Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club

In Shetland through the ages, livestock has evolved on a diminutive scale in proportion to the landscape. Similarly the type of dogs that herded the livestock also evolved as a diminutive working dog, and this became known as the Sheltie. The Sheltie was probably a generic collie, and it was almost certainly the local shepherd's dog.

There was no breed standard, the shepherd just needed a tough, courageous, intelligent little dog. An engraving of 1840 in Lerwick shows a Sheltie in the foreground. Then in Lerwick, 1908, the 'Shetland Collie Club' was formed in an attempt to preserve the breed.

(Founded 1909)

Christmas time in 1914 the Kennel Club recognised the breed. The preferred breed name 'Shetland Collie' was refused, and the breed was named the 'Shetland Sheepdog'. Therefore the club represented by this website can be justifiably proud of being the originator of the Sheltie as a pedigree dog!

The Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie is a particularly well proportioned and handsome dog. The Sheltie is a dog of great intelligence and trainability. It still has many of the characteristics of a working sheepdog, and makes a fine guard dog, for it is loyal and affectionate to its owners, but wary of strangers.

The club requested Kennel Club recognition in 1909, but this was refused; later the same year The Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club was formed.

As the Kennel Club refused to recognise the breed, the Scottish club produced its own stud book, effectively providing a standard for the breed. Eventually at

Latest Updates / News

The Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club June Open Show

The Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club next open show will be held on Sunday the 5th of June 2022.

The judges are, Breed, Mrs Irene Green (Lolair)

Obedience Judge, Kirsty Bigood

Rally Judge, Deirdre Munro

Breed judging will take place outside, weather permitting.

Obedience and Rally will also be outside.

Online entries and schedule downloads maybe accessed from here.

*** The Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club are looking for photos of your beautiful Shelties to star in the 2023 Calendar***

Please send your photographs to Mr Norman Ritchie at Email: norman.ritchie@btinternet.com

The photographs need to be of Shetland Sheepdogs only, of a landscape format and a high resolution.

**Articles are neede for the 2022 Newsletter**

The club are looking for any interesting Sheltie related articles for inclusion in their 2022 Newsletter.

Please send to Mrs Derena Ritchie at derena.ritchie@gmail.com by the 31st og August 2022