Dog's Name & Age
Blue, 3 years old
In a Word, My Shetland Sheepdog Is…
Dedicated
Best Characteristics of the Breed
Clever
Most Challenging Characteristics of the Breed
Grooming and shedding
When, Where and How I Got My Shetland Sheepdog
My daughter and I got the dog from a breeder in eastern South Dakota. Our neighbor brought over a photo and phone number of a woman with whom she worked. When my daughter and I went to 'visit', she was the one who determined that 'we' needed this particular dog, and I have had him with 'me' ever since.
Blue was six months old and in need of a home, as winter was approaching and the next litter of pups was due. He was an 'intact' male and needed to find a new place to live.
I'd Describe My Dog As…
A "people" magnet. He loves people and thrives on attention. He was an 'outdoor' dog when we got him, but he was housebroken immediately. His only "accidents" in the house were truly accidents when his digestive track failed him.
He is basically well-mannered, although may jump up when excited. He generally follows basic commands and hand signals, but when he's agitated by the presence of another animal he can become difficult to manage. He is very protective of his "people."
His health is excellent, and his energy level is high.
Advice
- Be prepared for hair. Shelties have a double coat and this fellow has extremely long hair that ends up everywhere.
- Blue loves all children, but his older brother (different litter, same parents) has been known to be very aggressive toward children.
- Shelties are very individual.
- Their high level of loyalty can be both a positive (strong dedication) and a negative (aggressive toward strangers) attribute.
