Shetland Sheepdog Breeding Petmeetly
Herding Breed

Shetland Sheepdog BreedingFind the Perfect Match

Connect with responsible Sheltie breeders who prioritize health testing, temperament, and the unique qualities of these intelligent herding dogs

Understanding the Shetland Sheepdog

Essential characteristics to consider when breeding these intelligent herding companions

Weight Range

Male14-27 lbs
Female14-27 lbs

Height at Shoulder

Male13-16 inches
Female13-16 inches

Life Expectancy

12-14 years

With proper care

Temperament

Intelligent, Devoted

Sensitive breed

Key Traits for Breeding Excellence

Discover what makes Shetland Sheepdogs exceptional breeding companions and cherished family members

Miniature Collie Excellence

PERFECT SIZE & BEAUTY

Shelties offer all the intelligence and devotion of Rough Collies in a perfectly sized package. Their 15-25 pound frame makes them ideal for families seeking the Collie temperament without the large size.

All the Collie brilliance in apartment-friendly size
Stunning coat colors: sable, tri-color, blue merle
Luxurious double coat that's a showstopper
Perfect balance of elegance and athleticism
Adaptable to various living situations
#6

Most intelligent dog breed

Stunning beauty in a perfect package

Sensitive Soul

EMOTIONAL DEPTH

Their remarkable sensitivity creates extraordinary bonds with families. This emotional intelligence makes them incredibly intuitive companions who sense and respond to human emotions beautifully.

Emotional IQExceptional
Family bondsDeep
Training responsePositive only
IntuitionRemarkable

Vocal Communicator

ALERT GUARDIAN

Natural watchdogs with distinctive barking patterns. Their alertness makes them excellent property guardians who announce visitors enthusiastically while maintaining discerning judgment.

Alert levelHigh
Bark toneDistinctive
TrainableYes
ProtectionExcellent

Herding Intelligence Supreme

BRILLIANT MINDS

Ranking #6 in canine intelligence, Shelties learn commands in fewer than 5 repetitions and obey 95% of the time. Their herding heritage creates problem-solving abilities that amaze families daily.

Masters new commands in under 5 repetitions
Excel at agility, obedience, and herding trials
Natural problem-solvers with creative thinking
Thrive on mental stimulation and challenges
Perfect for families who enjoy training activities
Training Excellence Metrics
Intelligence Rank#6 of 138
Obedience Rate95%
Learning Speed< 5 reps
TrainabilityExceptional

Breeding preserves centuries of herding excellence

Devoted Companion

FAMILY TREASURE

Shelties form unbreakable bonds with their families. Their devotion creates shadow dogs who follow you room to room, always ready to offer comfort, play, or quiet companionship.

Family loyaltyUnwavering
Child friendlyExcellent
Separation anxietyManageable
Affection levelVery high

These exceptional traits make Shetland Sheepdogs one of the most beloved family companions

Shetland Sheepdog Breeding Guidelines

Follow these essential guidelines for responsible Sheltie breeding excellence

Optimal Breeding Age

Male Shelties2 to 8 years
Female Shelties2 to 6 years

Patience creates excellence! Waiting until 2 years ensures full maturity and comprehensive health testing. Quality breeding produces 3-4 wonderful litters of brilliant herding companions.

Health Testing Requirements

  • MDR1 Gene Test - MANDATORY (life-saving)
  • CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly) - MANDATORY
  • Eye Examination (CERF/OFA) - Annual
  • PRA Genetic Test - Recommended
  • Hip X-rays (OFA/PennHIP)

Comprehensive testing creates genetic excellence! MDR1 and CEA testing empower brilliant breeding decisions.

Breeding Frequency

Females

Once per year maximum, 3-4 litters lifetime

Recovery

Skip at least one heat cycle between litters

Shelties bless families with 4-6 precious puppies per litter! Your attentive care ensures smooth deliveries.

Temperament Excellence

Select for confident, stable temperaments
Early socialization critical (3-14 weeks)
Channel sensitivity into positive traits
Avoid overly shy or nervous lines

Your focus on temperament creates devoted, intelligent companions ready to excel!

Grooming Partnership

Daily brushing creates bonding moments
Professional grooming every 6-8 weeks
Seasonal shedding manageable with care
Share grooming joy with new families

Luxurious double coat rewards dedicated care with stunning beauty families adore!

Socialization Success

Golden window: 3-14 weeks critical
Expose to various sounds and experiences
Build confidence through positive exposure
Create well-adjusted family companions

Early experiences create confident champions ready for any adventure!

How Shetland Sheepdog Breeding
Works

From profile to puppies - your shetland sheepdog journey in 4 simple steps

Create Your Pet's Profile

Set up a detailed profile with photos, health records, and pedigree information

1

Discover Perfect Matches

Browse verified breeding partners based on breed, location, and compatibility

2

Connect & Communicate

Message owners directly to discuss breeding plans and health certifications

3

Successful Breeding

Meet safely, complete breeding agreements, and welcome healthy puppies

Why Choose Petmeetly
for Shetland Sheepdog Breeding?

Join thousands of responsible shetland sheepdog owners who trust us for quality breeding connections

Verified Profiles Only

Every breeder is verified, ensuring you connect with genuine, responsible pet owners.

Identity Verified

Location-Based Matching

Find breeding partners near you to make meetings convenient and stress-free.

Local & Global

Smart Filtering

Customize your search with detailed filters for breed, age, health status, and more.

Advanced Search

Direct Communication

Chat directly with pet owners to discuss all details before making any commitments.

