are shelties good first pets to have? and what are the good points about them? i am thinking about a female and i wanted to know about them. :-)
2006-11-04 15:04:16 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
"The Shetland Sheepdog is an outstanding companion dog with a delightful temperament. Gentle, sensitive, loyal and dainty. Very lively, intelligent and trainable. The Shetland Sheepdog is one to the smartest breeds, very willing to please and obey. These dogs are so smart that many fanciers consider them to have almost human intelligence. Loving, loyal and affectionate with its family, but suspicious with strangers, especially with children, but they will put up with a lot from children in the family. The Sheltie is known to not allow themselves to be touched by strangers and will display noisy persistent barking. It is a good guard and watchdog. Socialize extensively as a puppy. This breed needs people and must be raised in a home where he can have a lot of companionship. They like to be kept busy. The Sheltie is above all an intelligent herder, capable both of commanding large cattle and holding small sheep in check. The herding instinct is still very strong in many of them. They love to chase things. Unfortunately - and often disastrously - they love to chase cars. A Sheltie should not be allowed to run free near a road as it may decide to chase a car or something else it sees across the road, running a high risk of getting hit by a car. Because of its beauty and kindness, the Sheltie has become a popular companion dog. This breed may bark a lot. Some say males make better and more affectionate pets."
2006-11-04 15:05:51 · answer #1 · answered by Pepper 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had two shelties over my life, from the time I was 2yrs old to now...age 22.
I love shelties, they are very loyal, compasionate, and are very smart. Our dogs have always stayed by our side where ever we have gone, they are alert and will bark at an unknown person or object, and they love to greet their master when they get home.
If you do decide to get a sheltie, I must warn you that they do shed a lot. You will need to keep up on their brushing at least once a week.
Shelties weigh between 15-30lbs, they are smaller dogs, but not too small where someone will step on them.
As far as them being very smart, they learn very quickly. If you keep up with the training within a month they will understand what the command is (of course being rewarded with a treat).
They are hearding animals, so if one person leaves the room, they might try to get that person back in the room where everyone else is sitting. They are great with kids. I suggest getting a puppy when your child is young, then the two can grow together and build a relationship. I have only owned one at a time, so I dont know how they react with other dogs, especially if they are older.
If you would like you could e-mail me and I will personally give you information about the shelties that I have owned. Good luck with everything and best of luck
2006-11-04 15:20:42 · answer #2 · answered by ridingis4life 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes shelties are great dogs to have. I have a 7 lb female black and white shelty. she is the nicest and most loyal dog i have ever had. The breed has good agility to them. they are very loving. my best friend has one to and her is smart. they are easy to train and easy to potty train. At the age 12 weeks old i taught mine to sit,lay down and to play dead. I have had many different breeds of dogs but will never get another breed other than a shelty. the best dogs in the world.
2006-11-04 15:12:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had a sheltie and she was the best darned doggie i ever had! they are very intelligent, very protective, love children and highly loyal. the only thing i couldn't teach her was not to bark incessantly when she was outside but when she did she had to come in and always gave me one last grumpy whoof under her breath. i highly reccomend this as a first time pet...you will fall in love!
2006-11-04 15:09:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure, Sheltis are wonderful dogs, the third smartest contained in the international, and the most domesticated sheepdog. as long as you do not have too many human beings preventing by technique of your abode daily, and do not stay close to too many those who have a dogs larger than it, they are suitable
2016-11-28 19:10:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great dogs!!! the only two drawbacks is that they like (love is more like it) to bark...and they have to be brushed daily (or so) because of the shedding!
A friend had two and they loved the twin girls that the couple had a few yrs later!
Good Luck!
2006-11-04 15:15:39 · answer #6 · answered by Suzie Q 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES YES YES YES YES! best dogs ever! nervous of strangers but brilliant with the family- very loyal... they tend to love their owner and family and be wary- but not in any way nasty of other people. can be yappy but easily trainable. very very cute. I have had many and have 2 now!!!
2006-11-04 23:50:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love them! I have one of them of my own. They are very cuddley. Beware of the bark.
2006-11-04 15:06:47 · answer #8 · answered by Kat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Downside...they can be nervous and they BARK..sometimes a LOT.
2006-11-04 16:28:48 · answer #9 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