Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Shetland Sheepdogs Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Shetland Sheepdogs Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Shetland Sheepdogs Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Shetland Sheepdogs Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Shetland Sheepdogs Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Shetland Sheepdogs Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Shetland Sheepdogs Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Shetland Sheepdogs Easy to Train?
- Do Shetland Sheepdogs Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Shetland Sheepdogs Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Shetland Sheepdogs have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Shetland Sheepdogs Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Shetland Sheepdogs Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Shetland Sheepdogs Playful? What is the Energy Level of Shetland Sheepdogs
- Conclusion on Shetland Sheepdog Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Shetland Sheepdog
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Shetland Sheepdog out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Shetland Sheepdog based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Shetland Sheepdog breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Shetland Sheepdog by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Shetland Sheepdog.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Shetland Sheepdog for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Shetland Sheepdog.
The summary table below shows the score of the Shetland Sheepdog for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Energy Level | 57.3 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 48.1 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 46.9 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 44.0 percent |
| Excitability | 41.7 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 40.8 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 38.0 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 29.0 percent |
| Prey Drive | 27.1 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 26.3 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 25.6 percent |
| Dog Directed Aggression | 20.3 percent |
| Stubbornness | 15.7 percent |
| Owner Directed Aggression | 14.8 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Shetland Sheepdog`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Shetland Sheepdog, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Shetland Sheepdog.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Shetland Sheepdogs Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Shetland Sheepdogs are a little bit aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks low for aggression towards strangers.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 83 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the temperament of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 26.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit aggressive towards strangers just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 27.0 % |
| 81 | German Wirehaired Pointer | 27.0 % |
| 82 | English Bulldog | 26.4 % |
| 83 | Shetland Sheepdog | 26.3 % |
| 84 | Papillon | 26.2 % |
| 85 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 26.0 % |
| 86 | Ibizan Hound | 25.9 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Shetland Sheepdogs Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Shetland Sheepdogs are somewhat aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks average for aggression towards its owner.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 63 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the temperament of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has an owner-directed-aggression score of 14.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat owner-aggressive just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | Pug | 15.4 % |
| 61 | Pit Bull mix | 15.2 % |
| 62 | Bichon Frise | 14.9 % |
| 63 | Shetland Sheepdog | 14.8 % |
| 64 | Kuvasz | 14.7 % |
| 65 | Border Collie | 14.4 % |
| 66 | Bullmastiff | 14.0 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Shetland Sheepdogs Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Shetland Sheepdogs are not aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks very low for aggression towards other dogs.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 111 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the temperament of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has a dog-directed aggression score of 20.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are not dog-aggressive just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 108 | Pug | 21.4 % |
| 109 | English Setter | 20.8 % |
| 110 | Irish Setter | 20.7 % |
| 111 | Shetland Sheepdog | 20.3 % |
| 112 | Lagotto Romagnolo | 20.1 % |
| 113 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 19.5 % |
| 114 | Whippet | 19.3 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Shetland Sheepdogs Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Shetland Sheepdogs are very much fearful of strangers.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks very high for fear of strangers.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 22 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the temperament of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has a stranger-directed-fear score of 44.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much stranger-fearful just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Maltese | 47.9 % |
| 20 | Ibizan Hound | 46.7 % |
| 21 | Saint Bernard | 44.7 % |
| 22 | Shetland Sheepdog | 44.0 % |
| 23 | Afghan Hound | 43.1 % |
| 24 | Pekingese | 42.7 % |
| 25 | Alaskan Husky | 42.6 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Shetland Sheepdogs Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Shetland Sheepdogs are somewhat fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks average for fear of other dogs.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 52 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the temperament of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has a dog-directed-fear score of 40.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat other-dog-fearful just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | Bulldog | 42.0 % |
| 50 | American Bulldog | 41.9 % |
| 51 | Samoyed | 41.6 % |
| 52 | Shetland Sheepdog | 40.8 % |
| 53 | American Pit Bull Terrier | 40.2 % |
| 54 | Belgian Tervuren | 40.1 % |
| 55 | Papillon | 40.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Shetland Sheepdogs Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Shetland Sheepdogs are quite a bit fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks high for non-social fear.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 28 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the temperament of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has a nonsocial-fear score of 48.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit nonsocial-fearful just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Dachshund (Miniature) | 49.0 % |
| 26 | Beagle | 48.8 % |
| 27 | American Eskimo Dog | 48.6 % |
| 28 | Shetland Sheepdog | 48.1 % |
| 29 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 48.0 % |
| 30 | Border Collie | 47.9 % |
| 31 | Old English Sheepdog | 46.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Shetland Sheepdogs Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Shetland Sheepdogs are somewhat competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks average on dog rivalry.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 65 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the temperament of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has a dog-rivalry score of 38.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat competition-driven just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | American Pit Bull Terrier | 38.3 % |
| 63 | Pit Bull | 38.3 % |
| 64 | Rottweiler | 38.2 % |
| 65 | Shetland Sheepdog | 38.0 % |
| 66 | Akita | 36.9 % |
| 67 | Shih Tzu | 36.4 % |
| 68 | Maltese | 35.4 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Shetland Sheepdogs Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Shetland Sheepdogs are very much easy to train.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks very high for trainability.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 20 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the trainability of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has a trainability score of 84.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much easy to train just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Golden Retriever | 85.8 % |
| 18 | Vizsla | 85.2 % |
| 19 | Flat-Coated Retriever | 84.6 % |
| 20 | Shetland Sheepdog | 84.3 % |
| 21 | Lagotto Romagnolo | 83.4 % |
| 22 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 82.9 % |
| 23 | Doberman Pinscher | 82.9 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the Shetland Sheepdog is and how the intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Shetland Sheepdog is.
