My wife bought a "voice softened" sheltie

[Petrocelli]

This is my first post. I found this forum by searching the word "debarked" and see it has been a controversial topic on this forum and elsewhere.

Long story short: Our first Sheltie passed about 6 months ago, and we decided it was time for a new Sheltie. because I was busy with work, my wife performed the search. She went to a reputable breeder who had a 1 year old show dog that was going to be too small, and she was looking to place it.

She told my wife the dog's voice had been "softened". My wife heard another dog there that had also been debarked, and it had a bark, although not as loud.

The first day, our new dog did not make a noise. The third day, some thunder came on TV, and the dog "barked" in a hoarse whisper. I was shocked, because I had not been told about the procedure. After a long discussion (which I will shorten), my wife asked if we should take the dog back. As far as I was concerned, the dog was loving and it wasn't her fault she was "debarked", so I said the dog stays.

It's a week later, and we made the right decision. This is a very loving Sheltie who I love back. (She just walked up and sat down next to me while I type this.) We have no problem communicating, because I can recognize her "bark", and I respond to it like it's the loudest bark in the world.

I hate to start my "hello" post with a controversial subject, but that's it.

Question: Does anyone know if the tone and timber of the bark changes as time goes on?

Thanks for listening.

Petrocelli

 

[PatC]

Hi--I am by no means an expert, but I can tell you that I have two "softened" Shelties, from a highly reputable breeder, both retired champions. One has the very soft, hoarse bark you describe; the other has a more recognizable, but somewhat quieter than normal, bark. In the two years I have had them--they are now 6 and 8--there have been no changes in the sound. Both enjoy barking a great deal, and are very capable of saying everything they need to say.

 

[SheepOfBlue]

No controversy for me. You found a good buddy and she found a great home. Sounds like a happy ending

I have seen a few that were debarked and the bark varies a lot from dog to dog. It seems a more common practice in show dogs and apartment shelties. I would not do it but then I have a large yard and the guys can be a bit noisy without being a bother. Although had either been debarked ahead of time it would not have altered my choice of getting them.

Give her a hello pet from us. Oh and let me beat Calliesmom to it we would love pictures of her as I bet she is a gorgeous pup.

 

[Toffee's Mom]

Welcome to the Sheltie Nation's Forum
Yes, photos be nice

It doesn't matter she's debarked, and you even said she came to you this way, so you didn't have to make that decision
Personally I would not debark my dog but I would not shun anybody who did. I learned a lot more on this Forum about it, too!

 

[dblock]

Hello from south Philly,

It doesn't matter that your dog is debarked, because as you say, he speaks to you even without the 'voice"

Anyways, it seems as if you've already bonded with your fur baby and I wish you and your wife many years of happiness

 

[tofu pup]

Hi and welcome!

My family has seven Shelties right now, all of whom are debarked ("bark-softened" is the new, politically-correct term, but honestly, it still sounds weird to me). All are happy, barky little dogs.

Their voices do sometimes change with time, as some of the tissue may grow back. We had one bitch who still had a very sharp, harsh bark that seemed to get sharper and harsher with age, and another, as an elderly dog, developed a "whistle" to her bark.

A lot of the result depends upon the vet who does the debark. The vet who we use now consistently produces debarks that are very soft and pleasant, more like a woo-woo-woo than a harsh-harsh-harsh or a shh-shh-shh (OK, now I've probably confused you!). But the technique, I am told, does affect the outcome, in terms of what you hear and, perhaps, how the sound could change over time.

 

[Petrocelli]

Oh and let me beat Calliesmom to it we would love pictures of her as I bet she is a gorgeous pup.

I would love to show you some, but I don't know how to post them. Also, given that I am a new user, I can't have an avatar.

But take my word for it, she was pick of the litter and was gorgeous! (Don't all parents think their kids are the best?)

 

[Petrocelli]

Coincidentally, right after I typed the first post, the breeder called to talk to my wife. We discussed the debarking, and she stated she normally only debarks dogs that she expects to be show dogs. From other reading, I understand that debarking show dogs is not uncommon.

 

[BarbV]

I got my Indy when he was 10 months old....he was already debarked. While he was clearly well socialized, he was a breeder's dog. I think he got limited one on one training...hence the debarking, I'm guessing.

3++ years later, his bark has come back (and now I know why he was debarked in the first place! ). My other Sheltie, Bacca is not a barker, but has been known to chime in when Indy gets going.

Would I consider debarking again? Yes. If I had run out of all other options, and only if it became an issue with my neighbours or by-law, and perhaps lose my dog as result.

Otherwise, I will continue to try to train him. Maybe someday, I can get him to not bark at everything! Only trespassers of the human kind would be nice! Not other dogs, squirrels, birds,

 

[Chris]

Welcome to Sheltie Nation! I have no issues with debarking -- many of the best breeders choose to do this because otherwise they couldn't have Shelties. Done correctly, it's no big deal -- only some humans seem to have an issue with it. I agree: enjoy your new and most precious Sheltie and his special song!