Pros and Cons of Shelties?
- Thread starter Analeyn
- Start date
I don't know much about Paps, but personally I don't think there are too many cons to a Sheltie. They are perfect dogs for me! 
I would suggest trying to spend time with a Sheltie and a Pap. Preferably a grown dog. I have heard that Paps are more cuddly? Someone on this forum used to have a Pap. I think Shelties are smarter. Obviously they are bigger.
I would suggest trying to spend time with a Sheltie and a Pap. Preferably a grown dog. I have heard that Paps are more cuddly? Someone on this forum used to have a Pap. I think Shelties are smarter. Obviously they are bigger.
Toffee's Mom
Forums Sage
there are Cons to Shelties? lol 
Kidding
Toffee's best buddy is a Friend's Pap--they get along well... says a lot, since Mr T doesn't normally like other dogs all that much
Pap -- tough to housebreak, really tough
Sheltie--barking and herding (=chasing) behaviours, if not addressed or tolerated can drive ya crazy
Kidding
Toffee's best buddy is a Friend's Pap--they get along well... says a lot, since Mr T doesn't normally like other dogs all that much
Pap -- tough to housebreak, really tough
Sheltie--barking and herding (=chasing) behaviours, if not addressed or tolerated can drive ya crazy
corbinam
Moderator
I can only speak to shelties...(and of course, these are generalizations)
Pros:
--Beautiful!
--Intelligent, inquisitive, and eager to learn
--Affectionate (though each in their own way)
--Energetic, but with an off switch
--Conversation-starters (everyone stops me when I'm with my dogs!)
--Sensitive
--Fun (they want to be with you and play with you)
Cons:
--Barkers
--Herders (and thus can be unpredictable off leash)
--Excitable when not exercised properly
--Neurotic when not properly trained
Pros:
--Beautiful!
--Intelligent, inquisitive, and eager to learn
--Affectionate (though each in their own way)
--Energetic, but with an off switch
--Conversation-starters (everyone stops me when I'm with my dogs!)
--Sensitive
--Fun (they want to be with you and play with you)
Cons:
--Barkers
--Herders (and thus can be unpredictable off leash)
--Excitable when not exercised properly
--Neurotic when not properly trained
As I said before, I might get a dog so I've narrowed down the best breeds for me. They're the Papillon and Sheltie (and boy is this hard!). So I wanted to know the pros and cons. Hopefully, I will end up with a dog! Thanks in advance!
So you can ask yourself these questions~Based on an article by Trini Gilmore
1. Shelties are very verbal.
2. Shelties are reserved by nature and early socialization is needed to keep
them from being shy.
3. Shelties are extremely loyal either to one person or one family.
4. Shelties are sound sensitive and sound reactive.
5. Shelties will chase (in attempt to herd) anything that moves.
6. Shelties are very bright and need to be given something to occupy their
mind and bodies. Many will invent a "job" if they are not given one.
7. Shelties do not like to spend time away from their people. A Sheltie that
is left alone all day is usually not a very happy little dog.
8. Shelties are an emotional breed. They are very sensitive to the moods of
their people. They do best in a home where gentleness is the way of life.
9. Shelties are an active breed and need exercise everyday. They need more
than a 10-minute walk around the block.
10. Shelties need regular biweekly (minimum) grooming and they shed
extensively.
If someone is looking for a very laid back, not particularly sensitive,
doesn't really care if you are coming or going, low maintenance, average
intelligence dog…they would find the Sheltie exasperating, to say the least.
Shelties demand to be an integral part of the family to which they belong.
They stick their noses into everyone's business and feel compelled to make
comments on their observations.
They will follow their person to the corner of the earth and ALWAYS into the
bathroom.
They consider you leaving them behind as an aberration of proper behavior
and will voice their disapproval…loud and long…often accompanied by frantic
twirling and jumping.
They are selective as to which of your friends is worthy of their affection,
and which are to be observed from a distance, before a verdict is rendered.
They will steal FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD, right out of the mouths of babes, and
show no shame.
They will give chase, if not properly restrained, to any and all moving
objects.
They will sense your every mood and will be happy and sad along with you.
They love attention and they love to learn.
In short, they demand nothing less than being a FULL member of your family…
they do not consider themselves mere dogs (banish the thought!).
So if you are considering bringing a Sheltie or, Shelties, into your family,
be prepared to spend a lot of time, energy and love on this new member…for
that is what they need. In return they will give you some of the most
wonderful moments of your life, and memories you will cherish forever.
That pretty much covers it~ Good Luck
i dont know anything about paps, and we have only had our one sheltie Gizmo, so ill just give my opinion based on him. he is the perfect size! but he is on the small end, even for shelties. he only weighs 12lbs, so i can very easily pick him up and carry him around with one hand, or under my arm. now that he is maturing (he will be 2 in Feb) he will actually sit and cuddle with us on the couch, and loves to be scratched and give kisses (and actually loves to groom my husband 
). he is very sensitive, and does not like really loud noises. we have taken him to my family's house and he does not do very well there because they are very loud; loud music, loud tv, lots of yelling. and he just doesnt deal with it very well. he LLOOOOOVES our daughter, who it just over 2.5yrs old. loves to follow her around and give kisses. one of my little brothers likes to take her off and play, and gizmo goes nuts because he wants to stay close to alexa. we got him at 6 months old, our daughter was 18 months old, and she was the first little kid he had ever been around, and he has loved her since day 1. he also really likes my nephew that is severely autistic. like the others have mentioned, they do need socialized, which is one area we have struggled with. there just arent really many dogs in our area, and no dog park we can take him too. so he hasnt been socialized like he needs to be. though just a few months ago, we brought home a great pyrenees puppy, and boy do they play!!! normally pyrs are very laid back and not very high energy but i think she feeds off of him. but they do great together, even though she is soooo much bigger then he is (she is 6 months old and about 55lbs now). as far as energy, i tell people he is like an ADHD 2 yr old on a sugar rush 
or like the energizer bunny on mega steroids. until we got our pyr puppy, we had never actually been able to wear him out. but they play really hard, so he will actually plop on the couch and rest now. he is totally a mega food hound!!!! he will literally take the food out of our daughter's mouth if we let him . there was one time we took him to my inlaws and my fil was on the couch with a bowl of cereal. well as soon as he saw it, gizmo flew across the room and snagged what was on the spoon just before my fil put it in his mouth! 
