Shetland Sheepdog, the Miniature Collie?

Love Lassie, but dont want a big dog? Meet the Shetland Sheepdog, otherwise known as the Sheltie. The Sheltie looks almost exactly like a collie in the miniature, and they share a few similar traits. However, the Sheltie is actually a completely seperate breed. Originating in  Scandinavia, they were brought to the Shetland Isles in the 1700's. The Sheltie is a herding dog, much like the collie. So, when they were brought to the U.S. they were breed with several other herding breeds, including the Border Collie, Rough Collie, Australian Shepherd, and the Old English Sheepdog.  The Shetland Sheepdog is a wonderful breed, that measures at 13 to 15 inches, the perfect size for cuddling. They are also one of the most intelligent breeds, coming in six on a list of dogs ranked by intelligence. This combined with their eagerness to please, makes them an easy pet to train. You might think that with their thick, beatiful, coats they require constant grooming, however you really only need to groom them once a week. They also have a somewhat shy personality, but that makes them great watchdogs. So, now your probably thinking, "Wow! This is the perfect dog!" But they have their flaws, mainly, they bark. Then they bark some more, and then some more. But dont let this discourage you from adopting your own mini Lassie, with a little effort they can be trained to bark only when neccesary, and even then to only bark a few times. You also have to make sure your Sheltie gets plenty of exercise, as this is an active breed. Other than that the Shetland Sheepdog makes an excellent pet!