Watercolor
Blue merle and sable look luminous in soft, blooming washes.
Custom Shetland Sheepdog Portraits
A sensitive, clever herder in a miniature collie coat.
Upload a photo of your Sheltie to see the portrait.
Shown: an example Watercolor portrait
Upload a photoPortraits of Shetland Sheepdogs
Shetland Sheepdogs come from the Shetland Islands off the north of Scotland, where small, hardy dogs herded sheep, ponies and poultry. They look like a small Collie but are their own breed: bright, sensitive, devoted and famously quick learners. Shelties are No. 29 on the AKC's 2025 list.
Sheltie portraits hinge on the elegant, wedge-shaped head, the almond eyes, the tipped ears and the magnificent mane and frill around the neck. Sable, tricolor and blue merle are the most familiar colors, and some blue merles have blue or partly blue eyes. That luxurious coat is a gift to painterly styles, and the Sheltie's gentle expression makes soft watercolor and pastel portraits especially lovely.
Coat & color
Sable, tricolor, blue merle, bi-black and bi-blue, with white. Sable glows in oil; blue merle is beautiful in watercolor.Popularity
No. 29 on the AKC’s 2025 most popular breeds list.Top style pick
Watercolor · Soft washes on white paper.
Photo tips for your Sheltie
01Keep the tipped ears
Sheltie ears fold at the tips. Get their attention with a sound so the ears lift into their natural shape.02Include the mane
Frame down to the chest so the full white frill is visible.03Even light for merle
Shade or cloudy daylight shows the merle pattern without hot spots.
Styles for a Sheltie
Chosen for the breed's look and personality, best first.
Shetland Sheepdog portrait questions
More answers in the FAQ.
Should I use a photo of my Sheltie in full coat?
If you love the full mane, yes: pick a photo after a good brush, when the frill is at its fullest. If your Sheltie is mid-shed, the portrait will follow that look instead. Previews are free, so you can try both.
Which portrait style suits a Shetland Sheepdog?
We'd start with Watercolor: Blue merle and sable look luminous in soft, blooming washes. Oil is a close second: A golden sable mane looks rich in thick paint. You can try every style with your own photo and pick the one that looks most like your Sheltie.
What kind of photo of my Sheltie works best?
A sharp, close photo in soft daylight, taken at your dog's eye level, is the foundation. For a Sheltie specifically: Keep the tipped ears. Sheltie ears fold at the tips. Get their attention with a sound so the ears lift into their natural shape. Include the mane. Frame down to the chest so the full white frill is visible.
How much does a custom Shetland Sheepdog portrait cost?
Gallery Canvas from $59, Framed Print from $75, Fine Art Print from $35, Digital Portrait $29. US shipping is free on every order, and every print, framed print and canvas includes the hi-res digital file.