intro

In Shetland the type of working dog that herded livestock evolved to be a compact collie type, known as the 'Sheltie'. There was no breed standard, the shepherd needed just a hard wearing, intelligent little dog.

The origin of the Sheltie is a bit of a mystery! It is almost certain that working collies were imported from the mainland in the first place. Then it is likely that whalers from Greenland brought their 'Yakkie'(*) dogs with them, these are believed to be the origin of the 'smutty' muzzle that can be seen nowadays. Also various visiting 'Spitz' breeds could have been incorporated in the genetic pool, with spitz characteristics still appearing in the modern sheltie.

In Lerwick an engraving from 1840 shows a Sheltie in the foreground, then in 1908 the 'Shetland Collie Club' was formed in an attempt to preserve the breed. 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 recognition, the club produced its own stud book, effectively providing a standard for the breed.

Eventually at Christmas 1914 the Kennel Club recognised the breed. The preferred name for the breed was 'Shetland Collie' but this was refused after resistance by groups with an interest in other collie breeds. A compromise was reached and the breed was named the 'Shetland Sheepdog'.