Because I can't show my Sheltie in the American Kennel Club, here are some helpful hints, tips, and regulations on showing your Shetland Sheepdog on the AKC level. First of all, show your dog to its best advantage. Remember to have fun, and be happy with whatever place you get.

Disqualifications:

1. Heights below or above the desired size range (13 to 16 inches).

2. Brindle color.

3. Snappiness or ill temper.

Faults:

Eyes - light, round, large or too small. Prominent haws.

Ears - Set too low. Hound, prick, bat, or twisted ears. Leather too thick or too thin.

Skull/Muzzle/Nose/Lips/Bite - Two-angled head, too prominent stop, prominent nuchal chest, domed skull, prominent cheekbones. Snipy muzzle, short receding or shallow underjaw, lacking breadth and depth. Overshot, undershot, missing or crooked teeth. Teeth visible when mouth is closed.

Neck- too short and thick.

Back/Chest- back too long, too short, swayed or roached. Barrel ribs, slab side, narrow chest and or too shallow.

Hipbone - Croup higher than withers. Croup too straight, or too steep.

Tail- Too short or twisted at end.

Forequarters- Insufficient angulation between shoulder and upper arm. Upper arm too short, lack of outward slope of shoulders. Loose shoulders, turning in or out of elbows, crooked legs, and light bone.

Feet- Feet turning in or out. Splay feet, hare or cat feet.

If you would like to find out more faults or anything else about Shelties, go to the Shetland Sheepdog AKC Breed Standard web page.

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