Breed guide
Shetland Sheepdog
Miniature Collie look-alike. Smart, beautiful, sensitive. MDR1 drug sensitivity means test before medicating.
AKC Rank
#28
Size
small (15-25 lbs)
Life Expectancy
12-14 yrs
Activity
high
Feeding a Shetland Sheepdog
Small herding breed. ~500-700 kcal/day. MDR1 drug sensitivity is the critical health concern.
Key nutrients
- •omega-3
- •high-quality protein
Portion notes: Two meals daily. Watch weight — they don't need much despite their activity.
Fresh food picks for Shetland Sheepdogs
Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for small dogs.
The Farmer's Dog
Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog
- •Human-grade fresh food
- •Portioned per dog
- •Vet-developed recipes
- •50% off first box
Ollie
Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes
- •Fresh and baked recipes
- •Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
- •Custom portions
- •60% off first box
Nom Nom
Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing
- •Pre-portioned pouches
- •Vet-formulated
- •Microbiome testing available
- •50% off first order
Spot & Tango
Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice
- •Fresh or UnKibble options
- •Human-grade ingredients
- •Shelf-stable storage option
- •50% off first order
First-year cost
What a Shetland Sheepdog actually costs year one
Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).
First-year total
$2,675-$6,480
Ongoing years run $1,960-$4,820 (no gear + training one-times).
Food (year one)
Fresh food subscription
$900-$1,500
Gear (one-time)
Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys
$240-$360
Vet care
Wellness + breed-specific
$660-$1,400
Grooming
high grooming needs
$400-$1,200
Training
Puppy class + supplies
$225-$750
Supplements
Breed-matched, optional
$0-$720
Other first-year
Vaccines, neuter, DNA test
$250-$550
Pet insurance (estimate)
Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.
$592-$1,036/yr
Estimates based on US market averages for small dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.
Supplements for Shetland Sheepdogs
Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.
Cosequin (Nutramax)
The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement
- •#1 vet-recommended
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Glucosamine + chondroitin
- •Clinically studied
Zesty Paws Allergy & Immune
Seasonal allergy + immune support chews
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Seasonal allergy support
- •Salmon oil for skin
- •Chewable, dogs love them
Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.
Health concerns to watch
MDR1 gene mutation — drug sensitivity, get tested before any medications.
Gorgeous double coat blows heavily twice a year; daily brushing in shedding season.
Bright and trainable but can be noise-sensitive and reactive.
Is your Shetland Sheepdog scratching?
Shetland Sheepdogs are prone to skin and allergy issues. Take our 2-minute itch triage quiz.
Gear for Shetland Sheepdogs
Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.
Crate
for Shetland Sheepdogs
Harness
for Shetland Sheepdogs
Bed
for Shetland Sheepdogs
Collar
for Shetland Sheepdogs
Leash
for Shetland Sheepdogs
Slow feeder bowl
for Shetland Sheepdogs
Chew toy
for Shetland Sheepdogs
As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.
Training for Shetland Sheepdogs
Matched to Shetland Sheepdog temperament (bright, playful, energetic).
BAXTER & Bella
Online puppy training program, lifetime access
- •Lifetime membership
- •Self-paced video lessons
- •Puppy + adult content
- •Behavior troubleshooting
GoodPup
1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers
- •1-on-1 live video sessions
- •Certified trainers
- •Custom per-dog plan
- •Weekly structure
Dogo
App-based training with daily structure
- •App-based daily plans
- •AI-guided feedback
- •Affordable monthly cost
- •Trick training library
GPS trackers for Shetland Sheepdogs
Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.
Fi
Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking
- •Real-time GPS
- •Activity + sleep tracking
- •Escape alerts
- •3-month battery
Tractive
Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range
- •Attaches to any collar
- •Worldwide GPS coverage
- •Activity monitoring
- •Budget-friendly
Curious about their DNA?
Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.
Embark
The most comprehensive dog DNA test
- •350+ breeds identified
- •250+ health conditions screened
- •Cornell-partnered science
- •Relatives finder
Wisdom Panel
Breed identification + health screening
- •350+ breeds
- •Genetic health insights
- •Budget-friendly option
- •Fast results
Shetland Sheepdog questions, answered
How long do Shetland Sheepdogs live?▾
How big do Shetland Sheepdogs get?▾
How much exercise does a Shetland Sheepdog need?▾
What health problems do Shetland Sheepdogs commonly have?▾
Are Shetland Sheepdogs hard to groom?▾
What should I feed a Shetland Sheepdog?▾
Are Shetland Sheepdogs good for first-time owners?▾
Ask Barkly about your Shetland Sheepdog
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