Shetland Sheepdogs are known for their high intelligence as well as their beautifully soft coat, so it’s no surprise that these smart and beautiful dogs have become a popular choice for cross breeders. Shetland Sheepdogs or ‘Shelties’ have plenty of positive traits such as playfulness and easy trainability, but they are also quite high maintenance and have certain health conditions that you may need to think about when adopting a cross breed.
So which Sheltie mix breed will be best for your home? This will depend largely on your lifestyle and patience – you can probably expect most Sheltie mixes to be high maintenance in terms of grooming and a need for regular mental stimulation. You could also find that some Sheltie mixes are a little too energetic and vocal for apartment living, so this is something to bear in mind if you live in a small space.
If you’re considering adopting an adorable Sheltie mix puppy but aren’t sure how compatible they may be, take a look through our quick guide below. We’ll take a look at the kind of traits you can expect from a Sheltie mix, how to decide on the best cross breed and a look at the individual characteristics and vital stats among some of the most common Sheltie mixes so you can make the right choice.
Things that Shetland Sheepdog Mixed Breeds Share
Shetland Sheepdog cross breeds tend to inherit a hint of the graceful pointed muzzle of the Sheltie parent and will sometimes acquire their fine-haired coat too, which will mean consistent grooming to keep it in top shape!
Depending on the activity levels of the second parent breed, Sheltie mixes can retain the Sheltie herding and chasing instincts, making for a very lively and playful pup.
As for their health prospects, it’s possible that Sheltie mixed breeds may inherit conditions such as Hip Dysplasia and, in some cases, poor vision.
All Shelties should be screened for genetic diseases before breeding, but poor cross-breeding of the Merle gene can result in total blindness, so make sure you are aware of these dangers before buying a Sheltie mixed breed.
Ways to Decide The Mix Best for You
Observing Sheltie mix puppies at your local shelter or rescue center will give you an indication of their size and physical traits and most dog shelters will have determined the personality of each pup too, helping you decide whether your Sheltie mix will be quiet enough for apartment living, for example! Ask yourself the following to help you decide on the best Sheltie mix:
- Am I an active person? Most mixes have high energy levels and love regular exercise
- Am I available for play? Many mixes need mental stimulation to be at their happiest
- Am I around a lot? Separation anxiety can be an issue in many mixes
- Do I have other pets and small children? Mixes can be hyper-active and misbehave in busy households without early socialization and training
- Am I prepared to train them? Inherited herding and chasing instincts, barking and separation anxiety are all things you may need to work on with certain mixes
Mixed Breeding
Shetland Sheepdog x American Eskimo = Eskland
The Eskimo and Sheltie mix is a heavy shedding dog, due to its long, thick double coat and has a lifespan of anywhere between 10 and 15 years. Much like both of its parent breeds, Esklands are lively, friendly dogs that need regular exercise and mental challenges to keep them stimulated.
They can also be wary of strangers, but socialization training can help with this! Esklands will measure 13 to 16 inches tall and weigh between 12 and 18 lbs.
Shetland Sheepdog x Australian Shepherd = Shel-Aussie
The beautiful Shel-Aussie mix can get along with all types of people and pets and are great for apartments (as long as they get their exercise needs met!). Shel-Aussie’s can live between 12 to 15 years and their straight but dense coat needs weekly attention to keep moderate shedding under control.
This graceful mix stands at around 16 to 23 inches tall at shoulder height and will weigh anywhere between 30 and 65 lbs, depending on which parent breed’s size dominates.
Shetland Sheepdog x Beagle mix = Beagle Sheltie
Beagle Shelties are one of the most sweet-tempered dogs you could ever meet, making them perfect for family homes as they love to play and don’t like to be left alone for too long. This mix will measure around 13 to 15 inches tall and weigh between 14 and 30 lbs.
With great care, Beagle Shelties can live up to 15 years and a minimum of 10. As for coat maintenance, the Beagle breed sheds enormously, so expect this mix to be a heavy shedder.
