Introduction
The Shetland Sheepdog, also referred to as the Sheltie, was originally bred in the very rocky Shetland Islands, in Scotland, UK. If you have a new Sheltie then you know they are extremely intelligent and very obedient, and become a sensible and well-behaved member of the family. All that’s left for you to do now, is name your lovable new family member; maybe you want a name that is inspired by their appearance, or perhaps only a traditional Scottish name will do. We've compiled the ultimate Sheltie name inspiration guide. Make a list and choose your favorite!
Shetland Sheepdog Dog Names in Pop Culture
Pikku is a Shetland Sheepdog owned by famous Japanese video game designer and producer, Shigeru Miyamoto. Shigeru created video games such as Super Mario and Donkey Kong. He also used his lovable Sheltie as inspiration for the game, Nintendogs. As well as creating video games, Shigeru Miyamoto is a semi-professional breeder of the Sheltie. As you can tell, he has been hit by the Sheltie bug.
The word Pikku is actually of Finnish origin, and it means little. As the Sheltie is said to be the smaller cousin of the Rough Collie, this is an ideal name for this breed. The Sheltie was in fact bred to be smaller than the Rough Collie as the Shetlands are rocky, and they needed a herding dog that could maneuver well over the rocky landscape, and squeeze into crevices easily when herding the animals. Pikku suits the canine that is outgoing, lively and loving. It also states that they have very good intuition, so this name relates well to both the Sheltie’s appearance, and also their temperament.
There are other famous Shelties in popular culture too. In the Canadian children’s TV series, Mickey’s Farm, a Sheltie plays the main character, Mickey. In the 2011 American biographical crime movie, Kill the Irishman, a Sheltie named Forrest stars as Lady, and more recently, in the Lethal Weapon TV series, Riggs’ pooch is a Sheltie named Sam.
The Sheltie is such a versatile breed with many talents and skills, and sources suggest that they are a dominating breed when it comes to agility, tracking, obedience, flyball and showmanship, which means that this breed makes a champion show dog. A Sheltie registered as Ch Halstor’s Peter Pumpkin ROM, often referred to as Peter, was acquired by Tom Coen in 1965. This star had an impressive show career, winning ASSA Specialty Best of Breed in both 1968 and 1974 along with many other shows and awards including 105 Best of Breed awards. He also sired many other award-winning show dogs and at final count, it is said he produced 160 champions. It is felt that Peter had an overwhelming impact on the breeding of the Sheltie. At one point, it was suggested that over 50% of Shelties were related to Peter, either sired by him or his children.
Shetland Sheepdog Dog Name Considerations
Choosing a name for your pooch can be stressful, but there are many considerations you might want to think about to help you narrow down your choice. You may feel inspired by famous Shelties, so names like Pikku (related to Nintendo), Sam, Mickey, Forrest, Lady, or Peter Pumpkin (champion show dog) could be an option for you.
The origin of a your newest family member is also something to think about. The Shetland Islands are known to be rocky, and Rocky could be the ideal name for your new addition. Loch (a Scottish lake) or Nevis, (the highest mountain in Scotland) are also great choices. Traditional Scottish names like Fergus or Annis are also fitting names for your Sheltie. Heather is a good alternative due to the fact that heather is a flower native to Scotland.
Temperament is a consideration to think about when naming your dog. For example, you could choose Scout for the resourceful canine, or Honey for the sweet pooch. Honey can be a color inspired name too for the tawny, golden or fawn colored dog. Wooly and Wolf are fitting names for the pet with a thick and luxurious coat.
