The Shetland sheepdog, commonly known as the
Sheltie, Originated from the Shetland Islands,
which are located in the sea between Scotland and
Norway. The ponies, cattle, sheep and other livestock
were so essential to their livelihood that the Islanders
began to breed small, agile dogs, which were called
Toonies to keep the ponies and sheep off the farm and
out of the crops. Nobody knows much about the dogs ancestry except that an earlier, larger Sheepdog of Shetland, Various British working collies, Icelandic
Yakkie and dwarf spaniels may all have contributed 
to the gene. nothing is recorded of the shelties history
until the end of the century.

The 1st breeders to bring the breed back from the
brink of extinction developed some differences. Some
wanted the characteristics of the Crofters dogs, which
were 10-11" tall, weighing 6-10 lbs, pretty, intelligent
and hardy. However, other breeders wanted to refine
them more. They wanted to strengthen what they
thought were the best traits of the Toonies by crossing
them with rough collies. The result was a litter of
puppies that were somewhat bigger which under took
the name "Shetland Collie". After several efforts to
down size the dog by crossing them with selective toy
breeds, they lost the Collie appearance and the idea
was abandoned. 

 In 1909, The Kennel Club recognized the Shetland
Collie and a year later, the 1st representive of the
breed was registered with the AKC. In 1914, several
Collie fanciers objected to the name, therefore,
renaming them the Shetland sheepdog. During World
War I a breeding ban was imposed and the Shetland
sheepdog Progress hit a set back. Once the ban was
lifted, american fanciers imported Shetland sheepdogs
and by 1929, there were enough Shetland dogs and
owners to form a club, known as the American
Shetland sheepdog Association. The 1st national
specialty for the breed was held in 1933. A breed that
had remained less known, was now on the AKC's Top
10 list by 1980. As the years have gone, they have
been a very popular breed due to size, beauty, companionship and intelligence.