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The Sheltie, or Shetland Sheepdog, hails from the Shetland Islands. This herding dog is built to survive harsh climates and has an incredible sense of loyalty to their owners. They are sensitive and cautious of strangers, so they make great watchdogs despite their small stature. If you are about to welcome a Sheltie into your home, congratulations! One of the first decisions that you need to make is what to name your dog. Here, we rounded up 125 of the most popular and unique names for Shetland Sheepdogs to help you find the best one!
How to Name Your Dog
Finding the perfect name for your dog is challenging. To help you narrow down the search, here are expert tips for choosing a name:
- Make sure the name that you choose doesn’t rhyme with common commands, like “no,” “sit,” or “stay.”
- Choose something that you like. You will be saying your dog’s name every day for many years to come, so this is vital.
- Keep it short and easy to say. If you choose a long name, know that you are likely to shorten it or use a nickname. Make sure you’re comfortable with this.
- If you are adopting an adult dog and you wish to change their name, choose one that sounds familiar to them. Names that rhyme are the easiest — for example, “Bayley” to “Hayley” or “Marley” to “Charlie.”
Fun Ways to Choose Your Dog’s Name
Here are a few ways to get inspiration for your dog’s name:
- Name them after their personality or appearance.
- Name them after a special place or item to you and your dog, or name them after the place or time of year they were born.
- Use a celebrity’s, historical figure’s, or athlete’s name.
- Consider naming your dog after a theme that’s important to your life. For example, if you are a fan of cheese, you might consider “Brie,” or “Harry Potter” fans might choose “Mrs. Norris.”
The Most Popular Sheltie Dog Names
Here are the most popular names for Shetland Sheepdogs. If you want a familiar name that’s commonly found among this breed, this is the list to choose from.
- Abby
- Allie
- Angel
- Apollo
- Athena
- Bailey
- Baxter
- Beacon
- Bear
- Beau
- Bella
- Bentley
- Blu
- Bonnie
- Boomer
- Brady
- Bubbles
- Buddy
- Callie
- Cassie
- Cecilia
- Charlie
- Chase
- Chloe
- Coco
- Cody
- Cooper
- Daisy
- Dakota
- Ebony
- Ella
- Ellie
- Foxy
- Gigi
- Ginger
- Gracie
- Gus
- Harley
- Holly
- Honey
- Iris
- Isla
- Ivy
- Jackson
- Jake
- Jasper
- Jax
- Kaya
- Kiwi
- Kobe
- Koda
- Lacey
- Lady
- Layla
- Leia
- Leo
- Lexi
- Lillie
- Lola
- Lucy
- Luna
- Maggie
- Maverick
- Max
- Milo
- Mindy
- Minnie
- Misty
- Molly
- Mya
- Nala
- Nash
- Nessie
- Nova
- Oakley
- Oliver
- Ollie
- Otis
- Panda
- Parker
- Pearl
- Penny
- Phoebe
- Piper
- Pippa
- Raja
- Reggie
- Riley
- Rosie
- Roxy
- Ruby
- Rudy
- Sadie
- Samantha
- Sammy
- Sassy
- Shadow
- Shelby
- Sissy
- Skye
- Snickers
- Sophie
- Summer
- Teddy
- TJ
- Toby
- Tucker
- Wally
- Walter
- Willow
- Winnie
- Winston
- Zoe
Dog Names From the TV Series “Shetland”
If you’re a literature fan, Ann Cleeves wrote a series of books that drew attention to the Shetland Islands in Scotland, where the Sheltie breed originates from. These books were turned into a TV series called “Shetland.” Here are cute dog names from the series.
- Billy
- Cassie
- Duncan
- Jimmy
- MacIntosh (or Mac)
- Perez
- Sandy
- Tosh
Dog Names Based on Scottish Words and Foods
Since your dog hails from the Isles of Scotland, why not choose a name that highlights their heritage? Here are a few unique names based on Scottish Gaelic words and traditional Shetland foods.
- Bairn
- Bannock
- Bide
- Birl
- Blyde
- Braaly
- Breck
- Broch
- Bronnie
- Croft
- Filsket
- Foy
- Holm
- Hufsie
- Hund
- Isla
- Lass
- Lodberry
- Makkin
- Moorie
- Noss
- Peerie
- Proil
- Sirpin
- Smucks
- Stoorie
- Tattie
- Tiffin
- Trow
Dog Names Based on Geographical Locations
The Shetland Archipelago consists of over 100 islands off the coast of Scotland. While only 15 are inhabited, these islands are home to many of the most exotic place names on the planet, several of which can make excellent Sheltie names.
- Balta
- Bressay
- Burra
- Busta
- Bustaessay
- Charlotte
- Firth
- Garth
- Laxo
- Lerwick
- Mousa
- Noss
- Oxna
- Papa
- Ronas
- Vaila
- Yell
- Whalsey
Dog Names Based on Nature and Wildlife
If you’re looking for a fun name that honors nature, try out one of these nature and wildlife names for your sheepdog.
- Aspen
- Badger
- Bay
- Briar
- Buck
- Cascade
- Cedar
- Dove
- Drake
- Elm
- Fawn
- Gannet
- Harbor
- Jay
- Juniper
- Leaf
- Lynx
- Moose
- Moss Boulder
- Newt
- Pacific
- Puffin
- Raven
- Reed
- Ridge
- Rocky
- Rye
- Sahara
- Sapphire
- Sparrow
- Stone
- Tiger
- Tundra
- Wolf
- Wren
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this list has helped you find the perfect name for your new Shetland Sheepdog. Remember to choose a name that’s perfect for you, is easy to say, and feels right for your dog. It’s okay if it takes a while to figure it out. Sometimes you have to try one for a few days and see if it fits. You’ll know it when you find it!
Featured Image Credit: JACLOU-DL, Pixabay
