Shetland Sheepdog Puppies for Sale in New Hampshire, NH

Shetland Sheepdog Characteristics

The Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, is an intelligent, quick, and obedient herding dog from Scotland's remote Shetland Islands. Modern-day "Shelties" are loving, devoted companions for whole families and superstars in dog sports like agility and obedience. With proper training and early socialization, the Sheltie can mesh well with adults, children, and other animals with ease.

Shelties are often mistaken for their larger cousin, the Collie. The two share a similar cone-shaped face and fluffy rough coat, but standing between 13-16 inches at the shoulder, the Shetland Sheepdog is a bit shorter than the Collie. Eager to be trained and directed, the Sheltie is a top-notch competitor and loves to have a job, whether that's competing in an agility course or herding sheep.

The dense undercoat makes these dogs heavy shedders, and we don’t recommend them for people with sensitive allergies. Sheltie families should plan for regular grooming and frequent brushing to keep stray hair to a minimum.  These dogs come in a variety of striking coats, including blue merle and sable.  Shelties are relatively calm in smaller homes and can handle apartment living if they're provided frequent walks. Otherwise, they live their best lives with a fenced-in yard where they can run around. 

This breed is notoriously smart. A combination of their athletic ability, intelligence, and willingness to please makes them a top contender within performance events in their size group. This collection of attributes can make them successful athletes or successful escape artists, depending on how their energy is used. Ensuring these dogs have a job and purpose will help funnel their energy properly and ensure you don't have to chase them down at the dog park.