Miniature Sheltie
The Truth about the Miniature Sheltie
The Shetland Sheepdog is naturally a small dog, yet some breeders have attempted to go even further and try to recreate the dog in miniature. Sheltie dogs that measure less than the standard set by the American Kennel Club are aberrations rather than breeds.
A breed that is expert at controlling herds of animals as well being fiercely protective of them, the sheltie is a small dynamo of agility and speed. They are classified as a member of the herding class as result, and are highly suited for farm work. Their ancestry is documented as extending back to Scotland, as descendents of the extremely hard working Border collie. The Border is of medium size; measuring up to 22 inches at the shoulder. When this breed was brought over into the Shetland Islands, they were crossed with smaller, long haired breeds. The result of this interbreeding was a much smaller version of the Border collie; still very intelligent, energetic and with amazing instincts.
As years passed, the original collie breeds were diminishing on the Shetland Islands as the small collies were bred with other small breeds; to be subsequently called Shetland collies. At that time, crosses began to be made with collie show dogs and the little crossbred herders. Because of complaints from collie breeders who felt that these cumulative dogs were a far reach from their collie breed superiority, the name of the breed was changed from Shetland collies to Shetland Sheepdogs, or shelties.
The size standard for shelties as detailed by the American Kennel Club is measuring between 13 and 16 inches at the shoulder. Although standard shelties today are a diminutive size as compared to their ancestors, the term “miniature” sheltie is really unsuitable. It would indicate that there is a sheltie breed, and then a separate sheltie breed that is even smaller. This assumption is erroneous. A sheltie standing at 13 inches is a naturally small sized dog. There will be, from time to time, pups born that will fit into a runt status in that they simply did not attain the development while in the mother’s womb that a full sized sheltie pup should. These puppies, while often perfectly normal in shape and actions, are those suffering from fault according to standard size. Shelties that reach less than 13 inches in height are not a special breed or a dog that is valued at higher cost; they are simply aberrations of nature.
It should be known that there are breeders that will attempt to market runt sheltie puppies as a specific miniature breed. The puppies they offer could be the result of simple nature, or they could be deliberate attempts by the breeder to achieve shelties of a certain size. While it can be done, it is an irresponsible action. A female dog can be impregnated multiple times up to 15 days into her cycle. Puppies conceived early in the reproductive cycle will develop within the womb through the normal gestation period of approximately 60 days, while those conceived late in the cycle have less developmental opportunity. In addition, if a large litter occurs, the gestation period is decreased further. By timing conception and birth, it is possible to intentionally create smaller puppies. These small shelties are later bred with other small shelties, or sometimes with other small breeds to perpetuate the diminutive size. While the breeder may label the unfortunate whelps that result as a “miniature sheltie” breed, they are no more than a marketing ploy to gain higher prices for what they call a “specialized” breed.
If a small dog is your breed of choice, avoid falling into the marketing trap of “miniature” breeds that are not recognized by the AKC. Instead, choose a naturally small sized dog such as the sheltie to bring a loving and energetic pet into the family home.