Do Shetland Sheepdogs Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Shetland Sheepdogs are not into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks very low for small-pet-chasing.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 108 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the temperament of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has a chasing score of 27.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are not into chasing after smaller pets just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 105 | Eurasier | 28.5 % |
| 106 | Great Dane | 28.0 % |
| 107 | Basset Hound | 27.9 % |
| 108 | Shetland Sheepdog | 27.1 % |
| 109 | Saint Bernard | 27.0 % |
| 110 | Chihuahua | 26.5 % |
| 111 | Chinese Crested | 26.2 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Shetland Sheepdogs Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Shetland Sheepdogs are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks low for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 78 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the temperament of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 46.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 75 | Fox Terrier (Smooth) | 47.9 % |
| 76 | Redbone Coonhound | 47.8 % |
| 77 | Labrador Retriever | 47.2 % |
| 78 | Shetland Sheepdog | 46.9 % |
| 79 | Bulldog | 45.5 % |
| 80 | Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) | 45.4 % |
| 81 | Beagle | 44.9 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Shetland Sheepdogs have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Shetland Sheepdogs are a little bit prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 85 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the temperament of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has a separation anxiety score of 29.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 82 | Newfoundland | 29.8 % |
| 83 | Doberman Pinscher | 29.4 % |
| 84 | Shiba Inu | 29.1 % |
| 85 | Shetland Sheepdog | 29.0 % |
| 86 | Mastiff (English) | 28.6 % |
| 87 | Siberian Husky | 28.5 % |
| 88 | Border Terrier | 27.3 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Shetland Sheepdogs Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Shetland Sheepdogs are somewhat touch-sensitive.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks average for touch sensitivity.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 71 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the temperament of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has a touch-sensitivity score of 25.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat touch-sensitive just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 68 | Weimaraner | 26.3 % |
| 69 | Newfoundland | 26.0 % |
| 70 | Old English Sheepdog | 25.6 % |
| 71 | Shetland Sheepdog | 25.6 % |
| 72 | Belgian Tervuren | 25.5 % |
| 73 | Norwegian Elkhound | 24.9 % |
| 74 | Border Terrier | 24.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Shetland Sheepdogs Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Shetland Sheepdogs are a little bit hyper (excitable).
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks low for excitability.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 77 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the temperament of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has an excitability score of 41.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit excitable just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 74 | Belgian Tervuren | 42.9 % |
| 75 | Ibizan Hound | 42.2 % |
| 76 | English Bulldog | 41.9 % |
| 77 | Shetland Sheepdog | 41.7 % |
| 78 | Newfoundland | 40.6 % |
| 79 | Bouvier des Flandres | 40.6 % |
| 80 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 40.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Shetland Sheepdogs Playful? What is the Energy Level of Shetland Sheepdogs
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Shetland Sheepdogs are somewhat energetic.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks average for energy level.
The Shetland Sheepdog ranks number 62 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 110 Shetland Sheepdog owners reported on the temperament of their Shetland Sheepdog in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog has an energy-level score of 57.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat energetic just like the Shetland Sheepdog are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Yorkshire Terrier | 58.2 % |
| 60 | Poodle (Standard) | 57.9 % |
| 61 | German Wirehaired Pointer | 57.5 % |
| 62 | Shetland Sheepdog | 57.3 % |
| 63 | Labrador Retriever | 57.1 % |
| 64 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 56.8 % |
| 65 | Irish Setter | 56.6 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Shetland Sheepdog Temperament
The temperament of your Shetland Sheepdog comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Shetland Sheepdog is exposed to.
You cannot change your Shetland Sheepdog`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Shetland Sheepdog to.
Exposing your Shetland Sheepdog to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Shetland Sheepdog to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Shetland Sheepdog`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Shetland Sheepdog.
If you think the Shetland Sheepdog is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Shetland Sheepdogs cost and Shetland Sheepdog puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Shetland Sheepdog breeders in the United States and the prices of their Shetland Sheepdog puppies.