EARLY HISTORY OF THE SHETLAND SHEEPDOG
By Margaret Norman [Francehill]

Reading early stories of the origins of the Sheltie it is very easy to be carried away with the romance of the first sighted little dogs from the Shetland Isles. They were referred to as Toonie or Peerie dogs, the meaning of the words being fairy like, or so I understand. References have been made to little utility dogs of diminutive stature, measuring ten or eleven inches, about the size of a modern day Papillon. There can be no doubt that these early little guys were intelligent, and used by the Shetland crofters as a help for all duties. They were [and still are] excellent guards lacking the stature of a threatening guard dog, but excelling in an early warning system — those ears miss nothing!! They had the instincts of sheep herding, though I feel claims at their being excellent sheepdogs as somewhat exaggerated, but even today they show keen interest in learning all aspects of pleasing master. They certainly were hardy and energetic, rock climbing to root out stray sheep would have been a doddle!! One assumes that these little dogs must have been indigenous to the Islands, but no one can deny that visiting ships with dogs aboard must have had a great influence. Early breeders experienced many trials and tribulations - diversity of type, mismarking and those horrid “Spitz” tails have all left their legacy on the breed. A strange feature of Shelties is the presence of a “yakki” mask, this is where sables are born with a totally black head, this then grows out to a deeply shaded face, the muzzle remaining shaded all the dog’s life. I believe this is a legacy left over from Norwegian Spitz dogs. I do not think this is seen in Collies at all. When I first started breeding Shelties, it was commonplace to have whole litters with yakki masks, though over half a century of observation in the breed, this has certainly lessened.
In the early days of the last century the breed was being recognised, and several Toonie [or Peerie] dogs found their way to the mainland as curiosities with the pioneers of the breed. The Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club was the first breed club, though got off to a rocky start! I believe the breed was known as the Shetland Collie. The English Shetland Sheepdog Club was formed in 1914 and early Shelties stuck to the original little dogs from the Islands, these being mostly black and white, tricolours and black and tan, whilst in Scotland, there were crosses between Shelties and Rough Collies, this was an open plan, not a secretive liaison, and there is no doubt that an ordinary mongrel type of Sheepdog was transformed into something of quality and elegance. Of course problems arose - size being the main one! Even today breeders are plagued by puppies that grow “too big” as a direct throw back to their Collie ancestors. After almost a hundred years we still get a diversity of type and size - but what joy when we get it right and breed that little 14½” beauty!

One of the breed puzzles is the blue merle colour—several theories are put forward, one being a roan coloured spaniel, hence the in-explainable “merle ears” when the blue merles in a litter often have those larger, thicker and more side-set ears, whilst the tricolours in the same litter can have the desired semi-erect and forward facing ears that are so enchanting.

As late as the 1940’s—50’s Shelties from Scotland were being proudly advertised as “real collies in miniature” and in fact the more glamorous Shelties came from Scotland, the Helensdales were a kennel devoted to “miniature collies” and these dogs were spectacular in their bright golden colours, often with full white collars and a feature of this and other Scottish strains were wonderful temperaments, a feature that was sadly lacking in their plainer, though arguably better constructed cousins in the South. It took many decades for the breed to blend in to the Sheltie that we know today. It is interesting to note that during the 1920’s the first exports took place to the USA. The very best Shelties were sent as foundation stock—several top Champions, a lot of the early Eltham Park sables from Mr Pierces’ kennel, also the well known Ch Helensdale Laddie, and it is a puzzle that the breed has progressed along somewhat different type. It is easy for us over here to say that the Americans have got it wrong and that we have got it right, however the sturdy, workmanlike shelties of the 1950’s—60’s have been replaced by something altogether more elegant and refined. There is no doubt the American Shelties are glamorous show dogs, it’s a pity they allow an extra inch in height—we have 14½ as our ideal, whereas the Americans have a disqualification at over 16. we like a fitting jacket on our Shelties, the coat fitting the contours of the dog—in the Sates, presentation is taken as almost paramount with a much more abundant stand -off coat. Personally I would love much more exchange of bloodlines, ideas and judges. The two Standards are not identical and anyone going across “ the pond” to judge would be well advised to study the American Standard.
Shelties reached a zenith of popularity in the 1980’s –90’s , they deserved it to the old bugbear, temperament, has improved enormously. The breed is not only a lovely little showdog, but proved very trainable in obedience, and now agility too. I fell in love with the breed when I was eight years old and have had Shelties ever since—perhaps my mother had it right when she kindly but truthfully told me I was beginning to know more and more about less and less!….

Margaret Norman……………………..