🧠🐶 The Ultimate Sheltie Quiz 🐶🧠

Hey hooman! 🐾 

It’s me, Biscuit — your favorite floofy know-it-all — and today I’ve cooked up something fun AND fabulous: The Ultimate Sheltie Quiz! 

Think you know your Shetland Sheepdogs? Well, grab yourself a pen, a scrap of paper (or that overdue bill you were gonna ignore anyway), and jot down TRUE or FALSE for each question below. No Googling, no phoning a friend, and absolutely no asking your Sheltie for hints—we’re sworn to secrecy.

Once you’re done, scroll down for the answer key and see how you stack up in my Fluff-tacular Scoring Chart. Ready to prove your Sheltie smarts? Let’s dive in, genius. 💁‍♀️🐶✨

True or False Questions 🐾

1. Shelties were bred to herd sheep in the Shetland Islands.

2. All Shelties are hypoallergenic.

3. Shelties rank among the top 10 dog breeds for intelligence.

4. The average Sheltie lives longer than 15 years.

5. The breed usually gets along well with cats.

6. Shelties are generally quiet dogs and rarely bark.

7. Their thick double coat protects them from harsh weather.

8. Shelties are just smaller versions of Collies.

9. Shelties excel in obedience, agility, and herding competitions.

10. Shelties are low-energy and need little exercise.

    

11. They are frequently wary of strangers and bark at them.

12. Shelties are prone to hip dysplasia and some eye issues.

13. All Shelties have blue eyes.

14. Their ears typically stand erect with tips folded forward.

15. Shelties are gentle, loyal, and great family pets.

16. They instinctively nip heels due to herding instincts.

17. Shelties have an “On/Off switch”—high energy, then chill.

18. They pick up on human emotions quickly.

19. Shelties weigh over 30 pounds on average.

20. They’re excellent watchdogs due to their alert nature.

✅ Answers & Explanations (with a dash of sass):

1. True. Shelties originated in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, bred to herd sheep in tight, rocky terrain—tiny but mighty!

2. False. I may look fluffy, but we shed a lot, so allergens are definitely our thing—sorry, sneeze-sensitive friends! 

3. True. Ranked 6th out of 138 breeds by Stanley Coren, Shelties learn new commands in fewer than five tries and obey first time 95% of the time—smart floofs!

4. False. Our lifespan is about 12–14 years—not quite 15+, but still longer than many breeds. 

5. True. Many of us lap up cat friendship with proper introductions—even if I pretend to ignore them! 

6. False. Quiet Sheltie? Not! We’re alert barkers—great watchdogs, but not ideal if you crave silence. 

7. True. That lush double coat is built for cold and rain—nature’s built-in raincoat and sweater! 

8. False. Though Collie-ish in style, we’re our own breed with Spitz ancestry—not just “mini Collies.” 

9. True. Shelties dominate in obedience, agility, flyball—you name it, we shine in competition. 

10. False. We’re energetic fellas—daily mental and physical exercise is a must (1–2 hours, please!). 

11. True. We're naturally cautious and vocal around strangers, making excellent watchdogs. 

12. True. Sadly, hip dysplasia (~4.2% risk), Collie Eye Anomaly, thyroid issues, and blood disorders like von Willebrand’s are in the mix.

13. False. Eye color varies—typically almond-shaped brown eyes, blue in merles—but not all-blue.

14. True. Yes, that signature ear look—prick up, then fold forward at the tip—is breed standard. 

15. True. We're known for being loving, loyal, and excellent family companions with proper training.

16. True. Our herding genes might make us nip at heels—hey, it's in the DNA! 

17. True. High-drive then chill? That's us—play hard, nap harder. 

18. True. Shelties are highly empathetic—emotional barometers with paws. 

19. False. We usually weigh between 15–25 lbs (6–11 kg)—not big boned. 

20. True. Barks + alertness = prime watchdog status—even if we wouldn’t physically guard the house. 

Alright smarty-paws, pencils down! 📝 Whether you aced this quiz like a show dog in the winner’s circle or flopped harder than Kevin trying to catch a squirrel on ice, I’m proud of you for showing up. Being a Sheltie expert isn’t easy—we’re mysterious, majestic, and mildly dramatic. But hey, now you know a few more things about us fabulous floofs.

Share your score with fellow dog nerds, challenge your friends, and most importantly—go give your Sheltie a treat. (Or 10. I’m not judging.)

Until next time, stay fluffy and stay fabulous.
—Biscuit, CEO of Sass & Snacks™ 🐾

P.S. Share your score and earn a virtual scratch behind the ear!

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The Dad, the Mom and all the Pups!