Is a Sheltie Right for Me?

What is it about a Shetland sheepdog that makes people fall hopelessly in love with them? Some become attracted to their upbeat personality still others just fall for their natural beauty.  A sheltie as they are called can be a wonderful pet when paired with the right owner. These dogs have unique personalities and demand a lot of attention from their owner.

So if you’re wondering if a Sheltie is the perfect dog for you then please keep reading…

In addition to lots of attention, they require a lot of exercise. Shelties are bred to work and lack of exercise they can lead to depression and destructive behavior. If you live in an apartment at least two walks each day and a trip to the park every weekend is the minimum recommendation.

Shelties want to be around you always so they cannot be outside dogs. They are happiest when surrounded by their family members. A sheltie will not be ignored. It will demand attention. Many times when I am working or watching TV Hogan will nudge my hand or drop a toy into my lap. He will not stop until he gets a pat on the head or a quick game of fetch.

However as demanding he can be he is aware of the times when we cannot be interrupted and will wait patiently for a good opportunity to ask for some attention. Shelties should not be hyper dogs, just high energy. They will also calm some as they mature.

Shelties are a double coated breed. This means that they have a tendency to shed a lot. Daily brushing will help, but if you cannot tolerate dog hair do not get a sheltie. Shelties will also go through a period of heavy shedding twice each year. This is called blowing coat.

Shelties also have a reputation for barking a lot. They are sensitive to their surroundings and if something is not right they will let you know. We have never had a barking problem with Hogan. We don’t know why this is. It seems to be a part of his personality.

If you live in an apartment and cannot have a noisy dog you should probably look for a quieter breed. Obedience classes can also offer a good solution for constant barking.