally appearing as a
faded or dilute tri-color. Conspicuous white body spots. Specimens with more than 50
percent white shall be so severely penalized as to effectively eliminate them from
competition. Disqualification-- Brindle.
Gait
The trotting gait of the Shetland Sheepdog should denote effortless speed and
smoothness. There should be no jerkiness, nor stiff, stilted, up-and-down movement.
The drive should be from the rear, true and straight, dependent upon correct angulation,
musculation, and ligamentation of the entire hindquarter, thus allowing the dog to reach
well under his body with his hind foot and propel himself forward. Reach of stride of the
foreleg is dependent upon correct angulation, musculation and ligamentation of the
forequarters, together with correct width of chest and construction of rib cage. The foot
should be lifted only enough to clear the ground as the leg swings forward. Viewed from
the front, both forelegs and hindlegs should move forward almost perpendicular to
ground at the walk, slanting a little inward at a slow trot, until at a swift trot the feet are
brought so far inward toward center line of body that the tracks left show two parallel
lines of footprints actually touching a center line at their inner edges. There should be no
crossing of the feet nor throwing of the weight from side to side.
Faults-- Stiff, short steps, with a choppy, jerky movement. Mincing steps, with a hopping
up and down, or a balancing of weight from side to side (often erroneously admired as
a "dancing gait" but permissible in young puppies). Lifting of front feet in hackney-like
action, resulting in loss of speed and energy. Pacing gait.
Temperament
The Shetland Sheepdog is intensely loyal, affectionate, and responsive to his owner.
However, he may be reserved toward strangers but not to the point of showing fear or
cringing in the ring. Faults-- Shyness, timidity, or nervousness. Stubbornness,
snappiness, or ill temper.
Scale of Points
General Appearance
Symmetry 10
Temperament 10
Coat 5 25
Head
Skull and stop 5
Muzzle 5
Eyes, ears and expression 10 20
Body
Neck and back 5
Chest, ribs and brisket 10
Loin, croup and tail 5 20
Forequarters
Shoulder 10
Forelegs and feet 5 15
Hindquarters
Hip, thigh and stifle 10
Hocks and feet 5 15
Gait
Gait--smoothness and lack of wasted
motion when trotting 5 5
Total 100
Disqualifications
Heights below or above the desired size range, i.e., 13-16 inches.
Brindle color.
Approved May 12, 1959
Reformatted July 18, 1990
Herding Group
General Appearance
Preamble-- The Shetland Sheepdog, like the Collie, traces to the Border Collie of
Scotland, which, transported to the Shetland Islands and crossed with small, intelligent,
longhaired breeds, was reduced to miniature proportions. Subsequently crosses were
made from time to time with Collies. This breed now bears the same relationship in
size and general appearance to the Rough Collie as the Shetland Pony does to some
of the larger breeds of horses. Although the resemblance between the Shetland
Sheepdog and the Rough Collie is marked, there are differences which may be noted.
The Shetland Sheepdog is a small, alert, rough-coated, longhaired working dog. He
must be sound, agile and sturdy. The outline should be so symmetrical that no part
appears out of proportion to the whole. Dogs should appear masculine; bitches
feminine.
Size, Proportion, Substance
The Shetland Sheepdog should stand between 13 and 16 inches at the shoulder. Note:
Height is determined by a line perpendicular to the ground from the top of the shoulder
blades, the dog standing naturally, with forelegs parallel to line of measurement.
Disqualifications-- Heights below or above the desired size range are to be disqualified
from the show ring.
In overall appearance, the body should appear moderately long as measured from
shoulder joint to ischium (rearmost extremity of the pelvic bone), but much of this length
is actually due to the proper angulation and breadth of the shoulder and hindquarter, as
the back itself should be comparatively short.
Head
The head should be refined and its shape, when viewed from top or side, should be a
long, blunt wedge tapering slightly from ears to nose.
Expression-- Contours and chiseling of the head, the shape, set and use of ears, the
placement, shape and color of the eyes combine to produce expression. Normally the
expression should be alert, gentle, intelligent and questioning. Toward strangers the
eyes should show watchfulness and reserve, but no fear.
Eyes medium size with dark, almond-shaped rims, set somewhat obliquely in skull.
Color must be dark, with blue or merle eyes permissible in blue merles only. Faults--
Light, round, large or too small. Prominent haws. Ears small and flexible, placed high,
carried three-fourths erect, with tips breaking forward. When in repose the ears fold
lengthwise and are thrown back into the frill. Faults-- Set too low. Hound, prick, bat,
twisted ears. Leather too thick or too thin.
Skull and Muzzle Top of skull should be flat, showing no prominence at nuchal crest (the
top of the occiput). Cheeks should be flat and should merge smoothly into a well-
rounded muzzle. Skull and muzzle should be of equal length, balance point being inner
corner of eye. In profile the top line of skull should parallel the top line of muzzle, but on a
higher plane due to the presence of a slight but definite stop. Jaws clean and powerful.
The deep, well-developed underjaw, rounded at chin, should extend to base of nostril.
