While the modern Shetland Sheepdog has been primarily a show dog and companion, numerous Shelties demonstrate their herding ability when given the opportunity. 

Many Shelties have done the work of general-purpose farm dogs, tending sheep and other livestock, the tasks varying according to the needs of the farms and ranches where they lived.  From early in the 20th century comes an account of a Sheltie who -- as has been the case with many -- found a job that needed doing.  Croxton Smith, in Everyman's Book of the Dog  (1910), relates: 

         “When Shetland Collies were first talked about I sought some information from Mr. Hector Whitehead, of Kingussie,  who sent me the photograph of a dog weighing only 9 lb.  In describing their characteristics he said:  ‘They will clear a garden of hens by rounding them up and putting them into their run as scientifically as a Sheepdog would do sheep.  In fact, to see “Olafssen” slouching along at my heels reminds every one of a Collie after a hard day's work.  My hens live in a grass run, and get out into the vegetables sometimes.  When they do “Olafssen” gets to work and drives them all into the corner where the gate is, then lies down and waits for some one to come along who will open the gate.’”

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​Similar accounts of working Shelties have appeared over the years, and some Shelties continue to work as practical farm and ranch dogs (most often in North America; in Shetland itself, as in most parts of Britain, the working dogs today are generally Border Collies or dogs of Border Collie type).  As just one example, an acquaintance told me about seeing a large flock of sheep being moved through a little town in rural California.  She paused a moment to catch a glimpse of the dog which she knew would soon appear, and rather than the Border Collie or Australian Shepherd she was expecting, she saw a Sheltie moving the flock along.

In recent years an interest has developed in herding trials and similar activities aimed at preserving and evaluating the natural abilities of working breeds.  Owners of Shelties have been supportive of these developments, with many Shelties taking part.  In North America there are programs which offer herding titles such as those of the Australian Shepherd Club of America (which allows all breeds to participate), the American Herding Breed Association (open to all breeds), and the American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club (open to dogs registered with  those  registries),  as  well  as  a number  of trials held by other organizations that provide competition with prizes rather than titles.  A variety of trial courses are offered, with classes on sheep, goats, cattle, ducks, geese, and sometimes even turkeys.  Shelties, true to their heritage as an all-round farm dog, have proved adept at handling a wide range of animals.  Shelties have worked successfully in all the programs and on all the courses.  Particularly suited to them are the ranch/farm courses -- ASCA, AHBA and the CKC have such courses, and the traditional French trials are also of this type -- that involve working larger groups of animals over a task-oriented course that varies according to the location where it is being held.  These courses, with their emphasis on practical work and working in a partnership, fit well with the natural tendencies of the Sheltie. 

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Herding instinct is largely inherited; it must be there to be shaped, although the dog’s experiences can have a great impact.  Shelties can be impressionable dogs, with early experiences having a long-lasting effect.  Some, if only first introduced to stock at several years of age, may show bits and pieces of herding behaviors but not see the livestock as something "herdable."  Thus, the dog that is said to "herd the cat at home" may not end up working sheep (and cat-herding trials are not a viable proposition!).  It is not uncommon for an older Sheltie to require a few experiences with stock for the instinct to surface.  Other Shelties, however, will start right in at any age.  In addition to the natural desire to work with and control livestock, the herding dog also needs to have a willingness to work with their human partner.  A stable, confident temperament and sound body are important. 

There are Shelties that are full of self-confidence and will readily face up to a stubborn animal, others that will hesitate if a sheep balks or stamps at them, and many gradations in between.  The less-confident dogs will need support in learning how to deal with obstreperous animals, while the strong, pushy dog will need guidance in learning to apply the appropriate amount of pressure as needed. 

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In early training, it is important to know the dog's natural tendencies and to take them into consideration in training, while working on overall development and improvement.  At higher levels, the dog should be able to do what is required by the situation.  Many of the training techniques being used today have been used in a more widespread, systematic manner only in fairly recent times.  In earlier times (and often still today) the training usually was of a somewhat haphazard, learn-as-one-does type.  Over time, principles of training and techniques were developed and disseminated.  Many of these techniques were first outlined by Border Collie trainers, but many of the elements are beneficial to other breeds in producing a well-rounded, well-trained herding dog.  Adjustments will be made, however; stages of training may be different, particular emphases may be altered.  

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As with any breed, Shelties are very much individuals, and the way to approach training may vary from dog to dog and may also vary according to what is needed in the particular situation.  In my own case, in general I will first work on gathering or fetching (the dog bringing the sheep toward the handler) with the goal of developing balance and the ability to cover and control the stock.  It will depend on the individual dog at what point some particular aspect of training is introduced or practiced.

In the case of a dog which has a strong gathering tendency, one is working with the dog's instinct and establishing control before the dog is asked to do work on command that is contrary to its natural inclinations; and in the case of the dog with less of a gathering tendency, it is important to encourage and preserve the gathering ability before going on to driving (moving the sheep away from the handler).  If the gathering ability is not developed and the dog is encouraged instead to do a great deal of driving at the very beginning, it may lead to a deficiency in the ability to collect and control the stock and the dog may end up only pushing the animals with little influence on their direction of travel.  On the other hand, with dogs that do have a strong tendency to gather, I may start training to drive sooner, because waiting longer may make it more difficult to teach driving.  

As a general pattern for a training session, I like to start with something easy and familiar (basic fetching and balancing, perhaps), then work on something more difficult or challenging, then end with something easy again.    The overall session shouldn't be too long, again depending on the dog, with several shorter sessions generally being better than one very long one.  Along with sessions that are more particularly training sessions, I like to do practical work as much as possible.  Shelties appreciate having a job to do, as opposed to repetitive drilling.

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The naturally talented, self-confident, focused and willing dog should be sought out at every opportunity, greatly appreciated, and encouraged in breeding.  But all dogs of course have greater and lesser talents, with areas of strength and areas needing improvement.  In some cases a dog may fit only in a limited situation, in others it may have broader abilities.  In any case, the focus and goal should always be on quality work and consideration for the animals. 

The above can barely scratch the surface of the complexities involved.  It is fascinating to see the development of a dog's skills as it gains experience.  One characteristic I have seen in many Shelties and that I have appreciated in my own dogs is a sense of perspective.  When there is a job to do, they are very eager to do it and will work hard and long.  But when work time is over, they are perfectly happy to take it easy.  Above all, Shelties want to be with you and work with you.

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From the Jan-Feb-March 2012 AWSS Newsletter