carried as an extension of the backline, not elevated above the back. Sheltie coats should be waterproof and double. They should have a harsh outer- coat and a soft undercoat. The coat should not be soft, curly or wavy. Quality of coat is more important that quantity. Sheltie colors are not difficult except that we have some breeders who ignore the standard and show dogs that have too much white. The wording on white came about because when the standard was revised, AKC did not want the club to add both a DQ for height and a DQ for predom- inantly white. The wording in the standard reflects the club’s desire to eliminate more than 50% from competition. The colors are Black, blue merle and Sable. The problem is that merle is a dilution factor and when breeders ignore that, they can come up with what is called a sable merle. Sable merle is NOT a listed color for the breed. Sheltie temperament is that of an intensely loyal, intelligent, responsive dog that is reserved toward strangers but will- ing, ready and able to do what his owner wants to do. Sheltie gait is light footed, sure, ground covering, smooth and balanced. The dog carries its head forward as it goes. It never looks like work when everything is correct. Note this is a full dentition breed. Look at the whole mouth including premolars. Some Shelties these days are very short of teeth. As a judge, here are some insider com- ments. Some handlers have gone over the cliff with grooming. The Sheltie is sup- posed to be a beautiful, essentially natural breed. Catherine Moore, author of the first important American book on the breed called them Fairy Collies. The dogs should be sturdy but not bulky in bone. Shelties should not have legs back brushed to look like tree trunks or the rough around the neck sculptured, teased or sprayed! The outline should be there without attempts to groom it in. Dogs with teased roughs will have an odd outline gaiting. The rough should not be combed up over the top of the ears! I will also mention foreign and domestic substances. No hair spray should be used. These are not poodles or Bichons. These are herding dogs. The dogs should not be enhanced with black and brown chalks. And then to ears—check them. Dogs with globs of powdered metal filings to get the ears to tip should be excused.
Anything brown or black should not come off on your hands. I always say subtle should have a capital B in it that is neither seen or heard or in this case felt. Now as to size, remember the breed history. Size is a constant issue. The stan- dard is 13-16 inches and outside of those limits is a DQ. 99.999% of DQs will come at the top of the standard. As a breeder, I value a really good dog in the middle of the standard. It would be nice not to always be pushing against the upper limit. Feel free to measure. There are many things listed in the stan- dard as faults. Take them all seriously. As a breeder, flatness at the zygomatic arch on the side of the head is very difficult
to get. When you get it in your ring, prize it. Sliding stops and fat backskulls are not correct type. Always remember this is a whole dog, beautiful overall and beautiful in every detail. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Charlotte McGowan is the author of The Shetland Sheepdog in America . She has judged close to 60 Sheltie specialties including the ASSA National on 5 occa- sions. Charlotte judges all sporting, work- ing, terrier, toy and herding breeds, JS and BIS. She bred shelties for 37 years and had Dandie Dinmont terriers for 24 years. She has been breeding Papillons since 1985.
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