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Gordon Sheltie |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Gordon Sheltie |
| The Gordon Sheltie is a medium-sized to large dog that doesn't have much written about it in the history books, as it has only just emerged as a specific new cross-breed hybrid. These hybrids are a cross between the Gordon Setter, a large hunting dog, and a Shetland Sheepdog, which was bred to herd cattle. This interesting cross is considered an intelligent, eager-to-please, energetic dog that will thrive in an environment that constantly stimulates it mentally. This dog has incredible stamina and energy. Best suited to active households, they require fairly medium to high maintenance, as they will need to be brushed several times a week to remove loose fur, trapped dirt and prevent the coat from matting. |
History of the Gordon Sheltie |
| The Gordon Sheltie's two parent breeds have origins in 15th-century Scotland. The Dog Registry of America includes the Gordon Sheltie on its list of hybrid dogs. |
A little of the Gordon Setter |
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| The Gordon Setter is a breed known for its stamina, agility and iconic black and tan coat. In fact, they were originally called the Black and Tan Setter. Later called the Castle Gordon Setter, the breed was revered for its hunting and retrieving skills. Alexander IV, the Duke of Gordon, favored the breed and owned extensive kennels in Scotland. After his death, the kennel's heir shortened the name to Setter Gordon. The breed was first seen in North America in the early 1800s and was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1884 as a sporting dog. | ||
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| Standard of the Gordon Setter | ||
A little of the Shetland Sheepdog |
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| The Shetland Sheepdog is another unique, agile breed that was originally bred to help farmers herd livestock. Its charges included pigs, chickens, cattle and sheep. The Shetland Sheepdog was small but sturdy and did its job well. Also known as the Sheltie, it made its way to North America in the early 1900s. The Shetland Sheepdog was officially recognized as a herding breed in 1911 by the American Kennel Club. | ||
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| Standard of the Shetland Sheepdog |
Appearance of the Gordon Sheltie |
| The Gordon Sheltie is well built, medium to large in size, with a long, glossy coat. The coat is straight, dense and double-coated. The Gordon Sheltie can come in a variety of colors, both bi and tricolors, the most important color being black, beige and white. It can have a slightly broad head and face, which may not be as broad as the Gordon Setter. Its muzzle is long and slightly pointed, and the ears are either fully folded back or partially folded back. Its eyes always seem cheerful and alert and can be dark brown, light brown, light blue or, in unique cases, a hybrid may have one eye of each color. The legs are of medium to long length, while the tail tends to be muscular and long with a slight curve but very feathered with long fur. |
Temperament of the Gordon Sheltie |
| Strong-willed, loyal and loving all describe the temperament of your average Gordon Sheltie. These hybrids are active, family-oriented dogs that make excellent companions for homes with other pets and young children. They need to be socialized at a young age to set them up for success. Socialization and training are easy with these guys, as they are eager learners. When meeting strangers, these dogs bark a lot and, for the most part, will simply be cautious around new people. They are not known for being aggressive. The Gordon Sheltie can suffer from separation anxiety and boredom if left for too long, due to this trait, they are best suited to owners who will provide them with a mentally stimulating environment and won't be away from home for long hours throughout the day. |
Needs and activities of the Gordon Sheltie |
| Easy to train and very energetic, the Gordon Sheltie is a hybrid that will thrive in the household that allows them to meet their daily energy needs. These dogs are intelligent and will love activities that let them feel they're working. Obedience classes and competitions, field trials, agility training and learning new tricks and commands are all considered fun for the Gordon Sheltie. A bored Gordon Sheltie can lead to destructive behavior, anxiety and excessive barking. These dogs are best suited to the outdoors, rural lifestyles or suburban homes with large yards and plenty of room to run. |
Maintenance of the Gordon Sheltie |
| The Gordon Sheltie sheds seasonally, and its long coat can easily trap a lot of foreign matter. Owners are strongly advised to brush their hybrid once a week, if not daily, with a pin brush to remove dirt, leaves, twigs and loose fur. An active dog like this will pick up all kinds of debris when running, hunting and playing. Not only will the fur become matted, but the ears can accumulate dirt and moisture, so be sure to check and clean them often with a veterinarian-approved product. Don't neglect the teeth: to keep them white and rot-free, brush them at least three times a week. Trim fingernails as needed and check them often for tears or breaks. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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