Instant Messaging

Ready to Find Your Shetland Sheepdog's Perfect Match?

Join thousands of responsible shetland sheepdog owners who've found quality breeding partners on Petmeetly.

Get Started Now

Shetland Sheepdog Breeding Guidelines

Follow these essential guidelines for responsible and successful Sheltie breeding

Optimal Breeding Age

TIMING MATTERS
Male Shelties2 to 8 years
Female Shelties2 to 6 years

Patience creates excellence! Waiting until 2 years ensures full maturity and comprehensive health testing. Quality breeding produces 3-4 wonderful litters of brilliant herding companions.

Health Testing

REQUIRED TESTS
MDR1 Gene Test (MANDATORY)
CEA Genetic Test (MANDATORY)
Eye Exam (CERF/OFA)
PRA Genetic Test
Hip X-rays (OFA)

MDR1 and CEA testing empowers brilliant breeding decisions

Breeding Frequency

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

Females

Once per year maximum

Litters

3-4 lifetime maximum

Skip at least one heat cycle between litters. Shelties bless families with 4-6 precious puppies per litter!

Early Development

CRITICAL PERIOD
Golden Window3-14 weeks

Critical socialization for brilliance

Key Focus Areas:

Build confident temperament
Channel herding instincts positively
Develop brilliant intelligence

Early socialization creates devoted, intelligent Shelties ready for their families.

Genetic Excellence

DNA TESTING

MDR1 Safety Testing

~85% of Shelties are clear

Color Genetics

Smart merle breeding practices

Vision Protection

CEA and PRA testing essential

Modern genetic testing preserves the brilliant Sheltie heritage while improving health.

Special Considerations

BREED-SPECIFIC

Temperament Excellence

Select for confident stability

Color Excellence

Never breed merle to merle

Grooming Education

Share grooming joy with families

Size Standards

Maintain ideal 13-16 inch height

How Shetland Sheepdog Breeding
Works

From profile to puppies - your shetland sheepdog journey in 4 simple steps

Create Your Pet's Profile

Set up a detailed profile with photos, health records, and pedigree information

1

Discover Perfect Matches

Browse verified breeding partners based on breed, location, and compatibility

2

Connect & Communicate

Message owners directly to discuss breeding plans and health certifications

3

Successful Breeding

Meet safely, complete breeding agreements, and welcome healthy puppies

Why Choose Petmeetly
for Shetland Sheepdog Breeding?

Join thousands of responsible shetland sheepdog owners who trust us for quality breeding connections

Verified Profiles Only

Every breeder is verified, ensuring you connect with genuine, responsible pet owners.

Identity Verified

Location-Based Matching

Find breeding partners near you to make meetings convenient and stress-free.

Local & Global

Smart Filtering

Customize your search with detailed filters for breed, age, health status, and more.

Advanced Search

Direct Communication

Chat directly with pet owners to discuss all details before making any commitments.

Instant Messaging

Ready to Find Your Shetland Sheepdog's Perfect Match?

Join thousands of responsible shetland sheepdog owners who've found quality breeding partners on Petmeetly.

Get Started Now

Building Stronger Shetland Sheepdog Bloodlines
Together

Your commitment to MDR1 and CEA testing creates thriving bloodlines and ensures medication safety for every precious Sheltie

Genetic Safety Excellence

THOUGHTFULLY MANAGED

MDR1 Testing

Empowers safe medication choices! Your knowledge protects Shelties throughout their beautiful lives.

Clear Rate~85%

Vision Health Excellence

SUCCESSFULLY PROTECTED

CEA Genetic Testing

Creates clear-eyed champions

PRA Testing

Maintains brilliant sight

Annual eye exams celebrate healthy vision

Hip & Joint Excellence

BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED

Structural Health

OFA or PennHIP evaluation celebrates agility! Sound structure ensures graceful movement.

Athletic Excellence

Shelties dance through life with comfortable movement and herding prowess.

Skin & Muscle Wellness

CAREFULLY MONITORED

Family history awareness promotes healthy coats and strong bodies! Your attention creates lustrous coats.

Regular wellness monitoring
Grooming excellence
Athletic ability preserved

Your care ensures stunning beauty

Clotting Excellence

GENETICALLY PROTECTED

Von Willebrand's testing ensures surgical safety! Your comprehensive approach creates peace of mind.

Testing ImpactHigh

Ensures safe medical procedures

Total Health Excellence

GOLD STANDARD

Comprehensive testing creates brilliant bloodlines that thrive for generations.

MDR1 medication safety
CEA vision protection
Annual wellness checks
Thyroid monitoring

Your excellence shows in every puppy

MDR1 Genetic Excellence - Protecting Future Generations

LIFE-SAVING KNOWLEDGE

Your dedication to MDR1 testing creates medication safety excellence! This simple test empowers veterinarians to choose the perfect medications for each Sheltie's unique genetics. Knowledge is power!

Your genetic testing creates confident care:

~85% of Shelties test clear for MDR1
Every puppy tested provides family peace of mind
Safe medication choices throughout their lives
CEA testing protects beautiful sight
Smart breeding creates healthy champions
Your excellence honors Sheltie heritage

Health Testing Impact

MDR1 Clear Rate85%
Vision Health Success92%
Hip Health Excellence88%
Overall Breed Health90%

Your testing creates healthier generations

Ready to Find Your Shetland Sheepdog's Perfect Match?

Join our community of responsible Shetland Sheepdog breeders committed to preserving this noble breed