Are Shelties:
Good with other dogs or household pets if socialized properly? Yes they are
Known to be same sex aggressive? None of mine have ever shown same sex aggression and I've been around 26 or more shelties.
Good with kids? My parents bred shelties when I wasn't even born. Even before my oldest brother. Every sheltie of theirs were around all three of us from birth to present. There were some issues, like the one was older and I was 3... He didn't like his paws stepped on or he'd nip me. I learned. It never hurt hurt, but it was a learning process.
Do Shelties:
In general, require a LOT of exercise? Honestly, no they don't. My shelties are more than fine with just running outside in the backyard and barking at cars for 30 minutes- an hour a day. They don't even get that sometimes though. My current shelties since I live in an apartment get an hour of exercise outside (agility) a week. We do about 15 minute walks 3-5 times a week. They do get pottied on leash though and walk prob 10-15 mins each time pottied. Exercising can also be done in the house, playing fetch, frisbee etc still counts as exercise.
Like water? This depends on the dog. I have had shelties that LOVE to play in the water. My female currently HATES water. She won't even go to the bathroom if her paws are going to get wet. My male pup loves water, he'll purposely jump in puddles if it's raining or just rained. He also loves the beach.
Other:
Barking: It depends. Shelties are really good guard dogs and want you to know if they hear a sound (could be door bell, car door shutting, foot steps, other animals) Others don't bark at all. Also some will bark if they're in a crate but can hear you.
How much grooming do they REALLY require? I brush my dogs maybe once a week if that. Sometimes I only brush them once a month. If they're blowing coat (which my female is now) I brush them every other day or once a week. It all depends on how much time I have
I live in an environment that is warm to hot most of the year. Is it selfish to a Sheltie to be subjected to heat with such a heavy/long coat? I currently live in NC. The coldest it gets is 35 and that's rare. Both of mine have seen 100 degrees here this summer with no issues. They do get hot easy so don't go on walks with them in the dead heat hours. Go in the mornings or evenings when it's colder. As long as they're not out running around when its 90 and up, they will be fine. My mom actually didn't want me to get a tri sheltie because he'd get hot quickly. Their coats absorb the heat. Blue Merles reflect the heat. I got a tri anyways and he was fine in the heat. He did though get hot easily, but like I said, we didn't keep ours outside other than to go potty.
Good with other dogs or household pets if socialized properly? Yes they are
Known to be same sex aggressive? None of mine have ever shown same sex aggression and I've been around 26 or more shelties.
Good with kids? My parents bred shelties when I wasn't even born. Even before my oldest brother. Every sheltie of theirs were around all three of us from birth to present. There were some issues, like the one was older and I was 3... He didn't like his paws stepped on or he'd nip me. I learned. It never hurt hurt, but it was a learning process.
Do Shelties:
In general, require a LOT of exercise? Honestly, no they don't. My shelties are more than fine with just running outside in the backyard and barking at cars for 30 minutes- an hour a day. They don't even get that sometimes though. My current shelties since I live in an apartment get an hour of exercise outside (agility) a week. We do about 15 minute walks 3-5 times a week. They do get pottied on leash though and walk prob 10-15 mins each time pottied. Exercising can also be done in the house, playing fetch, frisbee etc still counts as exercise.
Like water? This depends on the dog. I have had shelties that LOVE to play in the water. My female currently HATES water. She won't even go to the bathroom if her paws are going to get wet. My male pup loves water, he'll purposely jump in puddles if it's raining or just rained. He also loves the beach.
Other:
Barking: It depends. Shelties are really good guard dogs and want you to know if they hear a sound (could be door bell, car door shutting, foot steps, other animals) Others don't bark at all. Also some will bark if they're in a crate but can hear you.
How much grooming do they REALLY require? I brush my dogs maybe once a week if that. Sometimes I only brush them once a month. If they're blowing coat (which my female is now) I brush them every other day or once a week. It all depends on how much time I have
I live in an environment that is warm to hot most of the year. Is it selfish to a Sheltie to be subjected to heat with such a heavy/long coat? I currently live in NC. The coldest it gets is 35 and that's rare. Both of mine have seen 100 degrees here this summer with no issues. They do get hot easy so don't go on walks with them in the dead heat hours. Go in the mornings or evenings when it's colder. As long as they're not out running around when its 90 and up, they will be fine. My mom actually didn't want me to get a tri sheltie because he'd get hot quickly. Their coats absorb the heat. Blue Merles reflect the heat. I got a tri anyways and he was fine in the heat. He did though get hot easily, but like I said, we didn't keep ours outside other than to go potty.
This describes a sheltie perfectly. They'll play when you want to play and cuddle when you want to cuddle. That being said, not all shelties are lovers and want to cuddle. My pup will only cuddle with me if my fiance isn't around. My female cuddles with me all the time. Both are very affectionate and love to play. I have never met a sheltie that wasn't affectionate and into playing. Though, there are shelties that don't like to play.
(I mean TWO toddlers, haha)
Daughter #1 was always exiting a difficult time when baby girl #2 entered that same phase. Being a man outnumbered by a wife and two girls in the house at the same time, having my puppy boy was really a welcome respite.