Nose must be black. Lips tight. Upper and lower lips must meet and fit smoothly
together all the way around. Teeth level and evenly spaced. Scissors bite.
Faults-- Two-angled head. Too prominent stop, or no stop. Overfill below, between, or
above eyes. Prominent nuchal crest. Domed skull. Prominent cheekbones. Snipy
muzzle. Short, receding, or shallow underjaw, lacking breadth and depth. Overshot or
undershot, missing or crooked teeth. Teeth visible when mouth is closed.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck should be muscular, arched, and of sufficient length to carry the head proudly.
Faults-- Too short and thick.
Back should be level and strongly muscled. Chest should be deep, the brisket reaching
to point of elbow. The ribs should be well sprung, but flattened at their lower half to allow
free play of the foreleg and shoulder. Abdomen moderately tucked up. Faults-- Back too
long, too short, swayed or roached. Barrel ribs. Slab-side. Chest narrow and/or too
shallow. There should be a slight arch at the loins, and the croup should slope gradually
to the rear. The hipbone (pelvis) should be set at a 30-degree angle to the spine.
Faults-- Croup higher than withers. Croup too straight or too steep.
The tail should be sufficiently long so that when it is laid along the back edge of the hind
legs the last vertebra will reach the hock joint. Carriage of tail at rest is straight down or
in a slight upward curve. When the dog is alert the tail is normally lifted, but it should not
be curved forward over the back.
Faults-- Too short. Twisted at end.
Forequarters
From the withers, the shoulder blades should slope at a 45-degree angle forward and
downward to the shoulder joints. At the withers they are separated only by the vertebra,
but they must slope outward sufficiently to accommodate the desired spring of rib. The
upper arm should join the shoulder blade at as nearly as possible a right angle. Elbow
joint should be equidistant from the ground and from the withers. Forelegs straight
viewed from all angles, muscular and clean, and of strong bone. Pasterns very strong,
sinewy and flexible. Dewclaws may be removed. Faults-- Insufficient angulation
between shoulder and upper arm. Upper arm too short. Lack of outward slope of
shoulders. Loose shoulders. Turning in or out of elbows. Crooked legs. Light bone.
Feet should be oval and compact with the toes well arched and fitting tightly together.
Pads deep and tough, nails hard and strong. Faults-- Feet turning in or out. Splay feet.
Hare feet. Cat feet.
Hindquarters
The thigh should be broad and muscular. The thighbone should be set into the pelvis at
a right angle corresponding to the angle of the shoulder blade and upper arm. Stifle
bones join the thighbone and should be distinctly angled at the stifle joint. The overall
length of the stifle should at least equal the length of the thighbone, and preferably
should slightly exceed it. Hock joint should be clean-cut, angular, sinewy, with good
bone and strong ligamentation. The hock (metatarsus) should be short and straight
viewed from all angles. Dewclaws should be removed. Faults-- Narrow thighs. Cow-
hocks. Hocks turning out. Poorly defined hock joint.
Feet as in forequarters.
Coat
The coat should be double, the outer coat consisting of long, straight, harsh hair; the
undercoat short, furry, and so dense as to give the entire coat its "standoff" quality. The
hair on face, tips of ears and feet should be smooth. Mane and frill should be abundant,
and particularly impressive in males. The forelegs well feathered, the hind legs heavily
so, but smooth below the hock joint. Hair on tail profuse. Note: Excess-hair on ears,
feet, and on hocks may be trimmed for the show ring. Faults-- Coat short or flat, in
whole or in part; wavy, curly, soft or silky. Lack of undercoat. Smooth-coated specimens.
Color
Black, blue merle, and sable (ranging from golden through mahogany); marked with
varying amounts of white and/or tan. Faults-- Rustiness in a black or a blue coat.
Washed-out or degenerate colors, such as pale sable and faded blue. Self-color in the
case of blue merle, that is, without any merling or mottling and generally appearing as a
faded or dilute tri-color. Conspicuous white body spots. Specimens with more than 50
percent white shall be so severely penalized as to effectively eliminate them from
competition. Disqualification-- Brindle.
Gait
The trotting gait of the Shetland Sheepdog should denote effortless speed and
smoothness. There should be no jerkiness, nor stiff, stilted, up-and-down movement.
The drive should be from the rear, true and straight, dependent upon correct angulation,
musculation, and ligamentation of the entire hindquarter, thus allowing the dog to reach
well under his body with his hind foot and propel himself forward. Reach of stride of the
foreleg is dependent upon correct angulation, musculation and ligamentation of the
forequarters, together with correct width of chest and construction of rib cage. The foot
should be lifted only enough to clear the ground as the leg swings forward. Viewed from
the front, both forelegs and hindlegs should move forward almost perpendicular to
ground at the walk, slanting a little inward at a slow trot, until at a swift trot the feet are
brought so far inward toward center line of body that the tracks left show two parallel
lines of footprints actually touching a center line at their inner edges. There should be no
crossing of the feet nor throwing of the weight from side to side.
Faults-- Stiff, short steps, with a choppy, jerky movement. Mincing steps, with a hopping
up and down, or a balancing of weight from side to side (often erroneously admired as
a "dancing gait" but permissible in young puppies). Lifting of front feet in hackney-like
action, resulting in loss of speed and energy. Pacing gait.
