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Shetland Sheepdog

BREED FAQs – SHETLAND SHEEPDOG

  1. Are Shetland Sheepdogs hypoallergenic?

Answer: No! The Shetland Sheepdogs are not hypoallergenic canines. These pooches are decent shedders and they also produce a fair amount of dander.

  1. Are Shetland Sheepdogs friendly with Kids?

Answer: Yes! Shetland Sheepdog is a wonderful breed for small kids. These pooches are highly friendly and affectionate with children of all ages and as they are immensely playful in nature, they like to play a lot of light-hearted games with kids as well. This is a great breed for those people who are looking for a fun-loving playmate for their child.

  1. Are Shetland Sheepdogs friendly with other dogs?

Answer: Yes! Most Shetland Sheepdogs are known to get along really well with other canines. These pooches are always excited to meet new dogs so that they could make new canine-friends and they are always very playful and kind to other pooches.

  1. Are Shetland Sheepdogs friendly with cats?

Answer: Yes! Shetland Sheepdogs are immensely sociable and friendly with most other household pets which include cats as well. These canines have no problem in getting along with the members of the feline family and always treat them as their friends. This is a fine option for those people who want to raise a dog and a cat at the same time in their home.

  1. Do Shetland Sheepdogs make good guard Dogs?

Answer: Shelties do not have the right amount of aggression that is required to be a decent guard dog, but they do make amazing watchdogs instead. These pooches have great protective instincts for their loved ones and they can efficiently look after their home and property. They can also alert their owners through their bark in case of an external threat that could come in the form of an intruder or trespasser.

  1. Are Shetland Sheepdogs apartment friendly?

Answer: Generally, Shelties are not considered to be a great apartment dog, but if all their exercise and work needs are properly fulfilled on a regular basis, then they can gradually learn to adjust to the apartment lifestyle.

  1. How much do Shetland Sheepdogs shed?

Answer: Shetland Sheepdogs are known to shed all around the year. These pooches already shed their fur in a decent manner but the amount of shedding can further increase during the shedding season. During that period, it becomes highly important to properly brush their coats on a frequent basis so as to control the shedding process to some extent.

  1. Are Shetland Sheepdogs good for first-time owners?

Answer: Yes! Shetland Sheepdogs are amazing first pets for the new owners. These dogs are highly loving and faithful in nature and they have an immensely friendly and gregarious personality. They also have fairly manageable exercise and grooming needs and they are pretty easy to train as well. And, that’s why the Shetland Sheepdogs are a wonderful option for first-time or novice owners.

  1. Do Shetland Sheepdogs bark a lot?

Answer: Yes! Shelties do like to bark a lot. These pooches love to express their feelings through their barking and they are known to do this quite a few times in a day. They mostly bark when they want their owners’ attention or if they want something to eat or drink from them. These pooches also tend to vocalize when they are guarding their homes and they detect something suspicious.

  1. How much exercise does a Shetland Sheepdog need daily?

Answer: A Sheltie’s exercise needs are fairly moderate. This pooch should be taken to long walks in a park or an open area where it can freely move. Morning running or jogging sessions are also quite effective for the Shelties. And as this is a highly playful breed, regular play sessions should also be included in this canine’s exercise schedule as they will keep this pooch happy and contented. If this dog remains well-exercised, it is not only good for its physical health but it is very beneficial to its mental health as well.

  1. Can Shetland Sheepdogs live alone for a long time in a day?

Answer: Shelties are people-oriented canines. These pooches always look for the company of their loved ones and they don’t like to stay away from their close ones for a long time. Hence, if these dogs are left alone for an extended period of time, then they can gradually become highly sad, frustrated and restless due to separation anxiety. This is very harmful to their mental well-being and it can also lead to the development of various destructive traits in these canines. Therefore, the Shetland Sheepdogs are definitely not the kind of dogs that you can leave all alone for a long period of time.

  1. Are Shetland Sheepdogs easy to train?

Answer: Yes! Shetland Sheepdogs are pretty easy to train. These canines are very obedient and faithful in nature and they love to follow each and every command given by their owners or someone they could trust. They always remain very agreeable and compliant during the training sessions and they are known to respond well to any kind of training exercise. This is an exceptionally fun breed to teach new things to as this canine is always very happy and excited to learn. This is a great breed for active dog owners who love to try new things like difficult tricks and games with their dogs.

