I grew up with a Shetland sheepdog but she was not well bred. She came from a puppymill type situation. Educate me on what this breed is actually supposed to be so I can see if this breed is a good fit for me or not.
I've never owned a Sheltie but have been around lots and lots and lots of them. There is a really wide range of temperaments seen in Shelties. It is pretty hard to make generalizations about what they are like because they can vary so much. They are definitely a breed which requires a lo of early socialization and early training though.
...There is a really wide range of temperaments seen in Shelties. It is pretty hard to make generalizations about what they are like because they can vary so much...
That's been my experience, too. I've met some really nice, sweet, out going Shelties, as well as shy, snippy ones. I've also met some so nasty that, as the old saying goes, I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw them. Then there's the activity level and vocalization- again, I've met Shelties at both ends of those spectrums- laid back, quiet ones, and ones that are in constant motion with a mouth that never quits.
My childhood dog was incredibly lazy and hated other dogs but she was sweet and loyal to her people (didn't acknowledge strangers). I generally like a dog with a bit more OOMF to them but she was a great dog and would've been even more wonderful with training. Everything about her was great except her laziness.
I just wanted to say I have serious sheltie withdrawals today. The classes I took were full of Aussies and shelties and there was this one dear sheltie. So beautiful and also oversized. But he and his owner were playing and he turned and did the needle nose punch and then honked. It sounded just like Trey. I miss that honking noise. I've never really noticed another breed other than shelties and collies that do that.
He's pretty awesome and so are her other two. She said his breeder doesn't breed anymore and that they didn't place dogs except for to very experienced handlers. If I could find a sheltie like hers I'd jump on that opportunity, they are all so confident, drivey, and eager.
We used to call Trey the robot dog, actually. He was just so quiet about showing his emotions. But I always attributed it to a 'Trey is not mentally all there' thing and not a breed thing.
Nikki was CERTAINLY not characterless by any means of the word, although her character was not always pleasant or good. She had a tendency to backtalk a lot. She was a bitch. She and Mia are two peas in a pod (although Mia is much more hyper). Mia and Nikki would have HATED each other. They were too much alike. Rosie was also a complete mess.
Quite a few of the agility Shelties I know are bold as brass and highly entertaining dogs, tbh.
If only we could rewind them about a century I would be all over having a Sheltie. Blame that on Laurelin and her various postings of the old style Shelties
I don't think any of mine honk... though they all make very unusual noises. Lots of wookie sounds from both the boys. Payton sings of course in a very lovely manner. I need to put it on a cue or something. We are extinguishing the singing in his crate but I just think it's so hilarious, I'd hate for him to never sing again, haha. Pepper clacks when she is excited. She also makes chipmunk-like sounds. I say she talks like Blue from Blue's Clues. Georgie makes HILARIOUS sounds. She has this really girly voice and she growls and OMG. I hope her voice never changes because it makes me want to pee myself.
And Happy had these really hysterical pathetic moan-sighs. I wish I had gotten video of it now. =<
ETA: YES OMG the sounds that first dog makes is what Auggie does all the time hahaha. It's so frickin' funny.
Okay maybe this is weird but both Kim and Webster make most of those sounds, plus a couple others for entertainment value lolol. Mira...not so much. She sticks to Normal Dog sounds. Except for the occasional excitement scream.
My brother has a sheltie. She's a yap stick. Barks when she's happy, barks when she's sad, barks within her barks, did I mention she barks?
That said I wouldn't describe her as robotic. Just focused. She also has her own things that she does for entertainment. Herding rocks is always a fun past time for her.
Okay maybe this is weird but both Kim and Webster make most of those sounds, plus a couple others for entertainment value lolol. Mira...not so much. She sticks to Normal Dog sounds. Except for the occasional excitement scream.
One sad thing about the paps is that I have never heard them howl. (Except for Nard's baying, he doesn't bark just goes 'woowoowoowooooo') The shelties you could get to do a chorus with you easily. And Nikki had songs she'd howl to as well and words she'd mimic. She didn't honk though. Trey honked all the time. It kind of sounded like 'Ow. Ow. Ow.' :lol-sign:
Payton is adorable.
Shai I would definitely not be surprised if Kim wasn't part sheltie or collie. GSDs are also talkers as well.
I will say that the paps make monkey-bird sounds very well.