Buying a Shetland Sheepdog Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC scheme for hip dysplasia (HD)
- abnormal formation of the hip joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC screening scheme for eye disease: full ophthalmological testing before breeding (includes checks for multiple inherited eye diseases). Litters should be screened for CEA/CH unless gene tested clear.
- the scheme checks for many inherited abnormalities that can cause progressive blindness or pai
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Distichiasis
- extra eyelashes that rub the eyeball
- Dental abnormalities
- misplaced or missing teeth
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- CEA/CH – Collie eye anomaly/Choroid hypoplasia
- congenital eye defects, may cause blindness
- DM – dermatomyositis
- inflammation of the skin or muscles
- MDR1 – Multidrug resistance gene 1
- toxic response to certain drugs
- PRA – progressive retinal atrophy
- gradual blindness
- vWD – von Willebrand’s disease
- blood clotting disorder
Other Tests
- None
Further Information
Dogs that are mostly white may be more likely to have problems with their hearing or sight.