Shetland Sheepdog Characteristics
Shelties look at first glance like miniature rough collies.
They hail from the Shetland Islands of Scotland, where the Shetland sheepdog was bred to herd sheep. The area’s harsh conditions favoured smaller breeds of livestock and smaller dogs to herd them.
Shetland sheepdogs are known for their gentle, sweet, pleasing personality and loyalty. They are also playful and affectionate but can be cautious around strangers.
This breed is generally good with families and friendly with other dogs as well. They get along with other pets with training.
Renowned for their intelligence, they excel at obedience training, and they are good watchdogs, never off duty.
Shelties are active, working dogs by nature, they like to be kept busy and want the company of their guardians.
Regular walks, playtime, and mental stimulation are important to keep them happy.
Shetland sheepdogs’ long feathered coat come in various colours, including sable, black, and blue merle, often with white markings.
Shetland Sheepdog Inherited Disease and Traits Testing Panels
We can offer the below tests for the Shetland Sheepdog singularly or as combos or as included in the most comprehensive Panel “DogCheck 4.0”:
- Degenerative Myelopathy DNA Testing which is a screening test for your dog to determine if it carries the genes associated with Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). Click here to read more about the Degenerative Myelopathy Test Kit.
- Hyperuricosuria DNA Test for Uric Acid is a screening test for your dog to determine if it carries the mutated gene associated with Hyperuricosuria (HUU).
- MDR1, some dogs can have sensitivity to certain drugs and others can experience more serious neurologic symptoms like excess salivation, tremors, anorexia, blindness and possibly death. The following is a list of drugs known to cause reactions: Acepromazine (tranquilizer), butorphanol (pain control), doramectin, doxorubicin, emodepside, erythromycin, ivermectin (found in heartworm medications), loperamide (anti-diarrheal agent), milbemycin, moxidectin, paclitaxel, rifampin, selamectin, vinblastine (anti-cancer agent), vincristine and vinorelbine.
- Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), also known as Choroidal Hypoplasia (CH-Choroidal Hypoplasia), which is inherited as an autosomal recessive disease. The retina gets its blood supply and nutrients from the choroid. In affected dogs, this layer of tissue under the retina does not develop properly, and is thinner than normal. Predicting the severity of an affected puppy is difficult as it can vary greatly, even between affected puppies in the same litter. Severely affected dogs may experience vision loss and retinal detachment.
You can choose the best option for you by clicking below:
For the above tests, if done singularly or as combos, we offer the results in 7-10 working days from receipt of samples to the laboratory.
If they are all included in the most comprehensive test called “DogCheck 4.0“, which also gives information about coat colour traits, the turnaround is 3-4 weeks from receipts of the samples to the laboratory. Please refer to the list below to see all the genes tested in this case.
NOTE: There is an extra cost of £45 to test the genes mentioned on the table as *xP as they are not included in the Dog Check 4.0 Report unless the extra fee has been paid at the checkout
Dog Intolerance Test
The Dog Intolerance Test checks for your dog’s sensitivity to 152 food and 48 environmental and artificial allergens.. Click here to read more about the At Home Dog Intolerance Test.
Dog Paternity Test
Our Dog DNA Paternity Test is a quick and easy way to accurately determine the parentage of your canine. Fast, accurate and conclusive results. Click here to read more about our Dog Paternity Test with mother or Dog Paternity Test without Mother.