Is a Sheltie Right for Me?

[corbinam]

By the sounds of it then it is a boy that would probably be more what I'm after, personality wise! Though I bet I will end up falling for a female now, hehe. I do love lovey dovey, kissy dogs, so a male probably will be who I set my heart on when looking at puppies

I just want to say that there are exceptions to the affectionate boys rule....my little girl is a lapdog (well, when she's tired) and she will kiss me as long as I let her! My boy, on the other hand, is just now starting to want to sit right up next to me on the couch. He very rarely gives kisses.

So basically, tell the breeder what you're looking for, and she can point you in the right direction.

 

[Justicemom]

By the sounds of it then it is a boy that would probably be more what I'm after, personality wise! Though I bet I will end up falling for a female now, hehe. I do love lovey dovey, kissy dogs, so a male probably will be who I set my heart on when looking at puppies

My advise would be to keep your mind open. Both on sex and color and find the pup that suits you.

My Diva is extremely sweet, kissy kissy and loving. She is the one who has to touch me at night when I'm sleeping and likes to lay on my chest. Of all my dogs she is the snugglest. Bock coming in second but he is Diva's son.

 

[Diana]

By the sounds of it then it is a boy that would probably be more what I'm after, personality wise! Though I bet I will end up falling for a female now, hehe. I do love lovey dovey, kissy dogs, so a male probably will be who I set my heart on when looking at puppies

I do have an adorable girl Sheltie who also is a big cuddler. I did start her young, though!

 

[seashel]

I just emailed a breeder who seems lovely and genuinely concerned about the welfare and quality of home that her shelties go to! i told her about myself, the lifestyle, when I would be looking to welcomea new member of the family into my life and why I liked her as a breeder. I haven't asked too many questions as I'd like to know if she thinks I am suitable first.

Sounds like you've made a good step (giant leap?) into the happy journey of sheltie friendship! Congratulations!!

There are some doggy daycare places in the UK but as far as I know they're mostly around the major cities.

 

[angel_night]

I will definitely be keeping an open mind! I don't really mind which sex I end up with! But I do think I have a preference for 'snugglers' hehe. Colour wise, I love them all! I keep trying to decide which is my favourite, but I physically can't! I hopefully won't be too difficult to please when finding the right puppy comes into reality!

Yessss, a massive leap actually contacting a breeder! I feel like it cements my intentions now. I'm nervous for the reply though incase they don't think I'm suitable. They sound great though: she asks for a reference and she provides so muich with the puppy, like fact sheets and care sheets Plus all the relevant tests here in the UK. Really feel comfortable with her! Over 2 hours away mind! there is a breeder in my city, but ashe really stood out to me. I may contact him as well though as he did sound nice, but I think his focus maybe rough collies.

 

[danisgoat]

This is great news for you!

 

[Nackers06]

Shelties living alone

Hi all,
Firstly an apology, Im not sure if Im supposed to post here but Im completely new to this forum thingy! . If this is the wrong spot please let me know.

I have the same concerns as angel_night, working just over 9 hours a day 5 days a week. I wont be able to get home during the day, but plan to take whatever angel (or devil from the sounds of it!!) on a nightly play to the park and a weekend of fun. My biggest concern is how a sheltie will cope on its own all day (I do own a cat) and the barking. I know this has been answered several times, but I want a happy dog that looks forward to me coming home, not a miserable one in the kennel! I understand that all dogs are different and some are quiet, but am just wondering if Im looking at the wrong breed. Please help me!

From what Ive read in the forums though, my girlfriend might finally stop calling me the crazy one if I decide on a Sheltie........

 

[Toffee's Mom]

Hi all,
Firstly an apology, Im not sure if Im supposed to post here but Im completely new to this forum thingy! . If this is the wrong spot please let me know.

I have the same concerns as angel_night, working just over 9 hours a day 5 days a week. I wont be able to get home during the day, but plan to take whatever angel (or devil from the sounds of it!!) on a nightly play to the park and a weekend of fun. My biggest concern is how a sheltie will cope on its own all day (I do own a cat) and the barking. I know this has been answered several times, but I want a happy dog that looks forward to me coming home, not a miserable one in the kennel! I understand that all dogs are different and some are quiet, but am just wondering if Im looking at the wrong breed. Please help me!

From what Ive read in the forums though, my girlfriend might finally stop calling me the crazy one if I decide on a Sheltie........

First... I took a few days vacation when I got the puppy and then I hired a school kid whose Parents I knew and trusted to take Toffee out to pee and play and socialize with for little bit, while I was working (I am gone 9 hours a day)... I am single fur-kid parent, LOL, so it wasn't always easy! But absolutely doable for many. My dog is my best friend, so I don't consider going for a walk, hanging out with my favourite little guy, or training as being chore, it's my real joy and fun time I did and DO make sure I take him out a LOT and above all provide him with mental and physical exercise and stimulation.. a tired Sheltie is a good Sheltie.. no if's and but's around that! I believe that training and finding an activity to do together is ideal for a Sheltie, so eager to please and finding work! I love doing agility with Toffee and in the beginning didn't think we would ever compete but it looks like we will start to this spring.

Second... Shelties aren't quiet... lol
However, there is a difference between a dog suffering from separation anxiety and barking because of that or barking cuz there is something strange a Sheltie simply needs to alert you to... Let's say for example a Vacuum, a sneeze or a electric toothbrush (all Toffee's sworn Enemies) lol

 

[Justicemom]

I used to work 9-10 hr days routinely and I planned that when I got home a good amount of time would be spent exercising and training my dog. As others have said shelties like a job. If you are the type of person who wants to come home from work and put your feet up this is not the breed for you.

I do obedience and agility with my dogs. Obedience work tires them out quicker than a hour run outside. 15 mins obedience is like 1 hr agility for my guys. With my pups 5 or 6 5 mins sessions a day works wonders. They love the game and the attention.

As for barking ,yes shelties bark some more than others. My first sheltie Justice was raised in an apartment and he never barked. He was really socialized to random noises as a small puppy. I exercised him before work, gave him kong toys to chew on and he was happy as a clam. His breeder told me he wasn't much of a barker and she was right. He only started barking when I got my second sheltie Ember. Ember has a big mouth.

Of my other shelties Diva barks when excited randomly during agility but that is it. Jamie never barks and I have never heard him. Porter barks with excitement like his mom. Bock has a big mouth like Ember but I trained him better that quiet gets him more rewards and barking gets him no where. He is pretty quiet now.

.

 

[Toffee's Mom]

.....
I do obedience and agility with my dogs. Obedience work tires them out quicker than a hour run outside. 15 mins obedience is like 1 hr agility for my guys. With my pups 5 or 6 5 mins sessions a day works wonders. They love the game and the attention.
.....

obedience snob
hahahahaahah

I find that figuring things out for agility is hard work thinking, but would concur that short, intense training sessions are always key!