Choosing Sheltie litter-mates or not?

[rosesandlace]

My 2 Shelties, Brandi & Brady, are litter mates.We got them at 8 weeks old and had never had 2 puppies at one time before. Our breeder suggested that we separate them in 2 different areas of the house from time to time and this has worked well for us. They have slept in different bedrooms from their very first night and often go to different rooms during the day to snooze. Training was a bit of a challenge but, in honesty, we had a bigger challenge with our first Sheltie 17 years ago because she was a little older when we got her.

They get along famously and love to play chase and zoomies together. The only thing we have to be careful about is making sure they both get equal affection when they are together with one us ...as the one not getting the attention gets a bit depressed looking - so we make sure they know they are loved equally.

As for barking, yes 2 dogs will bark more than one ...we got used to it though and do our best to contain it quickly. There are times though ...like when the furnace repair man is in the house ...they are just going to bark until he is gone.

Having 2 requires more commitment from a family but can be double the pleasure for the most part ...and we have no regrets!

[seashel]

Originally Posted by rosesandlace

My 2 Shelties, Brandi & Brady, are litter mates.We got them at 8 weeks old and had never had 2 puppies at one time before. Our breeder suggested that we separate them in 2 different areas of the house from time to time and this has worked well for us. They have slept in different bedrooms from their very first night and often go to different rooms during the day to snooze. Training was a bit of a challenge but, in honesty, we had a bigger challenge with our first Sheltie 17 years ago because she was a little older when we got her.

They get along famously and love to play chase and zoomies together. The only thing we have to be careful about is making sure they both get equal affection when they are together with one us ...as the one not getting the attention gets a bit depressed looking - so we make sure they know they are loved equally.

As for barking, yes 2 dogs will bark more than one ...we got used to it though and do our best to contain it quickly. There are times though ...like when the furnace repair man is in the house ...they are just going to bark until he is gone.

Having 2 requires more commitment from a family but can be double the pleasure for the most part ...and we have no regrets!

I think you are experienced owners though? That does make a difference. Breeders occasionally run on or keep two littermates, I know someone who kept all three from a litter !! If you have previous knowledge of the breed/training etc and take precautions (like seperating them) then it's not impossible but for a novice owner minor issues could well develop into major ones without them realising. A lot depends too on the dogs' personalities which can't be predicted as puppies. I hear a lot from people where it hasn't worked out so it's refreshing to hear a sibling sucess story for a change.

[*Caro]

Dr Ian Dunbar, a leading vet behaviourist, did this Podcast about getting and raising litter mates that is worth a look.

http://www.dogstardaily.com/radio/02...rmate-syndrome

[niteshadow]

Hi everyone, I am very new to this site. I have had my puppies for 4 weeks now. As of last friday they turned 12 weeks old. I have a little girl named Ginger and, a little guy named Casper (runt of the litter). I am really hoping that they stay getting alone with each other. Plus I have already started socializing them with other dogs. Each one seems to change daily with there personalities. Any advice anyone wants to send my way. Would be glad to hear it. For now, no really issues except chewing lol. Oh and the reason I posted in this thread is there has to be someone with good news about raising siblings lol. Take care

[Katagaria]

My two boys (Irish Shelties!) are brothers but we got them at different times. We got Cosmo (blue merle) when he was 8 weeks and later we ended up with Jet (tri) at 6 months or so. My boyfriend wanted us to get Jet from the start because he went off into the corner to take a nap while all the other puppies were playing with us.

These boys couldn't be more different if they tried.

Cosmo is very much a people person, he'll sit on your feet while doing the washing up. Jet will sit at the other end of the room (probably licking the floor or something like that...) Jet's a barker, but Cosmo isn't. I could go on and on about how different they are...

I don't know if getting littermates (even if there is a gap) has made them become different dogs but I know one thing for sure, I wouldn't change a thing about Peanut and Jelly. They are a joy to have.

[Calliesmom]

that's more like my house- got Cranberry as a puppy and then his litter sister Dixie at about 10 months......
Cran is all about playing with everyone- all dogs should play with him and all people have cookies to give him- that is his worldview.
Dixie - plays with others but does not have to- reserved with strangers- that is Dix.
At home, she is the territorial guard dog and barks at anything that moves or makes noise. Cran- well, he grew up with two older dogs that weren't bothered by stuff like that so he doesn't care either.
now out and about, unless it's agility, Dixie hardly makes any noise when we're in public. Cran has no issues voicing his opinions anywhere
I definitely could not have had two small pups at the same time- there would be no sanity left

[rosesandlace]

Here's the first video I shot of Brandi & Brady as pups ...notice Brady's flying jump in the chase ...his nickname is Bunny Boy because he hops and jumps when he gets excited in play!

http://s251.photobucket.com/user/ros...tml?sort=4&o=8

[Calliesmom]

Originally Posted by rosesandlace

Here's the first video I shot of Brandi & Brady as pups ...notice Brady's flying jump in the chase ...his nickname is Bunny Boy because he hops and jumps when he gets excited in play!

http://s251.photobucket.com/user/ros...tml?sort=4&o=8

soooo cuuuuuute

[sable]

[QUOTE=rosesandlace;265190]Here's the first video I shot of Brandi & Brady as pups ...notice Brady's flying jump in the chase ...his nickname is Bunny Boy because he hops and jumps when he gets excited in play!

http://s251.photobucket.com/user/ros...tml?sort=4&o=8[/QUOTE

Talk about precious moments, and two beautiful sheltie pups. They look so compatible, having so much fun together.

[mbfrench]

I really think,especially for me the dynamics & harmony of the home is important.
In our case,we already had a lab(Earnhardt) & also a blind cat (Bumper),which now have both crossed bridge.
But we brought Trapp home in 09' at almost 9 weeks. Earnhardt instantly bonded deeply with Trapp,and did the best he could to put up with puppy antics of biting,herding,snatching his collar...it was non stop. And Ernie did ok,but he did not offer Trapp enough to keep him busy.
So,4 months later we decided on bringing Jasper home. Jasper is Trapp's half brother.
Well let me say...it was an amazing thing to see these two pups play & just totally click with each other. They were both so easy,could not have asked for two better dogs to house train.
The harmony of our home instantly calmed,and we were grateful. In 2010 Mia joined the pack. She is deaf & blind. And again,everything for adjustment was awesome.

I don't stress to much.I don't have dominance issues,with any males here.Blake is now here (4th sheltie). I was hoping for a dog with a high energy level,that would bond well with all the dogs. He chose Jasper as his partner in crime.They fit together like ying & yang.Which for Jasper has been a good thing,as he is a bit reserved,and not an in your face kind of dog. So his attitude & personality has greatly improved.

Trapp is my "sit back,and observe kind of dog". He does'nt involve himself to much,unless he wants to.When he's done,he's done,and lets the youngsters play. He has gladly taken over Earnhardt's alpha status here,and handles himself gracefully.