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What Health Problems Do Shelties Have That Determine Their Lifespan?

Shelties or Shetland Sheepdogs are such a praiseworthy dog breed. Much like every other breed out there because, let’s face it, all dogs are adorable, lovable creatures. And that’s precisely why we care for them so much.

But Shelties, in particular, are very smart, playful, affectionate, loyal, and highly energetic too. After all, herding dogs are like that.

To be honest, if your pet dog, no matter the breed, is active as a result of you making sure that he/she receives his daily dose of both mental and physical stimulation (along with loads of love and attention), then any dog can be ALL of those things Shelties are.

So back to Shelties, and speaking of caring for dogs, what health problems do Shelties have? That way, you can be prepared for looking after them by ensuring frequent vet visits and health check-ups.

Now before we get into the main topic of discussion, let’s get to know a little more about this beautiful dog breed.

Shetland Sheepdogs or ‘Shelties’ – Physical Characteristics

Gentle, curious, and intelligent – the best way to describe the Shetland. They may look like Rough Collies because of their miniature size, but there are a few differences between them. The Sheepdog is agile with a small-sized, long body that’s proportionate to his/her height.

Since they’re herding dogs, their gait imparts a good amount of endurance, speed, and agility.

What about Shelties’ coat? You’re dealing with a double-coated breed here. Their fur consists of a long, rough, straight outer coat (moisture and rain repellent) while the undercoat is short, soft, and dense (for keeping the dog comfy in warm and cold climates).

Moving on to the frill, mane, and tail, these have a lot of hair. In fact, male Shelties have a mane that grows to quite an impressive size. And the color of Shetland Sheepdog fur is either blue merle or sable. The former includes black, gray, and white while the latter is a combination of light and dark brown with a little bit of white.

And lastly, what’s their size? As short as 12” or as tall as 16” – both ways, Shelties are small dogs.

Shetland Sheepdogs or ‘Shelties’ – Personality

Human company is thoroughly enjoyed and cherished by Shelties, which you can feel yourself when they reward or repay you with affection and loyalty. The breed, even though playful, is very gentle, well-behaved, and amiable when trained properly. And this is just what you want to hear when you have children at home.

Although Shelties that have grown old might not be comfortable around and with children if they’re not grown up in an environment like that. So, in such scenarios, keep active kids away from senior Shelties to prevent any unintentional or unexpected defensive behavior on the part of the dog.

But, more often than not, this particular dog breed is very reserved and timid, mainly toward strangers. They only speak when spoken to or when it’s absolutely necessary. So no unnecessary or excessive barking. Although Shelties’ barking seems to make the breed excellent watchdogs.

Overall, they’re incredibly bright and sensitive with the nature to please, which is exactly what makes them obedient and quick learners. So you can expect Shelties to protect your family and remain loyal to you.

Shetland Sheepdogs or ‘Shelties’ – Health Problems

Here are some common medical issues that Shelties or the Shetland Sheepdog breed is more prone to developing…

• Elbow/Hip Dysplasia

When hip joints form improperly, arthritis becomes unavoidable. And this can even apply to elbows in Shelties, which shows itself in the form of limping in the front legs or difficulty in getting up.

• Obesity

Dog obesity is a huge problem indeed. And the worst part is that obesity often leads causing other problems. Such as heart disease, arthritis, etc. So it’s very, very important to know how much to feed your dog.

• Collie Eye Anomaly

This particular medical condition is primarily caused due to genetic factors associated with abnormal eye development. Eye screening tests are the best way to check if your Sheltie pup has or is likely to get the disease.

• Cataract

An extremely common problem, especially among older dogs and cats. Keep a check on your pet’s lenses – if they’re becoming more and more opaque (cloudy in appearance rather than clear), the dog may lose his/her vision.

• Bleeding Disorders

Hemophilia, a bleeding disorder, is also another medical condition Shelties are more susceptible to developing. And, needless to say, it’s best to follow the guidance and instructions of a vet in order to diagnose and treat the condition.

• Dental Disease

Did you know that 80-percent of dogs, irrespective of their breed, are likely to develop a chronic dental problem? Shetland Sheepdogs even more so, quite unfortunately.

The disease involves the build-up of tartar on your dog’s teeth, which leads to infections in the roots and gums if not treated properly or quickly. Worst-case scenarios include your pet losing all his/her teeth. Along with increased chances of damage in the joints, heart, liver, and kidneys.

Dental diseases shorten the lifespan of dogs by 1-3 years. So all the more reason to keep those teeth clean!

• Dry Eye

When tear glands don’t produce adequate tears for keeping the eyes moist, inevitable infections and sores start to form (called KCS or keratoconjunctivitis sicca).

Symptoms? Dry eye, squinting, thick discharge, pawing at the eye.

• Retained Testicle

The collapse into the scrotum of both or just one testicle of male Shelties at birth is a condition referred to as cryptorchidism. Meaning the testicle or testicles remain inside the abdomen. And this, naturally, gives rise to problems later in life.

• Thyroid

More particularly, hypothyroidism is a common health issue for Shetland Sheepdogs. The condition arises as a result of not enough production of the thyroid hormone.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs include the loss of hair, weight gain, dry coat/skin, mental and/or physical dullness, aggression, skin diseases, excessive sleeping, or other unusual behavioral changes.

Care for Your Sheltie More – Final Words

Shelties live a happier, healthier life as house pets rather than living outside enduring the fluctuating temperature settings. Their thick double coat requires brushing once every alternate day, with weekly shampoo sessions.

As for the temperament of the breed, Shetland Sheepdogs are highly energetic. This means active training in the form of daily exercise is a must. Otherwise, any dog tends to become very nervous, anxious, and agitated.

And most importantly, potential health concerns must be checked frequently. So don’t ditch regular vet visits for the sake of your pet’s health and overall well-being.