Male Shetland Sheepdog Dog Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 10 |
Finley
Of Scottish origin meaning fair warrior
|
|
| 9 |
Thunder
For the dog that likes to make their presence known
|
|
| 6 |
Teddy
Because your Sheltie is your cuddly teddy bear
|
|
| 5 |
Scout
For the pooch that is as resourceful as a Scout
|
|
| 4 |
Rocky
Inspired by the rocky landscape of the Shetland Islands
|
|
| 2 |
Wolf
Because your Sheltie is wolf-like in appearance
|
|
| 2 |
Sam
Inspired by the Sheltie in the TV series Lethal Weapon
|
|
| 2 |
Mickey
Inspired by the Canadian Children's TV series Mickey's Farm
|
|
| 1 |
Roy
A Scottish name meaning red
|
|
| 0 |
Rufus
Color inspiration; means red-haired
|
|
| -2 |
Marty
Deriving from the name Martin
|
|
| -3 |
Pikku
Inspired by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto
|
|
| -3 |
Nevis
Inspired by Scotland's highest mountain Ben Nevis
|
|
| -3 |
Fergus
Meaning man strength
|
|
| -3 |
Rory
Meaning Red King; originally anglicized from Scottish Gaelic
|
|
| -5 |
Gaius
Means person of earth; Latin origin
|
|
| -5 |
Shep
Short for Shepherd to suit your herding dog
|
|
| -5 |
Wooly
For your double coated long haired pup
|
|
| -5 |
Blair
Scottish meaning field or plain
|
|
| -6 |
Peter Pumpkin
Inspirational showdog Ch Halstor’s Peter Pumpkin ROM
|
|
| -6 |
Sabre
A sword with a curved blade
|
|
| -6 |
Duncan
Anglicized from Scottish Gaelic
|
|
| -6 |
Greer
Meaning watchful guardian; Scottish origin
|
|
| -6 |
Sporran
A Scottish type of belt and pouch often worn with a kilt
|
|
| -7 |
Lachlan
Of Scottish origin meaning from the land of the lakes
|
|
| -7 |
Bobby
Inspired by famous Scottish dog, Greyfriars Bobby
|
|
| -9 |
Loch
A loch is the Scottish name for a lake
|
|
| -9 |
Tam
A woolen Scottish hat
|
|
| -11 |
Clan
12th century families in Scotland indicating kinship and descent
|
|
| -12 |
Dougal
Of Scottish origin meaning dark stranger
|
Female Shetland Sheepdog Dog Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 9 |
Misty
Because Scotland has several misty days
|
|
| 8 |
Honey
For the dog that is sweet; and also a color inspiration
|
|
| 8 |
Sadie
A Scottish diminutive of Sarah
|
|
| 4 |
Sandy
A good name for the Sandy colored dog
|
|
| 2 |
Forrest
Inspired by the landscape of Scotland
|
|
| 2 |
Sable
For the Sheltie with black markings
|
|
| 2 |
Ruby
Ideal for the Sheltie that has red markings
|
|
| -1 |
Maggie
A shortened form of Margaret
|
|
| -2 |
Nessie
Inspired by the Scottish legend of the Lochness Monster
|
|
| -3 |
Lady
Inspired by the pooch in the movie Kill the Irishman
|
|
| -3 |
Maisie
A Scottish diminutive of Margaret
|
|
| -4 |
Penny
A shortened form of the name Penelope
|
|
| -4 |
Thistle
A native flower of Scotland
|
|
| -4 |
Rhona
Scottish origin; means from the rough island
|
|
| -5 |
Annis
Scottish Gaelic origin; means holy
|
|
| -5 |
Satin
For the pooch with the smooth and shiny coat
|
|
| -6 |
Heather
Heather is native to Scotland
|
|
| -6 |
Cairstine
A Scottish Gaelic form of Christine
|
|
| -6 |
Catriona
A Scottish Gaelic form of the name Catherine; means pure
|
|
| -6 |
Fenella
Meaning white shoulders; of Gaelic origin
|
|
| -6 |
Aggie
Means virtuous
|
|
| -6 |
Ceilidh
A Scottish gathering, pronounced Kaylee
|
|
| -7 |
Edan
Means little fire
|
|
| -7 |
Gale
Means pleasant and merry
|
|
| -7 |
Elspeth
A Scottish form of Elizabeth
|
|
| -8 |
Flora
The goddess of spring
|
|
| -8 |
Shona
Of Scottish origin and an Anglicized form of Seonag
|
|
| -8 |
Lerwick
Like the famous Shetland town
|
|
| -8 |
Morag
A Scottish version of Sarah meaning Princess
|
|
| -8 |
Mairie
A Scottish form of the name Mary
|
Written by a Jack-Chi lover Janet Cooper
Published: 04/05/2018, edited: 11/30/2020
More articles by Janet Cooper
Community Dogs With Shetland Sheepdog Dog Names
My mom said this name was cool and I liked it so now it’s my dog’s name
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