The Shetland Sheepdog of today still carries many of the characteristics and behaviors of its early ancestors. Their origins can be traced back farther than memory to the large chain of islands off the Northern European coast known as the Shetland Islands. Along with the Shetland Pony and Shetland Sheep, the islands' harsh environment and the crofter's wish not to feed a larger dog is believed to be the cause of the Sheltie's small size. So, though the working Collie is known to be a dominant factor in their ancestry, the Sheltie has remained a much smaller version of its distant cousins. Amny other breeds contributed as well: the King Charles Spaniel, Pomeranian, and Yakki, just to name a few.

The Sheltie was not just a working partner of the crofters on the islands. He was often his only companion for long periods of time. Many times the dog was left in sole care of ther herd. The dog's ability to understand and respond to the needs of his owner gave the Sheltie its "People Dog" reputation and sense of responsibility. You will still see that natural herding instinct displayed in many Shelties when they herd the kids or the family cat.

By the late 1800's and early 1900's the small farm was becoming a thing of the past. So in an effort to save the breed, the Shetland Collie Club was founded. Additional clubs were then founded in Scotland and later in England.

Shelties were first exhibited at the Crufts dog show in England in 1908. Several years later, Collie breeders in England voiced their objections to the name Shetland Collie and the breed officially became the Shetland Sheepdog.

The Sheltie first made its way to America about 1910, but interest in the breed did not pick up until after World War 1. The American Shetland Sheepdog Club was established in 1929 and is still in existance today. The National Specialty Show is held yearly in a different part of the country and may attract upwards of 1000 of the best Shelties from across the nation and Canada.