i have been working with him on impulse control, and when we are actually working on it, he does really good with it. it just hasnt clicked outside of the training session quite yet. he also LOOOVES to chase anything and everything that moves! still working on the no chasing cars or skate boards or runners or bikers etc etc etc. he loves to chase/herd my nephews around the yard at my in laws. he can be barky when he is really really excited, but most of the time its not to bad. hope this helps
). he is very sensitive, and does not like really loud noises. we have taken him to my family's house and he does not do very well there because they are very loud; loud music, loud tv, lots of yelling. and he just doesnt deal with it very well. he LLOOOOOVES our daughter, who it just over 2.5yrs old. loves to follow her around and give kisses. one of my little brothers likes to take her off and play, and gizmo goes nuts because he wants to stay close to alexa. we got him at 6 months old, our daughter was 18 months old, and she was the first little kid he had ever been around, and he has loved her since day 1. he also really likes my nephew that is severely autistic. like the others have mentioned, they do need socialized, which is one area we have struggled with. there just arent really many dogs in our area, and no dog park we can take him too. so he hasnt been socialized like he needs to be. though just a few months ago, we brought home a great pyrenees puppy, and boy do they play!!! normally pyrs are very laid back and not very high energy but i think she feeds off of him. but they do great together, even though she is soooo much bigger then he is (she is 6 months old and about 55lbs now). as far as energy, i tell people he is like an ADHD 2 yr old on a sugar rush or like the energizer bunny on mega steroids. until we got our pyr puppy, we had never actually been able to wear him out. but they play really hard, so he will actually plop on the couch and rest now. he is totally a mega food hound!!!! he will literally take the food out of our daughter's mouth if we let him . there was one time we took him to my inlaws and my fil was on the couch with a bowl of cereal. well as soon as he saw it, gizmo flew across the room and snagged what was on the spoon just before my fil put it in his mouth! i have been working with him on impulse control, and when we are actually working on it, he does really good with it. it just hasnt clicked outside of the training session quite yet. he also LOOOVES to chase anything and everything that moves! still working on the no chasing cars or skate boards or runners or bikers etc etc etc. he loves to chase/herd my nephews around the yard at my in laws. he can be barky when he is really really excited, but most of the time its not to bad. hope this helps
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Too me, if really depends on what you want in a dog.
Both Paps and Shelties are super-smart and super trainable. Both are barkers and sometimes neurotic. Both require regular grooming.
Paps are super-agile, as are Shelties. I think a Sheltie has more long term endurance though. I think a Pap has big energy boosts and then must crash for to regroup.
Both are super-cute. Both super loyal. Both smart.
So what are the differences.....hmmm!
My pet store groomer has a Pap, and I envy her bringing Toby into the store every day. He weighs all of 10 lbs so its super easy for her to bring him in. I rarely bring my dogs to the store, because frankly shleping to 30 lb dogs every day is just a hassle.
That being said, a Pap is a small dog with a big dog personality. They can get pretty nippy and vicious and sometimes aggressive if not properly controlled. I've had to watch my groomers dog a few times.
Shelties tend to more controlled, if aloof, and rarely are aggressive. I would be cautious with young kids with a Pap, simply because I don't think they would take well to being dragged around.
I know some Shelties can be that way too, but I personally don't think its the norm, particularly if they are raised with kids.
It's a tough choice, and struggled with it myself after my forever pup died 4.5 years ago. I looked at a Pap, but decided Shelties were my breed and I would stick with them.
I would still love a Pap....they truly are fun! Have I confused the heck out of you!
Both Paps and Shelties are super-smart and super trainable. Both are barkers and sometimes neurotic. Both require regular grooming.
Paps are super-agile, as are Shelties. I think a Sheltie has more long term endurance though. I think a Pap has big energy boosts and then must crash for to regroup.
Both are super-cute. Both super loyal. Both smart.
So what are the differences.....hmmm!
My pet store groomer has a Pap, and I envy her bringing Toby into the store every day. He weighs all of 10 lbs so its super easy for her to bring him in. I rarely bring my dogs to the store, because frankly shleping to 30 lb dogs every day is just a hassle.
That being said, a Pap is a small dog with a big dog personality. They can get pretty nippy and vicious and sometimes aggressive if not properly controlled. I've had to watch my groomers dog a few times.
Shelties tend to more controlled, if aloof, and rarely are aggressive. I would be cautious with young kids with a Pap, simply because I don't think they would take well to being dragged around.
I know some Shelties can be that way too, but I personally don't think its the norm, particularly if they are raised with kids.
It's a tough choice, and struggled with it myself after my forever pup died 4.5 years ago. I looked at a Pap, but decided Shelties were my breed and I would stick with them.
I would still love a Pap....they truly are fun! Have I confused the heck out of you!
Then there's the obvious. Paps are easier to groom and have less hair to throw around your house when they hear you are going to have surprise visitors!!! They can be pretty easy to "break" too but having said that my son, the jock that plays football and does motocross, had a chihuahua that weighed just over 2 pounds that he adored, was super social with kids and played with my daughter's shelties. However he did find it hard to get daycare for her because of her size.
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