Today is June 1st, the day we celebrate our beloved Shetland Sheepdogs and their amazing personalities. Whether you have a sheltie of your own, or you just admire them from afar, you know how special these dogs are. They are smart, loyal, energetic, and adorable. They love to play, cuddle, and herd anything that moves. They are also very vocal and expressive, making them great companions and entertainers.
In honor of this special day, we want to share some fun facts about shelties that you may not know. Did you know that:
- Shelties are not miniature collies. They are a separate breed that originated in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. They were bred to be smaller than collies to suit the harsh environment and limited resources of the islands.
- Shelties come in many colors and patterns, not just the classic sable and white. They can also be black and white, blue merle, bi-black, bi-blue, tri-color, sable merle, and color-headed white. Some shelties even have blue eyes or one blue and one brown eye.
- Shelties are very intelligent and trainable. They rank sixth among all dog breeds in terms of working and obedience intelligence, according to psychologist Stanley Coren. They can learn many tricks and commands, and excel in dog sports like agility, obedience, rally, and herding.
- Shelties are very sensitive and affectionate. They bond strongly with their owners and family members and can be shy or wary of strangers. They need a lot of socialization and positive reinforcement to overcome their timidity. They also love to please their owners and get praised for their good behavior.
I hope you enjoyed learning more about shelties on this wonderful day. If you have a sheltie of your own, give them an extra hug and treat today. If you don't have a sheltie yet, maybe you will consider adopting one from a rescue or shelter. They are truly amazing dogs that will enrich your life with their love and joy.
Happy International Sheltie Day!