Shetland sheepdogs ?

Question

What is it like owning a sheltie?

Answer 1

I've had dogs my entire life growing up and as an adult had two shelties for 15 years and now could not imagine having any dog OTHER than a sheltie. They are beautiful, loyal, easy to train, intelligent and for the most part good with all people and other dogs. My one was very devoted to me and took a while to warm up to other people. My other LOVED everyone.  

Answer 2

It varies from dog to dog... my first two dogs were Shelties, but one was a mutant and was enormous.  

Some Shelties can be skittish and spook easily, so you really want to make sure yo udo a lot of confidence building exercises (good leash manners, tricks, obedience school), and expose your dog to as many people and situations as you can.  

You also have to do a lot of grooming, ung.  Shelties have a lot of coat, and undercoat, and it can mat easily if you don't keep it well combed out.  

Some Shelties can be yappy, so keeping it occupied and not bored is important.

Both of mine were ridiculously easy to train, not skittish in any way (the last one I took to visit Seniors in Hospitals with), and a pleasure to own.  Mine were also really good with cats but that's more of a socialization and training thing.

Answer 3

Owning a sheltie is a responsibility and a joy, just like any other dog, IF you are prepared for it.  Be aware that shelties blow coat heavily twice a year, and you will spend a lot of time in the early spring and early fall brushing your dog and vacuuming your floors.  Shelties can be noisy, and are velcro dogs.  They like to shadow their owners and be included in family activities.  They can be very serious and work oriented one minute, then clownish and playful the next.  They are a very versatile bred that excels in pretty much all performance venues, as well as do great as therapy dogs.

No matter what breed you choose, be sure you get it form a RESPONSIBLE breeder.  These are ways you can recognize a responsible breeder:

A responsible breeder will:

1) be breeding to the breed's standard..no teacup, micro, mini, imperial,

king, or other goofy term for runts or oversized dogs.  No intentional

"rare", meaning unaccepted by the breed standard, colors either.

2) will be actively showing or working the parents.

3) will have genetic health testing done, such as OFA or PennHip, CERF,

VonWillebrand's, etc.

4) will give you the results of that testing in writing

5) insists on spay/neuter for pet pups.

6) has a contract citing the spay/neuter clause and also offering to take

back the pup at any time for any reason for the rest of its life.

7) is open, honest, and available to the new owner, and can talk aobut their

breed for hours.

8) does a home check before placing a pup, and will turn down homes that

might not be suitable for a pup of their breed.

9) does not put money above the well-being of their animals.

If the breeder you are considering doesn't fit these guidelines, fond a

better breeder.  You are more likely to get a mentally and physically

healthier pup from a responsible breeder.

Answer 4

I haven't had any problems with my shetland sheepdog.

Answer 5

The world according to Shelties

1. I will chase anything that moves - get used to it.

2.  I consider myself to be an integral part of the family - don't treat me like a mere dog.

3.  I will stick my nose into everyone's business and feel compelled to comment upon my observation.

4.  If you should leave me behind, I shall consider this an aberration of proper behavior and will voice my disapproval........loud and long.......often accompanied by frantic twirling and jumping.

5.  I will determine which of your friends is worthy of my affection, and which are to be observed at a distance, before a verdict is rendered. decisions are final.

6.  I will follow you to the ends of the earth, and ALWAYS into the bathroom.

7.  No door is considered to be closed as long as I can push it open with my nose.

8.  Give me plenty of toys and activities to keep me busy.  You don't want me finding tasks on my own - trust me on this.

9.  I have absolutely no qualms about stealing FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD from any source available, even if it is from the mouths of babes.

10.  I will sense your every mood and will be happy or sad along with you.

11. I will give you the best moments of our lives and memories you will cherish forever.

Author unknown

I think this poem says it all.  I can't imagine my life without my Shelties.

Answer 6

they are great and very loyal i love our she is quite and not yappy and a big baby but the worries with shetlies our some of them have eye problems nut you can buy special food to provent that but other than that the are perfect dogs my parents breed them and we still have one but word of advice if  u get it from animal shelter (which i highly recommend) u don't have to worry about this but if you get it from a breeder the runt is not always the smallest because when ours had puppies and we gave the puppy to my cousin he became the size of a collie.

Answer 7

I didn't "own" my first sheltie. i grew up w/him.

They are very smart dogs, they need to be kept busy cause they can get bored. they love children, are loyal and sweet.

My parents had a friend that has show shelties, and on a rare occasion this friend had the opportunity to bred her CH b*tch to a CH dog. Thus a litter of pups was born.

this friend was very close to my mother, they grew up together and raised many animals as kids (farm animals mostly and horses)...my parents at the time lived near my grandparents who had several herds of sheep.

this friend decided to 'gift' a puppy to my mother and father because 1. they were looking for a herding dog to deal w/the sheep since the old dog had passed, and 2. my mother had been there for her during a very bad miscarriage.

so Cody was brought home when i was just 3 yrs old.

he was like a sibling to me. he followed me everywhere. i told him my secrets, my joys, my sorrows. he was very protective of me, strangers were warned w/a pretty big show on his part to STAY AWAY from me.

he never "attacked" anyone, but if you moved too quickly near us (me and my little sister and brother) he would make his displeasure known.

one time a friend was over while we played in the backyard. my little brother (who was probably around 2 yrs old at the time) was swinging on a baby swing, my mother's friend near him. he slipped and almost fell, but my mom's friend reached out and grabbed him. Cody didn't like that fast movement towards my brother and he quickly grabbed the friends wrist w/his mouth. he didn't bite, he didn't move...he held her hand in his mouth and looked up at her. he was warning her.

she praised him for being protective and she calmed him down and she moved slowly away from him.

it freaked my mother out, but my mom's friend told her that she had a wonderful dog for us kids.

she was right.

Cody lived a very long life w/us. He was humanely euthanized at the age of 13 due to kidney failure from old age. i was 15 and completey broken hearted. he was my best friend. that was 16 yrs ago, and i still grieve for him.

what was it like having a sheltie in my life....wonderful.