Alice White
Shetland Sheepdogs are a fairly common breed. However, not everyone, and not always can recognize them, as they say, in person. Some believe that Shelties may well be short-haired. Is it so? Let’s figure it out.
Short Haired Sheltie: Defect or Breed?
Unfortunately, representatives of this breed, whose coat is not very long, remain outside the standard. A breed defect also includes dogs with curly or wavy hair. Such puppies can be born as a result of unclean crossing, genetic mutation. For the most part, they do not have any defects or diseases. But they cannot be admitted to shows and pedigree breeding.
As for the purebred Sheltie, they must meet the following parameters:
- coat – long, straight, forms a collar on the neck and pants on the hind legs, there is an undercoat;
- colors – sable, tricolor, blue merle, black and white, white with brown;
- height – males 34-40 cm, females 32-37 cm;
- bodyweight – 6-7 kg;
- ears – small, located at a short distance from each other, erect;
- tail set low, reaching to the hocks of the hind legs;
- eyes – can be brown or blue, heterochromia occurs.
To understand that you have a purebred puppy in front of you, always ask for documents. Only a responsible breeder can provide them. Shelties with short hair from competent kennel owners usually do not start.
