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The following are excerpts
from the official Shetland
Sheepdog
standard as adopted by the
A.K.C.
Temperament: The
Shetland Sheepdog is intensely loyal, affectionate, and responsive to
its owner. However, they may be reserved toward strangers but not to the
point of showing fear or cringing in the ring. Faults are shyness,
timidity or nervousness, stubbornness, snappishness or ill temper.
Appearance: The
Shetland Sheepdog is a small, alert, rough coated, longhaired working
dog. They must be sound, agile and sturdy. The outline should be so
symmetrical that no part appears out of proportion to the whole.
Size: The
Shetland Sheepdog should stand between 13 and 16 inches at the shoulder.
Coat: The
coat should be double, the outer coat consisting of long, straight,
harsh hair: the undercoat short, furry, and so dense as to give the
entire coat a “standoff” quality.
The hair on the face,
tips of ears and feet should be smooth. Mane and frill should be
abundant, and particularly impressive in males. Forelegs are feathered,
the hind legs heavily so. But smooth below the hock joint. Hair on tail
profuse.
Color: Black,
Blue Merle and Sable (ranging form golden through mahogany) : marked
with varying amounts of white and/or tan.
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