Loyal and willing to please, the Shetland Sheepdog is a wonderful choice for a companion. Very docile and always alert this pleasant tempered dog is very affectionate. Excellent as both a guard and a watchdog, this dog is very sensitive to voice tones and if he doesn't think you mean what you say, he won't be listening. Avoid being harsh with this dog as well or he may well ignore you.

A calm but firm owner is required for this pet. They need to be raised with a confident and consistent pack leader. They are smart, intelligent and very easy to train.

Along with their intelligence is the need to keep them busy. Their minds are always thinking up the next thing so you'll need to keep them occupied. As an intelligent herder, they are able to command large herds of cattle and even hold the sheep in check. They love to herd and their instinct is very strong in this occupation.

Their love for chasing things is unsurpassed so make sure to teach them to not chase cars. Avoid allowing them to run free especially near a road where they may be tempted to chase things across the road.

An excellent copy of the rough coated collie, this dog has a blunt wedge appearance with a muzzle that tapers from the ears to the nose. Dark almond shaped eyes will be more common than the blue merle coated blue eyes.

They tend to be suspicious of strangers and may not allow strangers to touch them. They may begin to persistently bark and tell the person to leave them be. It is important to teach them that this is not acceptable behavior especially if they begin to nip or snap.

A strong hand will be required to help this dog know his or her place in the pack. This dog tends to want to take charge and be the leader so the humans must keep him in check and let him know his place. As soon as the dog sees who is in charge they will back down and take their proper place in the pecking order.

Avoid overfeeding this fellow as they tend to gain weight. They may be sensitive to some pet medications that can be given to other pets. Many of these dogs carry the MDR1 gene that will be the culprit for this sensitivity.

As long as they get plenty of exercise they will do well in a condominium or an apartment. A daily walk or jog will help keep them in shape.

They love to get their exercise and their coat will require plenty of tender loving care. A good daily brushing will go far to help them look great. Remember to mist it slightly with some water to ensure that it stays looking great.

They will shed seasonally so beware of this and make sure to comb them out accordingly for best results. The coat easily sheds dirt and mud and they like to be clean and well bathed.