Shetland Sheepdog x Border Collie = Border Sheepdog
Border Sheepdogs are super energetic live wires with yappy tendencies and a love of people, but they only yap so much to alert you potential dangers – they just love to protect their owners! This vocal but loving mix breed is better for homes with yards to run about in and they will live between 12 and 15 years.
Border Sheepdogs are average shedders and measure between 16 to 22 inches tall and can weigh anywhere between 25 to 45 lbs.
Shetland Sheepdog x Dachshund = Shethund
Crossing the Dachshund and the Sheltie breeds results in an intelligent and protective pup that’s apartment friendly but requires socialization to get them used to children and other pets. Shethunds can measure anywhere between as little as 8 and 16 inches tall and weigh between 10 and 18 lbs.
They have a lifespan of around 12 to 15 years and will be a moderate shedder, so weekly brushing will help keep their dense, medium-length coat in check.
Shetland Sheepdog x German Shepherd = Sheltie Shepherd
Sheltie Shepherds make great family pets, due to the fact their playful genes are just as present as their working dog genes. As well as inheriting the high energy levels of intelligence of their parent breeds, Sheltie Shepherds also have a similarly luxurious coat that needs lots of TLC to control their high shedding.
This mix can live between 12 and 16 years and will measure around 24 to 27 inches tall and weigh somewhere between 55 and 65 lbs.
Shetland Sheepdog x Golden Retriever = Golden Sheltie
The lovable Golden Sheltie mix combines the ‘man’s best friend’ personality of the Retriever with the quick wits and alert nature of the Sheltie to make for the perfect companion in family homes and single owner homes alike.
Golden Shelties have a lifespan of between 11 to 15 years and will shed moderately due to their long and wavy coat. This fun-loving mix will measure around 18 to 22 inches at shoulder height and weigh somewhere between 50 and 60 lbs.
Shetland Sheepdog x Pembroke Welsh Corgi = Pembroke Sheltie
Lively and fiercely loyal, the Pembroke Sheltie will need plenty of mental stimulation to ward off boredom. Despite their feisty nature though, this mix will get on very well with other pets and kids.
Pembroke Shelties can live around 12 to 15 years and will be fairly heavy shedders due to their thick winter-proof double coat. Depending on which parent breed genes are inherited, Pembroke Shelties can measure between 10 and 16 inches tall and weigh somewhere between 11 and 30 lbs.
Shetland Sheepdog x Pomeranian = Poshies
Poshies make wonderful lap dogs who love nothing more than playing with their owner. They can make great watch dogs too, but their wariness of strangers and stubborn nature will need to be ironed out with training.
Poshies can vary in size between 7 and 16 inches tall and weigh anywhere between 5 and 25 lbs! This mix can live between 12 and 16 years and will shed moderately throughout the year, but will benefit from weekly brushing to stay in good condition.
Shetland Sheepdog x Poodle = Sheltidoodle
The sensitive and affectionate Sheltidoodle will make for the ideal family companion, but beware that some can be hyper-active, so loud, bustling households will only add to the chaos if you want a quieter life!
Sheltidoodles live around 12 to 15 years and are known to shed moderately, but could shed very little if they take over the Poodle genes. This mix tends to measure around 11 to 15 inches at shoulder height and can weigh between 40 and 50 lbs.
Shetland Sheepdog x Pug = Sheltie Pug
The varied size of the two parent breeds means Sheltie pugs can measure anywhere between 12 and 18 inches tall and weigh between 15 and 30 lbs. The Sheltie Pug mix is a mostly active and affectionate dog that loves to play, but should be supervised with small children as they aren’t the most patient mix.
Sheltie Pugs can live around 12 to 15 years and can shed excessively despite their straight, medium length coat, so take care to groom them regularly.
Shetland Sheepdog x Shiba Inu = Sheltie Inu
The combo of Sheltie and ancient hunting dog Shiba Inu makes for a very intelligent dog, but one that can either be easy or difficult to train depending on which genes take over. Apartment life won’t be suited to this mix due to high energy levels and barking tendencies, despite being an average size of 14 to 17 inches tall.
Sheltie Inus will weigh between 17 to 24 lbs and can live 12 to 14 years. They are not heavy shedders, but their coats will require daily brushing to stay tangle-free.
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