LaLa's Lilliputian Lassies

LaLa’s Lilliputian Lassies specializes in breeding exceptionally small Shetland Sheepdogs, smaller than the standard size. Our AKC-registered Sheltie parents come from top “Toy” Sheltie bloodlines, carefully selected for health and minimal collie influence, with over four decades of dedicated breeding. All our dogs are fully health tested, with clear results publicly available on the OFA website. Parent dogs have DNA profiles on file with AKC, ensuring unquestioned parentage and lineage. They are cherished family pets, not kennel-kept, and sleep comfortably in our beds.

PLEASE NOTE: The term “Toy” is NOT an officially recognized category within the American Kennel Club (AKC) or any other major kennel club. The phrase was actually coined by reputable and ethical breeders of smaller Shelties to describe these tiny, hardy, and healthy dogs that are intentionally bred to be smaller than the standard size. This term is not intended to be misleading in any way, but rather to clearly distinguish these deliberately smaller Shetland Sheepdogs from standard-sized Shetland Sheepdogs that happen to be small due to being unhealthy or runts or perfectly healthy but unintentionally small. Occasionally, breeders of standard-size Shelties may have smaller-than-average puppies, but these are not considered part of the “Toy” category. To those breeders they are largely unintentional and undesirable, because they do not fit the breed standard and are not able to compete in conformation. Breeders of “Toy” Shelties adhere to all breed standards EXCEPT for size. Sometimes, a “Toy” Sheltie may unexpectedly grow to standard size, but even then, these dogs tend to be on the smaller end of the standard size range. Additionally, “Toy” Shelties are predominantly of the UK type, which are more refined in appearance with less bulky legs and narrower noses compared to the US type. UK type Shelties generally weigh considerably less than their US counterparts of the same height. Importantly, no reputable or ethical breeder of Shetland Sheepdogs of any type or size will cross their Sheltie with another breed and present it as purebred.