Temperament: The Shetland Sheepdog is gentle, sensitive, and dainty. This breed is intensely loyal, affectionate, and responsive to his owner. It is very lively, intelligent and trainable. The Shetland Sheepdog is one of the smartest breeds, very willing to please and obey. This breed is so smart that many fanciers consider it to have almost human intelligence. It makes an excellent, charming family dog. It makes a good watchdog. This dog is suspicious with strangers, especially with children, but will put up with a lot from children in the family. This dog needs human companionship. It is known to not allow itself to be touched by strangers and will display noisy persistent barking. It may bark a lot. Extensive socialization at an early age is a must. It is not difficult to train; it will enjoy time spent in obedience or agility classes, it likes to be kept busy. The herding instinct is still very strong in many of them; it loves to chase things. Unfortunately and often disastrously it loves to chase cars. This dog should not be allowed to run free near a road as it may decide to chase a car or something else it sees across the road, running a high risk of getting hit by a car. This active, graceful dog needs lots of exercise. Dogs should appear masculine and bitches, feminine. Some say males make better and more affectionate pets.
