petcarefun.info

August 31st, 2009 by KittyKitty

If the sheltie’s beauty is what transforms people into admirers, then the Sheltie personality is what makes them into fans! This breed’s mission in life seems to be to please its owner. This not-too-small goal impels it to excel in a variety of outdoor activities, from obedience to agility to herding. A strong sense of dedication and loyalty is also ingrained in the dog, and nothing makes the untrained, unprepared sheltie suffer more than seeing its family members leave home.

Any would-be sheltie owner, or current owner of a sheltie puppy, will need to work on two main issues that affect the personality of all shetland sheep dogs. First shelties are known for being aloof and detached from strangers and visitors outside its family circle. But this can actually be to the advantage of many a household looking for a promising watchdog.

The second issue, however, may demand more attention from all family members who can help. Many shelties, deprived of adequate sheltie training, end up developing the vice of wanton and excessive barking. While this is rooted in the early sheltie’s guarding instinct, the the sheltie may not make a good pet for you if what you rather prefer is a breed that will always be your silent companion that is stingy with its barks.

How does the modern sheltie related with kids? Here, the sheltie is quite content playing with children, or looking after them. But experts recommend not placing shelties in homes with children that are still five years old or older. The reason for this is that children can be very capable of a physical retaliation when they feel jealous even of a dog. Another reason is that the children may not intend to the dog, but plays rough with the dog.

Indeed the dog breed is very active at heart, and essentially deteriorate if made to settle for sedentary lifestyles. There is no problem with the living conditions of the sheltie, since it is comfortable with anything from a condominium unit, to a farm, and anything in between. But the curiously small-bodied dog simply needs a daily outlet for all their pent-up energy. The ideal situation for these dogs is that they can move freely and even run around in a fenced yard; otherwise, they must at least be taken on walks everyday.In any case, consulting a professional that is into training shelties is sometimes the best investment.

Despite appearances, the sheltie is not demanding when it comes to personal care. It is quite comfortable with a thorough brushing once a week, occasional baths, and regular nail and dental care. But even this weekly brushing must not be ignored, since a sheltie that is neglected sticks out like a sore thumb.

To end, picking the right sheltie for your household is a lot more of a challenge than you may think. When it comes to dogs, the worst thing any would-be dog owner could do is to just settle for the friendliest, or the smallest, or the most quiet, etc. Instead, what you would do of course is to pick a dog that fits into your home’s family (or pack) situation. When you seek out the services of a seasoned breeder, s/he will ask many questions in order to make the best possible match to your particular needs. That is why nothing beats being in touch with a reliable and known dog breeder.