The Shetland Sheepdog is one of America’s most popular breeds and recognizable to many as a rough collie in miniature. Like the collie, they share ancestry with the Border Collie. After making the trip from Scotland to Shetland they were crossed with local breeds and eventually with the Collie, producing the sharp, lively Shetland Sheepdog we know today. They have historically served as guardians and stock dogs and retain these qualities today. They possess a high degree of intelligence and intuition and crave mental stimulation and loving attention. They are amenable to city living as long as they are exercised and entertained. Their dense, double coat requires regular attention and grooming.
Each AKC approved purebred breed has its own national club. The mission of these “parent breed clubs” is to improve and preserve a particular breed by advancing knowledge about its history, its health and care requirements and by assuring that the breed’s form and function remain true to its historical physical type and character: A Dalmatian, for instance, should be athletic and have a natural affinity for working with horses. A Fox Terrier should have the right body size and shape, and a drive to go after vermin.
Pet owners, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and others with a special love for a breed, join the parent breed club to meet like-minded enthusiasts and to support the club’s mission.
The national parent breed club is the first place for the public to go to learn about a breed or find a knowledgeable, experienced breeder.
Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
