Pros and Cons of Shelties?

[BarbV]

Originally Posted by Justme

The only Con is that they don't live as long a we do.

My boy was the perfect doggie, in every way...

Aw!!!!!!!

[mswlogo]

You can train shelties to not Bark, so much.

I bring my my dogs to work every day.

And I've been asked many times, do they ever bark !!

Yes they certainly do.

Usually they do, when they know what's coming.

Oh we are going in the car. Bark.
Oh we are going out the car. Bark.
Oh it's time to eat, Bark
Oh it's time to pee, Bark
Oh it's time to come in from pee, Bark.

Or something is unexpected. Anything out of place, especially if it moves.

But overall I don't consider our shelties excessive barkers at all. But we did have to work at, when they were pups. They hate when you squeeze their nose and say no. After just a few times of that you just have to motion it and say no. Then you just say no. We let them bark freely in many situations though. Like getting in and out the car :)

But they can't bark when I'm going into work, which is routine they would like to bark at. If they did, then they would not be allowed to come to work.

The best dog is an obedient one. In can save their lives. And allow them to go to work rather than stay home alone.

[Laurelin]

I know this is older but I had to put in my 2 cents. I have had multiples of both breeds so far. 7 papillons and 3 shelties so far. I will probably have another sheltie and I will never be without a papillon. I like both breeds but papillons have my heart.

I... don't agree much with a lot of peoples' opinions on papillons.

My paps go on hikes all the time. We go 6 miles pretty regularly and they could do more easily. We do agility. My 9 year old papillon girl goes just as hard in agility as any of the big dogs. My youngest papillon will play ball till she drops.

Papillons are NOT dogs you want to carry around in a purse! Trust me, we tried with our first. They'd much rather walk, thank you very much. They are very much 'real dogs', just small.

I find shelties a lot more sensitive in general. Some are not but a lot are. I tell people my shelties were infinitely 'nicer' dogs. Most of the paps are really sweet and friendly with everyone but I notice they can have more of an... impish streak.

Both breeds are super easy to train. I disagree with anyone that says papillons are not as smart as shelties. Paps can get a little bit more distracted I think. I think shelties focus a little easier. But I've never had a sheltie that did as much er... creative problem solving as the youngest pap.

The flip side is that I find papillons to be a lot funnier. My shelties somewhat channeled lassie and were really really good dogs... but a little bit serious for me. My papillons... um. haha.

Both breeds are velcro but papillons in my experience take that a little further. I do not leave their sight.

Papillon grooming is MUCH easier. I brush my papillons maybe once a month. Some paps have weird coats but they should have a single, easy coat. They do not blow coat like shelties do.

Shelties are sturdier, which is the main thing I miss. That 20ish lb size is perfect. My shelties were 18-35 lbs and my paps have been 6-10 lbs.

My papillons housebroke just fine. *shrug*

I see a lot of the same 'problems' in both breeds. Shy/timid dogs are not uncommon in both. Neurotic and excitable is common in both. I see a lot of both breeds with a distinct lack of drive. Just a lot of all over the place temperaments. They are both barky. Shelties get a bad rap for being obnoxious barkers but I promise you that papillons are just as bad. Shelties do have a wider range of vocalizations. Papillons just yap.

I am contemplating my next dog being another sheltie. I'm not sure though, may try another herder. I think a lot of people that like shelties will like paps, but I definitely see why some sheltie people would be annoyed by paps. I also know papillon people that can't stand shelties.