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Shelestie -- Shetland Sheepdog X West Highland White Terrier

Shelestie

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.
Origin
 Great Britain -> U.S.A.
Translation
 Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Shelestie
A Shelestie is a designer dog that is a cross between a purebred Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, and a purebred West Highland White Terrier, or Westie. They are medium-sized, highly intelligent and easy to train. Both parent breeds are social dogs that get on well with children and other dogs, and can be taught to tolerate cats. They are energetic and playful, and need plenty of exercise to expend their energy. Common colors are black, brown, tan and cream, and they can have white markings. They can also be brindle or spotted. Shelesties have thick, double-layered, coarse coats and shed quite a lot.

History of the Shelestie
The Shelestie is a hybrid breed, a cross between a pure-bred Shetland Sheepdog and a pure-bred West Highland White Terrier.

 

        

A little of the Shetland Sheepdog

         
Nicknamed the Sheltie, the Shetland Sheepdog originates from the Shetland Islands between Scotland and Norway. Among its ancestors are the Scottish Collie and the King Charles Spaniel, which were used to herd small Shetland sheep. Today, they are used on golf courses and airports to clear the green or runway of birds. At one time, they were called Toonie, from the Norwegian word for “farm”. Some Shetland breeders crossed them with Pomeranians and Corgis to make them even smaller, which appealed to wealthy tourists who bought them as pets. Breeders then realized that the characteristics of the working dog were disappearing, so they started crossing with Collies again. These dogs were called Shetland Collie when they arrived in England, but Rough Collie breeders objected and the name was changed to Shetland Sheepdog. The first Shetland Sheepdog, named Lord Scott, was registered by the American Kennel Club in 1911.
Standard of the Shetland Sheepdog

 

        

A little of the West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier, or Westie, also originally from Scotland, was used for hunting and retrieving. It is related to other Scottish Terriers, including the Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, Scottish and Skye. It is said that the reason for the Westie's white color is due to an incident in the 19th century when Colonel Malcolm de Poltalloch shot and killed one of his wheat-colored West Highland White Terriers, mistaking it for a fox. So he started breeding white dogs to make sure there was no mistake. The breed was officially recognized by the Kennel Club of England as the West Highland White Terrier in 1906. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1909.
Standard of the West Highland White Terrier

Appearance of the Shelestie
A Shelestie is a medium-sized dog with a thick, double-layered, coarse coat that can be water repellent. The most common colors are black, brown, tan and cream, and they can have white markings. They can also be brindle or speckled. They generally weigh between 4.5 and 9 kilos and reach a height of up to 33 centimetres. More closely related to the Shetland Sheepdog, the Shelestie can resemble a miniature Collie, with a long, wedge-shaped head and narrow muzzle. Shelesties have dark, almond-shaped eyes and a black nose. They have a robust, fairly muscular body.

Temperament of the Shelestie
The Shelestie is an intelligent, affectionate dog that likes to be close to its family. It's a sensitive dog that doesn't like to be alone and can be quite wary of strangers. He'll bark to warn you of an approaching stranger, which makes him a very good watchdog. They are also very protective, but you have to teach them to stop barking, otherwise it can become a problem. But they are very friendly and playful with their family and get on well with children. Because of their intelligence, they are easy to train and respond very well to commands. They are ideal for new dog owners. Early training and socialization is always a good idea to ensure that they are confident with new people and other dogs. Positive reinforcement and lots of praise will give the best training results. These are energetic dogs who will never turn down the opportunity to go out.

Needs and activities of the Shelestie
The Shelestie is an energetic dog that loves to play. He needs regular daily exercise to expend his energy and stay fit and healthy. They love long walks and playing ball with children. They also love activities like flyball and Frisbee. Make sure your dog is on a leash when out in public, as his hunting ancestors are prone to galloping after small creatures. These dogs are not ideal for apartment-dwellers as they need to run around, but they may adapt if taken out regularly and given indoor play sessions. They're not overly sensitive to heat or cold, but it's never a good idea to exercise them in the middle of the day.

Maintenance of the Shelestie
The Shelestie tends to shed quite a lot, and requires a fair amount of grooming. Regular brushing will keep its coat looking beautiful and eliminate shedding. Both parent breeds have a double coat, as does the Shelestie. The hard outer coat and softer undercoat protect your dog from the elements and repel water. They don't need regular baths - only when absolutely necessary. Your dog will need trimming from time to time, especially around the feet, ears and eyes. Check ears for dirt and comb out tangles. Teeth should be brushed daily if possible, and nails trimmed if necessary.
Details
Written by: Francis Vandersteen
Also available: Français (France) Deutsch (Deutschland) Español (España) Nederlands (nl-NL)
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