The shetland sheepdog: from livestock guardian to trials star

The shetland sheepdog is not the breed to think twice responding to a global following (despite its renowned brand of reserve), and is capable of a big heart and genuine devotion in responding to that love. But as all veteran sheltie owners know, the dog has some personality issues that need prompt training into desirable behavior by the time the dog is mature. Otherwise, both owner and pet risk incurring so much misunderstanding and miscommunication later on due to the foregone opportunities to get things ironed out. Older dogs naturally can still absorb learning, but it is less complicated skirting a problem in puppyhood compared to setting aright one later in the future.

In the same degree that they love their people, some shelties are given to a stubborn streak. The patience of owners may get tested again and again for a while as the sheltie verifies if there is really no room for gray areas. The sheltie’s smartness will also sometimes loom high as it is capable of recalling what it learned, what it has been able to pull off before, and how can it pull it off again.

Despite itself, the shetland sheepdog is not some botched breeding experiment! The dog in fact has a rich working history. Working with livestock instilled in the dog a bravery that exceeds the dog’s size, and of a bark that is worse than the bite. But in the modern home, the dog has to be trained and motivated to bark only to give warning, and not to bark for the pure sake of barking. A young sheltie will be capable of understanding the distinction.

With their high degrees of intelligence and energy, Shetland sheepdogs are easily bored, particularly if they don’t have an opportunity to be active. Moreover, they’re people dogs, and if they’re denied sheltie training, or the opportunity to spend sufficient time with those they love, they’re apt to use their famous voices to demand attention.

One of the breed’s endearing traits is its zeal nad mission to be at its master’s beck and call. A sheltie turned away or treated as a wallflower grows up to be unhappy and likely very destructive.

While Shetland Sheepdogs have a host of charming qualities that make them oft-unparalleled companions, they have two traits that may warrant a careful lifestyle-review from pet-owners. They tend to shed profusely and they bark. Before getting a Sheltie, you need to carefully check if you are willing to assume the special responsibilities associated with these.