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The Shetland Sheepdog is affectionately nicknamed the Sheltie. It is a sheepdog as it descended from the breed specially trained to herd sheep. The modern Sheltie is now cultivated to be a pet and show dog. Shelties look like Collies. However, the Shelties are derived from a different family of dogs that are smaller than the Collies.
Your Sheltie is a sensitive dog that is hurt by scolding and ill treatment. This intelligent dog actually loves its human master. It is easy to train as it wants to please you. The Sheltie's love for humans does not extend to all. It barks at strangers but lacks the mettle to be a guard dog. It misses human companionship so much that it will bark excessively when left alone for a long period of time. The Sheltie's gentle demeanor makes it a good pet for children.
Your Sheltie has 2 coats. Brush your dog's coat once weekly. When it starts to shed annually, you need to brush daily during that time to remove all the dead hairs. This also keeps your pet clean and removes that doggy smell. The dead hairs will not be there to form mats with the new hairs.
Other weekly maintenance grooming includes checking toenails, trimming hair between feet pads and brushing its teeth. Long toenails cause pain and difficulty in walking. Trim the hair between pads to prevent formation of mats. Needless to say, dental and oral hygiene are also very important. Besides brushing its teeth, get the special chewing toys which act as dental cleaners. Your Sheltie can spend pleasurable time chewing without getting bored with loneliness.
As your Sheltie is an intelligent dog, it needs physical as well as mental stimulation. You need to exercise it and play games with it to keep it happy.
Send your Sheltie to a puppy training class to learn to socialize with other people and dogs. This exposure will help it to adapt to different situations. Always treat your Sheltie gently and avoid harsh reprimands to prevent adversely affecting it.
When you buy your Sheltie pup, have it vaccinated before its exposure to other animals. Like all dogs, your pet also needs a regular schedule for checkups. Hereditary illnesses are the eye and hip problems. Check your breeder's certificates for the Sheltie's screening certificates for the eye and hip registries. A healthy a Sheltie will greet you positively. Find out more from other Sheltie owners and breeders before making your purchase.
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