Sheltie coat colors

Sable Shelties are one of the most recognizable colour groups and can vary widely in shade and expression.

Variations include:

• Clear (or “pure”) sable – a clean golden to light tan coat with minimal dark overlay 
• Mahogany sable – a rich, deep reddish-brown colouring 
• Shaded sable – sable with noticeable black tipping or overlay across the coat 
• Sable merle – a sable coat with merling (mottled pattern), often more visible in puppies and may fade with age 

Sables typically have white markings and may also display tan points. Colour can deepen or change as the dog matures.

Tri-colour Shelties fall within the black colour group and have:

• A black base coat 
• White markings 
• Distinct tan points (on the face, legs, and under the tail) 

This is a classic and well-known Sheltie colour pattern.

Bi-black Shelties are also part of the black colour group and are:

• Black with white markings 
• No tan points 

They have a clean, striking appearance with strong contrast.

Bi-blue Shelties are a variation of the blue merle colour group and:

• Have a blue/grey marbled coat 
• Include white markings 
• Do not have tan points 

They are less common but equally beautiful.

Blue merles are part of the merle colour group and are known for their unique patterning.

They feature:

• A silver-blue coat marbled with black patches 
• White markings and often tan points 

Blue or partially blue eyes are permitted in blue merles under the breed standard. Each dog’s pattern is unique.

They are less common but equally beautiful.

White markings are typical across all Sheltie colours and may appear on:

• Collar 
• Chest 
• Legs 
• Tail tip 
• Facial blaze 

These markings contribute to the classic Sheltie outline and expression described in the breed standard.