THE MINIATURE BREEDS 309 



less desirable. Action High stepping and free. Weight Two 

 classes, one of 8 Ib. and under, the other over 8 Ib. 



The diminutive Shetland Sheepdog has many recommenda- 

 tions as a pet. Like the sturdy little Shetland pony, this dog 

 has not been made small by artificial selection. It is a Collie 

 in miniature, no larger than a Pomeranian, and it is perfectly 

 hardy, wonderfully sagacious, and decidedly beautiful. At 

 first glance the dog might easily be mistaken for a Belgian 

 Butterfly dog, for its ears are somewhat large and upstanding, 

 with a good amount of feather about them ; but upon closer 

 acquaintance the Collie shape and nature become more 

 pronounced. 



The body is long and set low, on stout, short legs, which end 

 in long-shaped, feathered feet. The tail is a substantial brush, 

 beautifully carried, and the coat is long and inclined to 

 silkiness, with a considerable neck-frill. The usual weight is 

 from six to ten pounds, the dog being of smaller size than 

 the bitch. The prettiest are all white, or white with rich 

 sable markings, but many are black and tan or all black. 

 The head is short and the face not so aquiline as that of 

 the large Collie. The eyes are well proportioned to the 

 size of the head, and have a singularly soft round brightness, 

 reminding one of the eye of a woodcock or a snipe. 



The Shetlanders use them with the sheep, and they are 

 excellent little workers, intelligent and very active, and as 

 hardy as terriers. Dog lovers in search of novelty might do 

 worse than take up this attractive and certainly genuine breed. 



