Pastoral group · Breed guide
Shetland Sheepdog: weight, routine and daily dose
The Shetland Isles, off the north-east coast of Scotland, produced animals suited to small acreage — the Shetland pony and the Shetland Sheepdog among them. The Royal Kennel Club notes that the Scottish sheepdogs behind the Collie, Border Collie and Bearded Collie are thought to have played a part in the Sheltie’s ancestry, and that it was first shown at Crufts in 1906 as a miniature Collie.
The breed standard describes a small, long-haired working dog of great beauty — alert, gentle, intelligent, strong and active, affectionate and responsive to its owner and reserved towards strangers. Shelties have done well in obedience and agility as well as the show ring, and with up to an hour’s exercise a day suggested, training and play are often as much a part of the routine as walks.
At a glance
- Typical adult weight
- 6.5–11.5 kg
- DIGEST+ per day
- 1–2 tablets/day
- One bottle lasts
- 60–120 days
- Suggested refill
- Every 6–12 weeks
Weight: American Kennel Club, “Weight: 15-25 pounds” [source]
How many DIGEST+ tablets does a Shetland Sheepdog need?
A typical adult Shetland Sheepdog weighs 6.5–11.5 kg, which crosses 2 rows of the DIGEST+ feeding guide. Weigh your own dog and use the row for its current weight — the table shows each case.
| Your dog’s weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts | Suggested refill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg | 1 tablet/day | 120 days | Every 12 weeks |
| 11–25 kg | 2 tablets/day | 60 days | Every 6 weeks |
The label goes from “up to 10 kg” to “11–25 kg”. A dog over 10 kg is no longer in the first band, so we use the 11–25 kg row.
How long DIGEST+ lasts for a Shetland Sheepdog
| Daily dose | 1 bottle | 2 bottles | 3 bottles | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tablet/day | 120 days | 240 days | 360 days | from £0.17 |
| 2 tablets/day | 60 days | 120 days | 180 days | from £0.33 |
Days are for one dog. Each bottle holds 120 tablets; days are rounded down to whole days. Prices and cost per day by bottle count.
Feeding-routine notes for Shetland Sheepdog owners
- On training or agility days, take food used as rewards out of the daily allowance rather than adding it on top.
- Shelties vary in size (the AKC gives 15–25 lb, roughly 7–11 kg), which straddles the 10 kg line in the feeding guide — weigh your own dog.
- Feed main meals once your dog has settled after an agility session or energetic play, not just before.
- An abundant coat can hide weight gain; feel along the ribs as well as using the scales.
- Give DIGEST+ at the same point in the day — with breakfast or dinner — so it becomes part of the routine. The tablets can be eaten directly or crushed into food.
- Weigh your dog every few months: the dose follows body weight, not breed.
- Introduce one new thing at a time. If you are also changing food, let that settle first so you know what is what.
The full feeding guide
| Body weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg | 1 tablet/day | 120 days |
| 11–25 kg | 2 tablets/day | 60 days |
| 25–40 kg | 3 tablets/day | 40 days |
| Over 40 kg | 4 tablets/day | 30 days |
Work out your exact supply
The calculator on the product page takes your dog’s weight band and how many dogs you have, then shows the daily dose, how long a bottle lasts and a sensible refill rhythm.
Shetland Sheepdog: common questions
How many DIGEST+ tablets should a Shetland Sheepdog have a day?
Typical adult Shetland Sheepdogs weigh 6.5–11.5 kg, which crosses more than one row of the DIGEST+ feeding guide: Up to 10 kg: 1 tablet/day; 11–25 kg: 2 tablets/day. Weigh your dog and use the row for its current weight.
How long does one bottle of DIGEST+ last for a Shetland Sheepdog?
Each bottle holds 120 tablets. At 1 tablet/day one bottle lasts 120 days; At 2 tablets/day one bottle lasts 60 days. Days are for one dog and rounded down.
Should I change feeding on agility or training days?
Many owners keep main meals the same and take training rewards out of the day’s food allowance. Feed main meals once your dog has settled after activity. The tablet goes with the usual meal as normal.
Which band of the feeding guide does a Shetland Sheepdog fall into?
It depends on the individual. The AKC gives 15–25 pounds, roughly 7 to 11 kg, so Shelties can fall either side of the 10 kg line. Weigh your dog and use that figure, and ask your vet whether your dog’s weight is right for them.
Can every Shetland Sheepdog have DIGEST+?
DIGEST+ is not recommended for pregnant or lactating dogs and is not suitable for puppies under 12 weeks. If your Shetland Sheepdog is under veterinary supervision, ask your vet before starting.
Sources
- Shetland Sheepdog - Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Shetland Sheepdog – Breeds A to Z — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Shetland Sheepdog breed standard — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
Updated