Shetland Sheepdog

• Bathing: Shelties love to be outside, and that means they might get dirty. Give your dog a bath every four to eight weeks with a dog-friendly shampoo.  
• Brushing: Use a pin brush at least a few times a week to keep their double coat shiny and their fur from matting. They’ll need daily brushing during shedding season (in the spring and fall) when they blow their coat.  
  • Pro tip: You might be tempted to trim or shave your Sheltie’s coat in the summer, but don’t do this! Their double coat actually works to keep them cool in hot weather. 
• Ear care: Check their ears every day for signs of an ear infection. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears if they’re prone to irritation or infections.  
• Dental care: Every dog needs their teeth brushed every day, and Shelties are no exception. Use a dog-safe toothpaste and toothbrush to get the job done. It’s a good idea to start when your Sheltie puppy is young, so they get used to the routine.  
• Nail care: Trim your Sheltie’s nails once a month. If you can hear the nails clacking on hard surfaces when they walk, it’s time.  

Because Shelties are one of the smartest dog breeds, training can be a breeze.  

Start obedience training as soon as you bring your Shetland Sheepdog puppy home. They’ll quickly pick up cues like sit, stay, and come, and then you can move on to teaching them fun tricks.  

Like all star pupils, Shelties want to be rewarded for a job well done. Use positive reinforcement (like dog treats and favorite toys) when they do a good job. These pups are born problem solvers, so make sure they don’t get bored by teaching them new cues or switching up your training routine. 

Socializing your Sheltie puppy is important, too. This early exposure will help them grow into confident and polite adults, no matter what situation they’re in. 

Shetland Sheepdogs typically do well on a high-quality commercial dog food. Choose a diet that’s AAFCO-compliant for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).  

Your veterinarian can help you nail down a feeding chart to guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog, based on their health, age, and diet.  

It’s important to keep your Sheltie at a healthy weight; obesity in dogs can lead to or worsen many different health problems. Treats should never make up more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.  

To keep these four-legged Einsteins entertained, use interactive food toys to help engage their brains as they eat. 

Shetland Sheepdogs are active dogs. They don’t need to be on-the-go all the time, but they do need outlets multiple times a day to get all their energy out. Every pup is different, but Shelties typically need about an hour of exercise and play every day. 

They’ll love running around in a fenced backyard and joining you on daily jogs and walks. Shelties will also enjoy fun sports like agility training or Treibball, which can help them tap into their herding instincts.  

Try a good game of hide-and-seek with their treats or toys, too, for mental enrichment.   

A Shetland Sheepdog will love running in the countryside, playing in a suburban backyard, or jaunting off to the city dog park. They do tend to bark a lot, so keep this in mind if you live in tight city quarters. You can always work with a certified trainer or behaviorist to help curb this behavior, too. 

These pups are very friendly, but it may take them a while to warm up around strangers. But Sheltie dogs are adaptable, and they adore their family—however big it is—and are happy to relax at home after a good play session.   

These kind pups will likely tolerate other dogs well, and they’ll probably even coexist peacefully with cats. Kids, too, will be welcomed by these dogs. Just make sure your Sheltie doesn’t try to herd members of the family!