The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as Shetlandsheepdog or Shelti, is a breed of herding dog. It is also called the Shetland Collie, as it resembles a small Rough Collie. The breed originated in Scotland and has a history of over one hundred years. In the early days, the Shetland Sheepdog was highly regarded as an excellent herding dog due to its strong endurance, robust physical strength, good eyesight, intelligence, and loyalty to its owner. It was widely popular and highly praised. Even today, it remains one of the most popular breeds in Japan. It is mainly found in the United Kingdom and North America. Some believe that its ancestor is the King Charles Spaniel, while others think it is a crossbreed of the Scottish Collie and the Spitz, the companion of Nordic fishermen.
The Shetland Sheepdog has a gentle and sociable nature, enjoying contact with humans. It possesses a calm and intellectual temperament, although its specific personality may vary depending on the individuals it interacts with. Shelties are intelligent, quick learners, easily trainable, highly alert, and cautious of strangers. They can serve as guard dogs and enjoy the company of their owners. They are very affectionate towards their owners and are considered to be sensitive animals.
The ancestor of the Shetland Sheepdog is the Scottish Shepherd dog. It was not until 1914 that the breed was given a separate classification and named the Shetland Sheepdog. For a long time, the Shetland Sheepdog was responsible for herding and guarding sheep on the Shetland Islands in Scotland, fulfilling its excellent shepherd dog duties. However, due to natural changes and genetics, the animals on the island were small in size, so the dog was also small in size.
In the late 19th century, the Shetland Sheepdog was introduced to England. In 1908 and 1909, Shetland and Scotland respectively established Shetland Sheepdog clubs. In 1911, the first deep sable-colored Shetland Sheepdog from the Shetland Islands in Scotland was registered with the AKC (American Kennel Club) and was named "Lord Scott". Its owner was John G. Sherman, Jr. from New York. In the same year, the Shetland Sheepdog was introduced to the United States. Due to changes in living environment, the Shetland Sheepdog's new home became ranches and farms, and its popularity increased as it was introduced to the United States. It can be found in any corner of the United States. Its excellent working ability and gentle temperament have earned it a high status in the dog world. In 1915, the Shetland Sheepdog obtained its first challenging certificate, and in 1933, the first specialized exhibition for Shetland Sheepdogs was held. Today, it is still very popular and many families around the world raise this breed.
The Shetland Sheepdog is suitable for modern family breeding, does not require a lot of exercise, does not have a large appetite, is friendly to humans, can get along well with other small animals in the house, and is easy to train. It has a high level of alertness and is very wary of strangers. Raising a Shetland Sheepdog requires understanding some of the dog's habits in advance, and the breeding should be responsible for the dog, not abandoned at will. In addition, financially independent individuals with conditions are more suitable for feeding.
1. Heart Disease
Heart disease in dogs is often associated with obesity and old age. When a dog has heart disease, they may show symptoms such as fatigue and difficulty breathing. Heart disease in dogs is difficult to detect, and often by the time the owner notices, the dog is already seriously ill.
2. Infectious Diseases
Canine distemper and parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner are prone to these two diseases. Once infected, dogs may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, decreased appetite, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney Disease
When it comes to common illnesses and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be overlooked. The scary thing about kidney disease in dogs is that it often goes unnoticed, and when the owner realizes it, the dog's kidney cells are already more than 75% damaged. When a dog's kidneys have problems, symptoms generally include bloody urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites that infect dogs. When a dog is infected with intestinal parasites, the main symptoms include weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea with visible worms, and pale gums. Heartworms are parasites that reside in a dog's heart. After infection, dogs may exhibit symptoms such as decreased energy, coughing, anemia, wheezing, and abdominal fluid accumulation.
5. Canine Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It commonly occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper, viral infections, lung damage, and heartworm infections. Coughing, nasal discharge, and fever are the main symptoms of pneumonia in dogs.
⒈Because the Shetland Sheepdog has long fur, it needs to be brushed every day to reduce shedding in the home. Additionally, it needs regular trimming of the fur on the paw pads and regular nail clipping.
⒉The health of the dog depends on sufficient exercise, so it should be taken for daily activities. It is important to use a leash to prevent accidents.
⒊Regular cleaning of the ears is necessary. Clean the ears with a clean cotton swab. If not cleaned properly, bacteria can easily grow in the dog's ears and cause diseases such as otitis media and ear mites. If the dog is unfortunately ill, it should be taken to the vet in a timely manner.
4. To prevent the Shetland Sheepdog from being picky eaters, it is necessary to change the flavor of the dog food frequently. The food should be nutritionally balanced and kept fresh. The food from the previous meal should not be left for the next meal, as it can breed bacteria. In severe cases, it can lead to dog gastroenteritis.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it should not be done too frequently. The frequency of bathing should depend on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, it can be bathed one or two more times, while in winter, it can be reduced by one or two times. However, the total should not exceed five times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn. If you want their fur to grow well, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use specialized brushes to help the dog remove natural shed hair and prevent tangling. You can brush once in the morning and once in the evening, each time for about five minutes.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the dog's fur growth. Besides making the fur shine, sunbathing can also help kill bacteria. While the dog is sunbathing, the owner can let it exercise a bit, which can improve its physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving it of nutrition, so deworming is essential. It is recommended to do both internal and external deworming. Moreover, deworming medicine can cause great harm to the dog's stomach and intestines, so it is advisable to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order for the dog to have shiny fur, it must establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to its daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable for the dog and provides sufficient nutrition to meet its needs. On the other hand, you can feed the dog with lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil in appropriate amounts.
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