While miniature Shelties share many traits with their larger counterparts, not all are created equal. Variability exists within this breed, encompassing differences in temperament, size, and physical attributes. Factors such as genetics, breeding practices, and environmental influences contribute to the unique characteristics of each miniature Sheltie. Some may inherit more pronounced herding instincts, while others may exhibit a gentler disposition. Understanding these nuances is essential for prospective owners to select a miniature Sheltie that aligns with their lifestyle and preferences.
Sable Merle Sheltie: Profile, Traits, Facts, Grooming, Care
The Black Shetland Sheepdog, known as the Sheltie, is a remarkable breed originating from Scotland’s remote and rugged Shetland Islands. This canine is renowned for its exceptional intelligence, incredible speed, and unwavering obedience, making it an ideal herding companion. Bearing a striking resemblance to its larger relative, the Collie, the Sheltie exudes an undeniable charm with its elegant and agile frame. Despite its diminutive size, the miniature Sheltie, also called the sable merle Sheltie, or Shetland Sheepdog cross, has been selectively bred to retain all the qualities of its larger counterpart while being significantly smaller in stature.
Miniature Shelties: A Compact Version of a Classic Breed
The miniature Sheltie, often referred to as the sable merle Sheltie, is a delightful variation of the standard Shetland Sheepdog. These compact canines possess an undeniable charm and are known for their intelligence, energy, and natural herding instincts. Their smaller size does not diminish their capabilities; instead, it enhances their agility and adaptability, making them well-suited for various living environments. Miniature Shelties mirror the characteristics of their larger cousins, displaying remarkable intelligence, unwavering loyalty, and a keen sense of awareness.
Physical Characteristics of the Sable Merle Sheltie
The sable merle Sheltie, a breed known for its diminutive size yet dynamic nature, typically stands between 13 and 16 inches tall at the shoulder. Despite their small stature, these canines possess an abundance of energy and remarkable agility, making them well-suited for a variety of physical tasks, particularly herding and other activities that require endurance and nimbleness.
Distinctive Coat and Physical Features
The sable merle Sheltie’s most notable feature is its striking coat, which is characterized by its length, texture, and color variations. Their coat, which is often long and flowing, is coarse and straight in texture and is accompanied by a dense undercoat that provides insulation and protection from harsh weather conditions. Available in an array of shades including black, blue merle, and sable, these coats are often adorned with distinctive white markings, further enhancing the breed’s aesthetic appeal.
Intelligence and Trainability
Shelties have earned a reputation for their exceptional intelligence, trainability, and adaptability across various canine sports and competitions. Their lustrous coat seems to mirror their sharp instincts and keen intellect, facilitating their rapid learning and making them formidable contenders in obedience, agility, and herding trials alike. Their eagerness to please coupled with their inherent intelligence renders them highly receptive to training, allowing owners to nurture their full potential in a myriad of activities.
Sensitivity and Affectionate Nature
Beyond their athletic prowess, Shelties possess a sensitive and affectionate temperament that endears them to their families. They exhibit a remarkable ability to empathize with the emotions of their human companions, often adjusting their behavior to match the mood of the household. This emotional intelligence fosters deep bonds between Shelties and their owners, creating a harmonious and nurturing environment within the home.
Watchful Guardians with Vocal Tendencies
While Shelties are affectionate companions, they also excel as watchful guardians due to their innate alertness and vocal tendencies. These canines have a propensity for vocalization, utilizing barks to express their thoughts or alert their owners to potential threats. Additionally, they tend to be reserved around strangers, embodying the qualities of an excellent watchdog. This combination of vigilance and vocalization makes Shelties reliable protectors of their home and family, ensuring their safety and security.
Resemblance to the Rough-Coated Collie
One of the most striking aspects of the sable merle Sheltie is its resemblance to its larger relative, the rough-coated Collie. From its elongated, wedge-shaped head to its petite three-quarter erect ears and deep-chested, level-backed torso, the Sheltie exudes an air of elegance and athleticism reminiscent of the Collie breed. This resemblance, albeit in a miniature form, adds to the charm and allure of the Sheltie breed, making it a favored choice among dog enthusiasts seeking a compact yet noble companion.
