There are no
moose in
Scotland.
Elk and
deer, but no moose*.
Traditionally,
sheepdogs are
canine creatures which herd
ovine creatures. Hence the name "
sheepdog".
Shetland sheepdogs are bred small because
Shetland sheep are rather smaller than your standard sheep. Shetland sheep are small because the
Shetland Islands themselves are not made of of vast rolling acres. So the canny inhabitants keep their animals small enough to fit on the islands without toppling into the cold
North Sea the moment they start chasing each other around. (
Shetland ponies) are also known primarily for their lack of size.)
The only problem with this theory is that Shetland Sheepdogs are too
daft to chase anything for more than a minute or two without forgetting where they were going or falling over their own feet.
* The elk chasing dogs are elkhounds, the deerchasing ones, amazingly enough, are known as deerhounds.