Shetland sheepdog

American

noun

one of a breed of small sheepdogs resembling a miniature collie, raised originally in the Shetland Islands.

Shetland sheepdog British

noun

Also called: sheltie. a small dog similar in appearance to a rough collie

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Shetland sheepdog

First recorded in 1930–35

Compare meaning

How does shetland-sheepdog compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Shetland sheepdog vs. collie

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Today, he lives on Capitol Hill with his Shetland sheepdog, Lucky.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 26, 2020

So far, it will be the golden retriever vs. the Shetland sheepdog vs. the standard poodle vs. the Havanese vs. the whippet.

From New York Times • Feb. 11, 2020

Seven finalists, including a Havanese, a standard poodle, a Shetland sheepdog and a whippet, will vie for the top prize of “Best in Show” in Tuesday’s grand finale.

From Reuters • Feb. 11, 2020

Coach, a 7-year-old male Shetland sheepdog owned by Guylaine Doyon of South Windsor, is competing for the fifth time in the Masters Agility Championship at Westminster.

From Washington Times • Feb. 11, 2019

Lying on the floor at Carine’s feet is Buckley, the Shetland sheepdog Chris had been so attached to.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023