BRITISH CAVY COUNCIL

Sheltie Breed Standard

Updated 1st January 2024

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Standard of points

Points
2009
Head, Eyes & Ears 20
Head to be of good size, bold and broad, with a gently curving profile.
Muzzle to be of good width and rounded at the nostrils.
Eyes to be large, bright and bold and set with good width between.
Ears to be large and drooping, and set with good width between.
Coat Appearance 30
Mane to be unparted and full. To be swept back to join in with sweep.
Chops to be strong, even, dense and well-furnished, with no gaps.
Shoulders to have hair of appropriate length continuing evenly around Sides.
Sweep to cover the hindquarters of the cavy and be full and of even length.
Generally the sweep will be a little longer than the sides.
No breaks in coat, thin areas near the body or uneven length should be evident..
Coat Feel 30
of which Coat Texture to be soft and silky, and free flowing over all areas of the body. 15
Coat Density to be full and dense in all areas when assessed nearer the body where the undercoat supports the top coat. 15
Presentation To be clean, free of grease and unmatted, with no resistance to a comb. 10
Whilst the aim is for a straight coat, slight waviness should not be punished.
Body To have short, cobby body; thick-set, with good width across shoulders. 10
To be fit and of good substance, with plenty of firm flesh.
To have good size appropriate to age.
100

Specific requirements

The cavy must be shown without a central parting, on a board of appropriate size, and covered in natural-coloured hessian.

The hair on the face should lie pointing towards the rear of the cavy.

Guidance notes

The Sheltie is a smooth-haired, long-coated cavy. As in all Longhairs coat qualities are paramount.

The cavy should be typey, with no hint of flatness on head when viewed in profile.

Coat length should be appropriate to the age of the cavy, a guideline being circa 2.5 cm (1 inch) per month of age.

Allowance should be made that the coat will appear thinner in older, longer coated exhibits because the undercoat does not attain the same length as the top coat, which is spread over a larger area.

Shelties may be shown in any colour or mixture of colours.

Specific disqualifications

Specific faults

Wash 2: Designed by Simon Neesam for the British Cavy Council © 2020