  1. What are Shetland Sheepdog's grooming needs?

Answer: Shetland Sheepdogs have fairly manageable grooming needs. Their coat should be brushed 2-3 times a week so as to remove the extra loose hair from their body and avoid any matting issues. These pooches only need occasional baths (preferably once a month) to look neat and clean. Their teeth should be brushed on a regular basis so as to maintain proper dental hygiene and their nails must be trimmed whenever it is needed.

  1. What is the Shetland Sheepdog's tolerance to heat?

Answer: Shetland Sheepdogs have a decent tolerance to heat. These pooches can easily thrive in moderately warm or hot areas, but they are definitely not very suitable for extremely high-temperature regions.

  1. What is the Shetland Sheepdog's tolerance to cold?

Answer: A Sheltie’s cold tolerance is pretty awesome. Its long and dense coat protects it a lot under both hot and cold climatic conditions, but still, its resistance to cold is on another level if we compare it to its heat tolerance. This is a great canine to raise in chilly and wintry places.

  1. Is Shetland Sheepdog an intelligent dog breed?

Answer: Yes! Shetland Sheepdogs are extremely intelligent canines. They have amazing learning, problem-solving and decision-making skills and they are mostly placed at #06 spot in the “list of most intelligent canine breeds in this whole world” that features hundreds of distinct dog breeds from all around the globe.

  1. Is Shetland Sheepdog stranger friendly?

Answer: Shelties are a bit shy and reserved with strangers. They take their time before they start trusting someone new. Early Socialization is very important for the Shetland Sheepdogs so as to become a bit more comfortable around strangers.

  1. Do Shetland Sheepdogs drool a lot?

Answer: No! Shelties do not drool a lot. They only drool in a heavy manner when they are excited or after drinking/eating something, but apart from that, they don’t drool all that much.

  1. Are Shetland Sheepdogs expensive and high maintenance dogs?

Answer: The total cost of bringing a Shetland Sheepdog home and then properly maintaining it is usually on the higher side. But their maintenance needs are not as high they seem. These pooches are not that hard to train, they have reasonable grooming and exercise needs and they are very obedient and loyal in nature. And because of all these reasons, Shetland Sheepdogs are not considered a high-maintenance breed.

  1. Are Shetland Sheepdogs easily available in India?

Answer: Shetland Sheepdogs have a below-average availability in India. These pooches are available in some of the better-known cities like Delhi, Mumbai et cetera, but when it comes most of the smaller regions of India, it's still pretty hard to find a Sheltie in those areas.

  1. What is the avg price of a Shetland Sheepdog puppy in India?

Answer: The average price of a Shetland Sheepdog puppy in India is around ₹30,000 to ₹40,000. But there are a lot of factors that affect their price in the country and because of that, the cost of bringing a Shetland Sheepdog puppy home can go fairly high.

  1. Do Shetland Sheepdogs like to swim?

Answer: It is widely believed that most Shelties are not so keen on the water. But this is also true if these canines are properly trained to swim, then they can gradually develop a liking for swimming or water in general. These canines are quick learners as well, hence it would not take a lot of time to teach them how to swim properly and have fun in the water.

  1. What Colors do Shetland Sheepdogs Come In?

Answer: Shelties are mostly found in the following color combinations that are listed below:

  • Sable and White
  • Sable Merle and White
  • Black and White
  • Black and Gold
  • Black White and Tan
  • Blue Merle and White
  • Blue Merle White and Tan
  1. What is a Shetland Sheepdog’s lifespan?

Answer: Shetland Sheepdogs have a decent lifespan of about 12-14 years. But if they are consistently given proper care, nutrition, exercise, and protection, then some of these canines can even live longer than 14 years of age.

  1. What are the most common health issues for the Shetland Sheepdogs?

Answer: Most common health problems found in the Shetland Sheepdogs are Hip Dysplasia, Dermatomyositis, Eye Diseases, Von Willebrand’s Disease, Gallbladder Mucoceles, and Epilepsy.