Alice White
Shetland Sheepdogs are cute shepherd dogs that have their pros and cons of the breed. There are several theories regarding the origin of these dogs, but they all agree that the four-legged shepherds of the sheep herds of the Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland were present in the ancestors of this exceptionally cute breed. Before reaching their modern appearance, the Shetland Sheepdogs also underwent deliberate selection in order to improve the exterior, but, fortunately, it did not have a negative effect on their mind, character, health, and other important parameters.
So, let’s look at what Shetland Sheepdogs are attractive and what are their weaknesses.
Character
As for the intelligence and character of the Sheltie, the minuses and pluses of the breed are directly related to their origin. Dogs of this breed are playful and friendly, emotionally attached to people, therefore they are good companions for adults and children.
The Shetland Sheepdog is one of the Top 10 most loyal dogs in the world. It is the ideal pupil to compete in training competitions.
In addition to exceptional dedication and high trainability, the Shetland Sheepdogs:
- loving;
- affectionate;
- calm;
- vigilant;
- smart;
- friendly.
The breed is very talkative, but with the help of a couple of forbidding exercises, this can be stopped. They treat strangers with caution and will always warn about strangers on the way to the house. Shetland Sheepdog is a very active dog and needs constant attention.
Shetland Sheepdog: The characteristic of the breed contains a constant need to be a full-fledged member of the family. From the tips of the ears to the tip of the tail, it is a family dog, enthusiastic and sociable, getting along well with children. Shetland Sheepdog has an exceptional nose, so she can easily find lost items. You should not offend the dog, because, in addition to the phenomenal scent, it also has an excellent memory, which is why these dogs will not follow commands simply out of a desire to annoy you. In their training, the most important thing is the reward system.
Care and maintenance
Caring for the Shetland Sheepdog is largely determined by the properties of the luxurious wool. It requires increased attention, otherwise, it can roll, crumple and turn into a felt boot. Shetland Sheepdogs are usually combed out once a week or two before bathing regularly. In the warm season or just in hot climates, as well as in seasonal molting, the dog is washed and combed more often, getting rid of dead hair. Shetland Sheepdog is very clean and takes care of her appearance herself – she licks herself like a cat.
It is categorically impossible to cut them since the hormonal balance is disturbed during a haircut. Claws are cut once a month. And since the Shetland Sheepdogs are very fond of splashing, the shower can become a daily routine for the dog; with shampoo, the dog should be bathed no more than once a month. At a young age, the puppy is vaccinated against distemper and other serious diseases, and then they have repeated annually.
How many shelties live? With proper care and feeding, they delight the owner for the longest possible period – about 15 years. Food. What to feed the sheltie with? Professional breeders answer this question simply – everyone! For a puppy, complementary foods are important, since up to 1.5 months, Shetland Sheepdogs feed exclusively on mother’s milk. Rice and millet porridge are boiled for the grown-up puppy in the water, next to the porridge there must be bowls of water and milk.
After reaching 4-5 months, you can start adding meat to the porridge. Subsequently, an adult pet is fed twice a day with either natural food or dry food.
Pros
- a great family friend;
- easy to train;
- playful and friendly, emotionally attached to people
- has a keen sense of smell;
- good companions for adults and children;
- sociability is expressed in the willingness to follow the owner, participate in games and walks, express emotions with sounds and body movements;
- you can and should be kept in an apartment;
- keeps up with people with an active lifestyle.
Cons
- an unreliable security guard (leaving a child on the street with him is unsafe);
- complex hair care;
- not suitable for people who like a passive lifestyle;
- susceptibility to a large number of diseases
