is a Shetland Sheepdog a good dog to own?

Answer 1

I am very happily owned by 10 shelties!! I have 6 adults and 4 puppies. I breed, show in conformation, do obedience, rally, agility, and herding. I love them. Many people who have them will agree - they are not just pets, they are soul mates!!
A good brushing about once per week is all they need. Other than my show dogs (Honey, Aaron, Mooney, and Hope), I only bathe them about once every 6 months. The coat type that they have is course on the top layer and when they get muddy, when I let them dry, a good brushing will make them shiny and clean.
They come in many colors. Most people are familiar with the sable and white (brown and white) but there is also the tri color (black body with tan and white points), the bi-black (black and white - the origional color), and merle. (Merle just takes the dominate color - black in a tri or bi-black or brown in the sable) and merles - splotches - it.) You can find out lots at www.assa.org. You can go to my website www.summerlandhillsshelties.com.
Shelties were bred on the islands north of Scotland as an all round farm dog and herding dog. They have to be able to climb up and down rocky hills (this is where the agility comes in), herd sheep (and anything else that moves), warn the farmer (crofter) of strangers (barking) and keep birds from the garden and the fish catch (I have a female - Kisses - who herds airplanes across the yard).
They are bright, happy, loving, and loyal. They are shy of strangers so you will have to socialize (oh, darn - you have to go to the park, petsmart, and Brewster to get ice cream!!). If you have any more questions, I would be happy to help. I can also get you in touch with a breeder or sheltie rescue in your area if you would like.
And by the way... I live in the south and today it is 100 degrees... I will simply let them out to play in the evening when it is a bit cooler but since they are not left out 24/7 then there is really no problem with the heat. I have a friend who leaves his out to play in a secured area all night in the summer and they sleep in a room with the a/c in the day time.

Answer 2

Yes, Sheltis are excellent dogs, the 3rd smartest in the world, and the most domesticated sheepdog. As long as you don't have too many people stopping by your house every day, and don't live near too many people that have a dog bigger than it, they are ideal

Answer 3

I have a friend who has one. For her, the dog was easy to train and great with kids. Her dog doesn't appear to need a lot of grooming either - just occasional brushing and bathing. Very mellow dog.

Answer 4

i imagine all sheepdogs are between the neatest breeds. I surely have an Aussie shepherd mix myself, and at 2 months previous she has already discovered a lot of her elementary obedience. i have in no way owned a better actual trainable canine. the first answer stated border collies, which for sure are also noticeably intelligent, and statistically the neatest. Shelties, despite the indisputable fact that, being sheepdogs, have were given to be up there.

Answer 5

i had one when i was a little girl... her name was foxy and she lived almost 20 years before we put her down... the breed is wonderful with children and other animals... very sweet, very playful, very active... (not crazy active like a jack russell though)they are bred to heard, so heads up... my dog always ran circles around anything with wheels (minus cars!)... bicycles, wagons, scooters, the lawn mower! very little health problems (that don't come with age!) anyway, i am rambling! sorry! to answer your question, YES!!!!

Answer 6

Need lots of grooming - eat lots of food - problems in hot climates

Answer 7

very good dogs and alot of grooming but and be good herd dogs if trained right. good luck with one

Answer 8

Yes, I think that they are. They are very sweet dogs.