Are Shelties good with kids?

Question

I have an 18 month old daughter and am thinking about adopting a Sheltie puppy... does anyone have any experience with this?

Answer 1

Hold it! Hold it!

Please wait until your daughter is at least school age before getting any dog. Please wait.

Toddlers will often, unknowingly of course, torment a dog into nipping - which is still biting. The children don't really know any better - they're just being children. But the dog doesn't have hands to push an annoying child away - so they nip - which is unacceptable behavior.

Don't set the dog up to fail, please.

Wait until your daughter is in school first will go a long way towards eliminating the nipping problem many dogs (shelties included) develop around children.

Then, when you're ready for a dog - most certainly shelties are excellent family pets. But understand that YOU are the one who is responsible for the dog's every need - which is why I ask you to wait until your daughter is older - the puppy will need a lot more time than you think.

Then consider adoption - forget all that baloney about children and puppies growing up together. Dogs grow up faster than children.

Answer 2

Okay, it is a very special thing for any child to experience having a dog when they are younger, like 1 or 2. But you have to get the right kind of dog, instead of a sheltie maybe you should try a collie first, they are like shelties in more ways than one. Or you can do some more research. But if your heart is set on getting a sheltie than you can go to all the local shelters, and or breeders untill you know it's the best fit for you and your daughter. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Are Shelties Good Dogs

Answer 4

Yes, shelties can be wonderful with kids, as long as the kids are good with the sheltie. One thing that shelties do tend to do with children is herd them. They use their voices to control 'stock', and will do their level best to keep your kids in the 'flock' or living room, or whereever. I have over 20 years experience with shelties and will be glad to answer any other questions you might have as far as finding a reputable source for your sheltie. Just check out my profile for e-mail. Good luck!


FYI added: There are NO such thing as 'miniature collies'. Shetland sheepdogs are a totally seperate breed developed on the Shetland Islands.

Answer 5

Things about Shelties- There are energetic Shelties, and placid Shelties.
Hard-headed Shelties, and sweet-natured Shelties.
Serious Shelties, and good-natured goofballs.
Introverted Shelties, and Shelties who love everyone... http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/shelties.html Hint Hint

Answer 6

Yes they are ,my friend has a sheltie and she also has a 1 year old daughter and the dog is so good with the kid like i have never seen the dog bite or bark at the girl all that i can tell you they are great with kids you shouldnt de worried

Answer 7

Shelties are the greatest. The only advice I can offer that has not already been offered is be careful in adopting. My Shelties were not raised around children and did not like children. They weren't really agressive towards them but just did not like them. Make sure the Sheltie you adopt was raised around children and is use to the fast movements that children can make.

Answer 8

I grew up with Shelties and I can tell you they are GREAT with kids!!! They are wonderful and very intelligent. My brother (who is now also an adult) loved growing up with them so much he now owes 3!!! They are like potato chips I guess! Can't just have one :)

When I was just 18 months old my beloved Sheltie, Sidney (who we had to euthanize at 13 due to a brain tumor), carried me by my shirt out of the house when our smoke detectors were going off (no fire, my mom was cooking! haha). He also slept under my crib each night and would bother my mom whenever I cried. Very sweet!! He was like my big brother!!

Now, my parents still have two of their Shelties (Norman- 14 years and Cody- 11 years) who are just the most devoted and loving guys!! Shelties seem to have a strong intuition when it came to feelings and emotions.

OH! And they would always try to herd my brother and me!! It was really a riot :) We also had Border Collies, so they were into herding, as well.

The only negative would be the excessive barking!!! Shelties were bred to be independent thinkers to be left in the field with goats, sheeps, etc., so like other members of the herding group... they are quite vocal. They can easily be trained to not be so talkative, but you will have to start at a young age. They are very willing to please their humans!!

Hope this helps!!! Thank you for considering adoption!! So many pups need homes!!

Feel free to contact!

Answer 9

Yes, Shelties are the best! I grew up with them and have one now. She loves kids. They are the sweetest dogs. You won't be sorry. Just remember they are a herding breed so the pup/dog may want to herd your daughter around. They are very protective of their family. They have a lot of love to go around! Best of luck;~)

Answer 10

Shelties are amazing dogs, i have one myself, and he is amazing. However to depend on whether they are good or not with kids is dependent on how you or the previous owner brought the dog up. for example mine is lovable able but will let you know when your being too affectionate by growling or making a snapping noise with his teeth but he will not bite... Because we brought him up that way. the groomer we bought him from said he fell down her stair because they were hard wood, and he will not go up mines because they are hard wood and slippery. So his choice not to go up was determined the same way as if he would be a mean or nice dog...