Pros and Cons of Shelties or Shetland Sheepdogs?

noah l: Shelties or Shetland sheepdogs?
What is good about a sheltie what are their good and bad qualities.

Answers and Views:

Answer by c63corgi
Shelties are very loyal and smart but very yappy and need coat maintenance, if not brushed, the fur can get matted.

Photo Credit: Daisyree Bakker/Flickr CC

Answer by Cavalier Gal
General Description
The Shetland Sheepdog is a dog that has a long, thick, double coat that is made of both coarse and fine hairs. They are small to medium-sized dogs with a well-defined stop, flat skull, and erect ears. They are intelligent and quick to learn new things.

Temperament
The Shetland Sheepdog is an outstanding companion dog with a delightful temperament. Gentle, sensitive, loyal, and dainty. Very lively, intelligent, and trainable. The Shetland Sheepdog is one of the smartest breeds, very willing to please and obey. These dogs are so smart that many fanciers consider them to have almost human intelligence.

Loving, loyal, and affectionate with its family, but suspicious with strangers, especially with children, but they will put up with a lot from children in the family. The Sheltie is known to not allow themselves to be touched by strangers and will display noisy persistent barking. It is a good guard and watchdog. Socialize extensively as a puppy. This breed needs people and must be raised in a home where he can have a lot of companionships.

They like to be kept busy. The Sheltie is above all an intelligent herder, capable both of commanding large cattle and holding small sheep in check. The herding instinct is still very strong in many of them. They love to chase things. Unfortunately - and often disastrously - they love to chase cars.

A Sheltie should not be allowed to run free near a road as it may decide to chase a car or something else it sees across the road, running a high risk of getting hit by a car. Because of its beauty and kindness, the Sheltie has become a popular companion dog. This breed may bark a lot. Some say males make better and more affectionate pets.

Height, Weight
Height: 13-16 inches (33-40.6 cm.)
Weight: 14-27 pounds (6.4-12.3 kg.)

Health Problems
Like the Rough Collie, there is a tendency toward inherited malformation and disease of the eyes. Each individual puppy should have his eyes examined by a qualified veterinary ophthalmologist. Some lines may be prone to hypothyroidism. It can also be affected by the displacement of the patella (kneecap), which is thought to be inherited. The Sheltie is a very popular breed, leading to the sale of many inferior animals. Buy only from a reputable breeder. Do not over-feed the Sheltie.

Living Conditions
The Sheltie will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Exercise
This active, graceful dog needs lots of exercises, which include a daily walk or jog. They will also enjoy running free, but be sure the dog is in a safe area.

Life Expectancy
About 12-15 years.

Grooming
The coat is easier to care for than you might expect, but regular brushing is important. Mist the coat lightly with water before you begin and tease out the mats before they get bad, but use the comb sparingly. This breed is a seasonally heavy shedder. The dense undercoat is shed twice a year: in the spring and fall. The coat readily sheds dirt and mud and Shelties are quite fastidious about their cleanliness. Bathe or dry shampoo only when absolutely necessary.

Origin
The Shetland Sheepdog is probably descended from Scottish Rough Collies brought to the Scottish island of Shetland and crossed with the Icelandic Yakkin, a small island dog (now no longer recognized) brought over in the boats of fishermen. By 1700, the breed was completely developed.

For centuries these little dogs were used to herd and guard the sheep flocks of the Shetlands, those rugged islands off the Scottish coast where many of the animals are rather small in stature. Refinement of the breed took place mainly in the twentieth century after the export of Shelties to mainland Scotland and beyond.

These small shepherds were very gentle when herding the miniature stock. One of the top obedience competition breeds, the Sheltie is an extremely smart and willing worker. The Shetland Sheepdog was first recognized in England in 1909 and first registered in the United States in 1911.

Because of his kindly disposition, the Sheltie has become one of today's most popular companion dogs. Some of the Shelties talents include tracking, herding, watchdogging, guarding, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.

Answer by sharon f
They are great dogs but they bark a lot because it is a herding dog. Mine is great. I wouldn't have any other breed. They excel in agility and herding.

• What is a Fair Price for an AKC Shetland Sheepdog?

Answer by Paula G
My first choice was a border collie as my grandparents on the farm always had one. Luckily for all involved, the breeder and other owners talked me out getting one as my lifestyle was not conducive to the exercise needed. BUT they did suggest a Sheltie which they referred to an "a brain dead border collie". They begrudgingly admitted that it was really a compliment as Shelties were so smart.

My son was 3 when Piper arrived and she herded him to bath, to bed and anywhere else she could. As he grew older and his friends came to play, they were accepted but she always kept an eye on my son.

My second sheltie came 6 years later. Piper liked Charge but she always made sure that he knew she was the boss.
She passed away in 2001 and we waited until 2007 to get another Sheltie named Bandit.

Charge and Bandit got along so well and he taught as many manners to Bandit as he could until he passed away last week.
Piper the female was quite indifferent but allowed to be petted by strangers we met on the street. In the house, though my friends were her friends. The boys love everyone and even strangers are their friends.

The key to a great Sheltie in my lowly opinion is to enroll them in an obedience school. They usually are the stars! And its so very important to take them to as many places as possible to get them used to everything.

Yappy, yes but they only bark when someone comes to the door or if they really get involved in playing outside.
Grooming isn't too bad except for those little boogers behind their ears. Where do they come from so quickly?

Would I have another breed of dog- NO. My friends over the years have had some really nice dogs but I always went home thinking "Man I'm glad I've got a sheltie"
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