Our Shelties, Holly, Marcy and Chloe

and The Mount Shasta Sheltie Roundup

Shetland Sheepdogs, or Shelties, descend from small, sturdy, northern dogs with prick ears and double, weather resistant coats. They were originally bred to herd sheep and ponies in the harsh climate of the Shetland Islands north of Scotland. In addition to herding duties they guarded the farms or toonies and were known as toony dogs. At some point, about 1870, the Shetland Island dogs were crossbred with Scotch Collies who were considerably smaller than today's Collie, but with much the same markings and coloring. Later breeders selected for the Collie look. That is why today, despite the fact that the Shetland Sheepdog is a distinct breed with a personality all its own, it is often thought of as a miniature Collie -- a little Lassie.

We have fallen in love with these sturdy, sweet-tempered, but rather reserved little beauties. We've been blessed with four of them. Our first, Bonnie, died before we moved to Mount Shasta in 1997. Holly came here with us and not long after we arrived we acquired Marcy. Sadly, Marcy contracted cancer and died in early 2003. We were supremely lucky that the Northern California Sheltie Rescue organization brought us and Chloe together in August of 2003. See links to photos below.

Tragically our dear Holly who we'd loved for nearly 10 years died of heart failure January of 2007. She cannot be replaced, but after months of missing her we decided to search for another small sheltie and Jennie located a 3-year-old that needed rescue in Utah. The foster "parents" were coming to the National Sheltie meet in Albany, Oregon so we made arrangements to meet them there and bring a tiny tricolor named Jackie O. into our lives. She weighs only 15 pounds and is 12 inches at the shoulder. A photo of Jackie is linked below.

For 3 years we hosted what has come to be called "The Mount Shasta Sheltie Roundup." It was initiated by Bruce and Sally Batchelder and has grown each year as we learn of more Sheltie fans in south Syskiyou county. Two of the photos below are scenes from the August 2004 event. One is from 2003.