Shetland animal breeds

Shetland ponies grazing near Papil, West Burra, Shetland Islands

Shetland sheep dog

Shetland has long had its own distinct animal breeds because of the area being made up of remote islands. Below is a list of Shetland's domesticated animals.

Shetland Pony

The Shetland pony is a very small, robust breed of pony. Shetlands range in size from a minimum height of approximately 28 (7 hands, 71 cm) to an official maximum height of 42 inches (10.2 hands, 107 cm) at the withers. (11.2 hands, 46 in, 120 cm for American Shetlands) Shetland ponies have heavy coats, short legs and are considered quite intelligent. They are a very strong breed of pony, used for riding, driving, and pack purposes.^[1][2]

Shetland Sheepdog

The original Shetland Sheepdog was of Spitz type, similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog and other Scandinavian dogs. However, in the course of development in England as a pet breed, it was heavily crossed with other dogs including the Rough Collie and the Pomeranian, and the modern Shetland or "Sheltie" now resembles a miniature Rough Collie. The original type of working Shetland Sheepdog does not survive. Modern Shetland Sheepdogs are used primarily as pets, but excel at canine sports such as agility and obedience. Most retain some herding instinct, to varying degrees.

Cattle

The cattle kept on Shetland developed as a very hardy small breed, used for both dairy and beef. Modern Shetland cattle are usually pied black and white, although other colours were common in the past and sometimes still occur. These cattle are similar in type to other European traditional cattle breeds, and are sometimes used for conservation grazing (the management of natural habitats using grazing animals).^[3]

Sheep

Shetland ewes

Sheep have been kept on the Shetland Isles for at least a thousand years. They are one of the Northern European short-tailed sheep group of breeds, and were regarded as a local type of the extinct Scottish Dunface, which was found throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland (and which was also the ancestor of the Hebridean and North Ronaldsay sheep). Shetlands are classed as a landrace or "unimproved" breed.

Although Shetlands are small and slow-growing compared to commercial breeds, they are hardy, thrifty, easy lambers, adaptable and long-lived. The Shetland breed has survived for centuries in difficult conditions and on a poor diet^[4][5] so they thrive in better conditions. Shetlands retain many of their primitive survival instincts so they are easier to care for than many modern breeds.

Pig

Shetland was the last surviving locality for a type of domestic pig, known as the grice. Small in size, yet ferocious, this domesticated breed of pig fell out of favour with crofters during the late 19th century and became extinct in about 1930. It was previously more widely distributed, being found throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and in Ireland.^[6]

Goose

The Shetland Goose is a small, hardy breed of domestic goose originating in the islands. It is sexually dimorphic, with ganders being entirely white and females white with grey patches. They tend to mate for life and are extremely good foragers. A small number have been exported to North America, but are not yet recognised by the American Poultry Association.^[7]

Shetland duck, a week-old duckling

Duck

The Shetland duck is a small, hardy breed of domestic duck originating in the islands. It is similar to Pomeranian duck or Swedish Blue duck. It is black with a white bib. Shetland drakes have sky blue bills and Shetland duck females have slate blue bills. The average weight of the Shetland duck is 2 kg for males and 1,8 kg for females.^[8] It is critically endangered.^[9]

See also

• List of domesticated Scottish breeds

References