Temperament
The Shetland Sheepdog is intensely loyal, affectionate, and responsive to his owner.
However, he may be reserved toward strangers but not to the point of showing fear or
cringing in the ring. Faults-- Shyness, timidity, or nervousness. Stubbornness,
snappiness, or ill temper.
Scale of Points
General Appearance
Symmetry 10
Temperament 10
Coat 5 25
Head
Skull and stop 5
Muzzle 5
Eyes, ears and expression 10 20
Body
Neck and back 5
Chest, ribs and brisket 10
Loin, croup and tail 5 20
Forequarters
Shoulder 10
Forelegs and feet 5 15
Hindquarters
Hip, thigh and stifle 10
Hocks and feet 5 15
Gait
Gait--smoothness and lack of wasted
motion when trotting 5 5
Total 100
Disqualifications
Heights below or above the desired size range, i.e., 13-16 inches.
Brindle color.
Approved May 12, 1959
Reformatted July 18, 1990
History
The Shetland Sheepdog, as its name implies, is a working Collie in miniature. There is little
doubt that the small working Collie, from which came the modern show Collie evolving on larger
lines, was likewise the progenitor of the Shetland Sheepdog evolving on smaller ones. It was
assisted in the process by the environment of the Islands, which produced diminutiveness in all
its stock, and by crosses with other breeds residing in, if not indigenous to, the Islands.
As the Islands were isolated from the trend of travel, the little dogs were a long time coming to
the ken of dog-loving folk. Thus the breed did not take its place on the show bench until well
along in the present century. The year 1909 marked the initial recognition of the Sheltie by the
English Kennel Club. Not until 1914 did the breed obtain separate classification as Shetland
Sheepdogs, and not Shetland Collies, because of pressure brought to bear by the Collie
breeders. The first Challenge Certificate was awarded to the breed in 1915, after which World
War I put a stop to all progress for the next few years.
The first Shetland Sheepdog registered by the American Kennel Club (1911) was "Lord Scott"
who was imported from Shetland by John G. Sherman, Jr. of New York. The American Shetland
Sheepdog Association, parent club of the breed, was organized at the Westminster Kennel Club
show in 1929, and held its first specialty show in 1933.
The breed characteristics common to all Shelties can be used for two purposes pertaining to
their working propensities or their companionship qualities. It is their nature to obey, willingly and
naturally, with few or no lessons needed, an instinct coming no doubt from the many
generations of obediently trained dogs behind them. This responsiveness has helped to make
them one of the most successful of all breeds in Obedience trial competition. The instinct to
guard property or places and to give watchdog warning makes them invaluable for work as farm
helpers or home protectors, a heritage of the constant vigilance required to protect the crofters'
cottages, flocks, and herds from invaders of all kinds. Their ability to run swiftly and gracefully,
and jump with agility over obstacles, makes them a delight in fields and woods as well as in farm
work. But what most endears them to everybody is their devoted, docile natures and their keen
and all but human intelligence and understanding.
The Shetland Sheepdog, as its name implies, is a working Collie in miniature. There is little
doubt that the small working Collie, from which came the modern show Collie evolving on larger
lines, was likewise the progenitor of the Shetland Sheepdog evolving on smaller ones. It was
assisted in the process by the environment of the Islands, which produced diminutiveness in all
its stock, and by crosses with other breeds residing in, if not indigenous to, the Islands.
As the Islands were isolated from the trend of travel, the little dogs were a long time coming to
the ken of dog-loving folk. Thus the breed did not take its place on the show bench until well
along in the present century. The year 1909 marked the initial recognition of the Sheltie by the
English Kennel Club. Not until 1914 did the breed obtain separate classification as Shetland
Sheepdogs, and not Shetland Collies, because of pressure brought to bear by the Collie
breeders. The first Challenge Certificate was awarded to the breed in 1915, after which World
War I put a stop to all progress for the next few years.
The first Shetland Sheepdog registered by the American Kennel Club (1911) was "Lord Scott"
who was imported from Shetland by John G. Sherman, Jr. of New York. The American Shetland
Sheepdog Association, parent club of the breed, was organized at the Westminster Kennel Club
show in 1929, and held its first specialty show in 1933.
The breed characteristics common to all Shelties can be used for two purposes pertaining to
their working propensities or their companionship qualities. It is their nature to obey, willingly and
naturally, with few or no lessons needed, an instinct coming no doubt from the many
generations of obediently trained dogs behind them. This responsiveness has helped to make
them one of the most successful of all breeds in Obedience trial competition. The instinct to
guard property or places and to give watchdog warning makes them invaluable for work as farm
helpers or home protectors, a heritage of the constant vigilance required to protect the crofters'
cottages, flocks, and herds from invaders of all kinds. Their ability to run swiftly and gracefully,
and jump with agility over obstacles, makes them a delight in fields and woods as well as in farm
work. But what most endears them to everybody is their devoted, docile natures and their keen
and all but human intelligence and understanding.