Sable Merle Sheltie History
Origins: The toy Sheltie, unlike many miniature breeds, did not evolve solely through selective breeding of the Rough Collie for smaller size. The original Shetland sheepdog was a Spitz-type dog, akin to the modern Icelandic Sheepdog.
Crossbreeding: Initially, the Shetland Spitz-type dog was crossed with mainland working collies brought to the islands. Upon arrival in England, further crosses occurred with the Rough Collie and other breeds, possibly including the Greenland Yakki, King Charles Spaniel, Pomeranian, and Border Collie.
Extinction of Original Type: The original Spitz-type working Sheltie is now extinct, replaced for herding purposes by the Border Collie, especially as commercial livestock farming required larger breeds.
Naming Controversy: Initially called Shetland Collies, the breed upset Rough Collie breeders. Consequently, the name was changed to Shetland Sheepdog or Sheltie.
Bi Blue Sheltie Crosses: During the early 20th century, bi blue Sheltie crosses were made to Rough Collies to preserve the desired Rough Collie type. The first AKC Sheltie champion’s dam was a purebred Rough Collie.
Recognition: In 1909, the English Kennel Club recognized the Sheltie, with the first registered Sheltie being a female named Badenock Rose. Lord Scott became the first bi blue Sheltie registered by the American Kennel Club in 1911.
Sable Merle Sheltie Description
Appearance: The Sable Merle Sheltie resembles a miniature Rough Collie, possessing a small, agile, and sturdy build. They have a double coat, with long, rough guard hairs atop a thick, soft undercoat.
Eye Color: Blue merle Shelties may exhibit blue eyes or one brown and one blue eye, while all others have dark-colored eyes. Their expression reflects alertness with a gentle and sometimes reserved nature.
Tail Carriage: Shelties carry their tail down low, lifting it only when alert, and never over the back.
Temperament: Intensely loyal and generally excellent with children, Shelties may be reserved with strangers but should not display shyness or timidity according to AKC standards.
Sable Merle Sheltie Coat and Colors
Coat Type: Shelties possess a double coat comprising long, rough guard hairs and a thick, soft undercoat. The guard hairs are water-repellent, while the undercoat offers insulation against extreme temperatures.
Color Variations: The English Kennel Club recognizes three primary colors: tricolor, blue merle, and sable, with varying amounts of white and/or tan markings.
Eye Color in Blue Merle: Blue merle Shelties may have blue eyes, whereas all other colors must have brown eyes.
Sable Merle Sheltie Primary Coat Colors
- Sable: Dominant over other colors, ranging from golden to mahogany. Can be pure sable, tri-factored, or bi-factored.
- Tricolor: Black, white, and tan. Dominant over bi-black and may carry the factor for bicolor.
- Bi-Black: Black and white. Recessive and carried by Shelties with two bi-black genes, regardless of their coat color.
‘Modified’ Coat Colors
Color Modification Genes: In addition to the primary coat colors, Shelties may carry color modification genes, including merling and white factoring.
Merling Effect: Merling dilutes the base color, causing black coats to display a mixture of black, white, and gray hairs, often with black patches.
- Blue Merle: A tricolor with the merling gene, featuring blue, white, and tan. May have blue eyes.
- Bi-Blue: A bi-black with the merling gene, displaying blue and white.
Sable Merle: Light or mottled sable and white, resembling a washed-out blue merle. Sable merles are shown as sables in the breed ring, with blue eyes being a major fault in AKC standards but not faulted in UKC.
White Factoring: Affects the amount of white on the dog’s coat. Dogs with white going up the stifle are often assumed to be white-factored. How AI, ChatGPT maximizes earnings of many people in minutes
- Color-Headed Whites: Result from breeding two white-factored dogs, featuring colored heads and white bodies.
Deleterious Effects of Double Merles: Breeding two merle Shelties together can result in double merles, which have a high incidence of deafness or blindness.
Brindle Shelties: While rare, there have been reports of brindle Shelties, likely resulting from a cross in the ancestry.
Unacceptable Colors: Rustiness in blue or black coats, extreme lightness, conspicuous white spots, or coats over 50% white are considered unacceptable in the show ring.
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