Is a Sheltie right for me?

My boys met children on plenty of occasions when on walks when they were around the age of 6 months, even some came up to pet them. They were relatively fine with it.

They don't get the same attention any more and now they aren't really fond of children, particularly their loudness/quickness is what gets to them. Socialisation is a big deal when it comes to shelties, it's something that needs to be practically constant. Mine went through a period of not being around children/dogs enough and I feel like they've regressed a lot compared to a few months ago. That's just my experience though.
 
If you train them right yeah!!

Are Shelties:
Good with other dogs or household pets if socialized properly?
Known to be same sex aggressive?

Not usually

Good with kids? I don't have kids yet, but would not rule it out within the next 5 years.

Absolutely! Just try and make sure they are socialized at a young age!

Do Shelties:
In general, require a LOT of exercise? My significant other likes Aussies but, I know us and the amount of exercise an Aussie requires would be too much. I'm looking for a breed with a good off switch inside but is good with maybe a 30 minute game in the backyard, plus unlimited time in the backyard if desired, and a couple short to medium walks a day (morning and evening). I would not be happy with a dog that I have to run 5 miles a day with, and constantly provide mental stimulation or it would go nuts. I'm all for play, wrestling, buying Kong's to fill time, or those little puzzle boxes, but I don't want a dog smarter than me, if that makes sense.

My Sheltie needs about a 10 minute walk a day, and for me to play fetch with her and tug-a-war.. And I arm wrestle with her (she stands up on her hind legs and tries attacking my hand but doesn't hurt me of course) adding up to about 30-60 minutes depending on my energy levels.. Lol

Like water? Sometimes we go out on the boat and it would be nice to have a dog that can enjoy the water with us.

Mine doesn't particularly like water but she wasn't socialized with it at an early age.. She will go in to about her tummy though unless I completely leave her!

Other:
I work at home. Sometimes my work requires that I make or receive calls. I know Shelties are notorious for barking. How often do they bark, are they problem barkers or are they just warning barkers (I.e. heard a noise etc).

Mine does bark.. But if you spray them with a spray bottle that usually works (I'm still working on it lol)

How much grooming do they REALLY require? Is this a breed that requires daily brushing or can I get away with brushing once a week and a professional groom maybe every 2-3 months or longer?

Most you should brush everyday.. Unfortunately my little girl doesn't have much of a coat to speak of.. In other words.. She is a throwback. Less grooming for me, but that's not common.

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? The dog would be an indoor dog but its a concern of my significant other that it is too hot here for a long coated dog for the times we do go outside.

Spray them down.. And don't shave or else they're undercoat disappears and they get sunburns and everything.. They're skin get agitated!

I love Velcro dogs. I am very much looking for a family dog that is satisfied just being a pet. No showing, no trials or anything. I mean agility is attractive to me, however, I would not want to buy a dog for sport and then not do it. I want a dog that is happy to see us when we come home, eager to go on a walk, or a quick run, up for a game of tug or fetch, but has no problem curling up with us on the couch. We travel, and I like the more convenient size of a Sheltie versus other breeds we were looking at. I had a friend with one as a kid, and from what I remember she was just the sweetest little dog. She's the reason I am asking if they would fit our lifestyle.[/QUOTE]

Tarra loves to travel, and plays a lot during the day, but at night she gets tired, and turns into a little cuddle bug!
 
Sheltie.Mama said:
Are Shelties:
Like water? Sometimes we go out on the boat and it would be nice to have a dog that can enjoy the water with us.

I don't know about swimming long distances. I've seen shelties that do swim, but they have so much fur, I'd be afraid it would get heavy when it's wet and wear the dog out more quickly.


Mine does bark.. But if you spray them with a spray bottle that usually works (I'm still working on it lol)

See, if you squirt them with a water bottle, absolutely NOTHING happens. But if you say Quiet, they shut up.

I love Velcro dogs. I am very much looking for a family dog that is satisfied just being a pet. No showing, no trials or anything. I mean agility is attractive to me, however, I would not want to buy a dog for sport and then not do it. I want a dog that is happy to see us when we come home, eager to go on a walk, or a quick run, up for a game of tug or fetch, but has no problem curling up with us on the couch. We travel, and I like the more convenient size of a Sheltie versus other breeds we were looking at. I had a friend with one as a kid, and from what I remember she was just the sweetest little dog. She's the reason I am asking if they would fit our lifestyle.
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My shelties are my pets. They aren't beauty queens, or athletes (Well, in their minds they are), They are EXTREMELY happy to see us when we get home. Our dogs even know about when we will be home, and start prancing until the door opens, and the glorious human comes in. Out of our five, two are total cuddle bugs, two more do on occasion, and the last one cuddles when the lights are off.
 
I have 2 shelties, 2 kitties and 4 kids! My house is a zoo and is always loud. The shelties play well with each other as well as the kitties, although the kitties are less enthusiastic about being chewed on. They love the kids, we play several fetch games in the house; they 2 shelties play their own version of tug-o-war. They are a little shy outside of the house so we try a weekly visit to Petsmart to work on those issues.

I couldn't have asked for a more lovable, goofy, beautiful, and weird pet than my shelties! They are so smart but they are also just like kids, they make messes and pretend they didn't, they don't listen when you are trying to show off their new trick, but one kiss and snuggle from the furry little buttmunch and you melt!

Kelly
 
Oh...and as far as using the spray bottle...it works well until your 10 year old turns it into a game! We still use the spray bottle on the cats but when Kirby hears it, he is right there attacking the stream like a drink from a water fountain.

While it is really funny, we have lost the upper hand as far as using the spray bottle as a disicpline process.
 
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