Hi from Northern Ontario

W

wantingasheltie

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Since the age of eight i have wanted a Sheltie. When I was eight I saw a Sheltie tied outside a mall he or she must have been about 12 weeks or so anyhow his owner gave us a ball to roll to him and he rolled it back and it was a game, at that age i thought wow that is one smart puppy. To this day I want a Sheltie, but I have a mutt(pomeranian jack russel cross)she is the most loving, loyal dog that i have ever known i wouldn't trade her, she is a keeper. My 10 year old daughter has been asking for her "own" puppy now for a while and I thought a Sheltie would be the perfect dog for her(although it may become mine if she doesn't take care of it). My fiancee would like her to get a terrier because that is what type of dog he likes, but even though it will be her dog I consider it a family dog, and as long as she works with the dog she can be the leader or best friend. Right after I decided i wanted a Sheltie I found a breeder in my area who breeds Shelties, thanks for the list in what to look out for breeders by the way because I will end up using it. The puppies will be ready to go for christmas wich will work out perfectly. I don't get to go meet them untill they are 4 weeks old so I am inpatiently waiting only three more weeks. The mother is a merl sheltie and the father is a tri I believe but not positive there are two puppies to choose from both are males one is a tri sheltie the other being what the breeder called it was possibly a sable merl. I would have prefered a female, but a male will do. I don't plan on breeding or showing, but I want to make sure that if i did intend to even tho I don't I am still interested in knowing about the whole Sheltie genetics. I know that breeding two Shelties that are white factored can yeild a Sheltie that has a high rate of blinde and or deafness, I saw the Mia thread ,very sad :( . So out of these two what is the better pick, or what should I look for? I don't plan on breeding this puppy but if I fall in love with the breed like i did when I was eight I would like to breed my next Sheltie, but not before knowing everything there is to know about the gentics and such hence my curiosity. But i guess i am just blabbing now as that is not really important right now, I am excited for christmas, and i hope my daughter will be happy and surprised and a good leader for her puppy(if not i will be, or at least i can teach her how to be as I have alot of experience teaching basics).
 
I can not help with your breeding questions but I can tell you when we picked out our puppies it was not a problem at all. they just call to you, if you know what I mean. When we went to select our second from a group of 8 we watched them in the kennel playing and rolling over each other. it was nap time and they where all sort of bunched together, one of the older puppies (one litter was a few weeks older that the other) rolled over on Miki and she jumped up and let him (or her) know that was not cool, I fell for her right then and have not regretted the choice any time. Miki was the runt of the litter but she makes up for it in personally, always ready to play and let you know when its dinner time!
 
Welcome from the Niagara area. Good to see more people from Ontario joining.

As to picking a puppy, you will know which is the right one for you when you see them. The breeder can help you choose as he/she knows the puppies, their personalities, and should ask about what you are looking for and what your lifestyle is like. Ask lots of questions - prepare a list and email it off.

When I chose my blue merle, Noah, I had a choice between his brother and him. He was almost 10 weeks when I saw him, no waiting involved. I just knew when I showed him to my parents that he was the one I wanted.

With Emma, I saw her picture and fell in love. She was a singleton, only puppy at the breeder's at the time. She just spoke to me with her feisty attitude coming through in the picture.

Liam was 10 months when I got him, and the breeder offered him to me for the price of the neuter. I have never regretted that since, as he is the more loving of the two.

Go with your heart - you won't be wrong. Listen to what your daughter is saying, as she is the one who will be responsible. Can't wait to see pix. I had to wait two weeks to go get Emma and it was a hard wait.
 
Hello, and welcome!

I had to chuckle at your impatience at wanting to meet the puppy. I know what that is like! We just got our Sheltie puppy (Lerwick) at the beginning of August. We had been keeping tabs on our local reputable breeders since January, waiting for a litter to be born. In early April, we learned that one of our preferred breeders had just bred two of her girls, so we called to get on the list for a puppy. The wait from January to April was hard. The wait from April to June (when the puppies were due) was even harder. The wait to meet the puppies at 6 weeks old was harder still. But nothing was worse than waiting the final two weeks for us to be able to take home our chosen puppy at 8 weeks old! Those were the longest two weeks EVER. :lol:

Lerwick is a sable merle. His dam is a sable merle and his sire is a sable. He had the merle markings (spots) on his coat as a young puppy, but they have since faded out (just as the breeder said they would), and he is a lovely honey color now. You can see his age progression photos (so far) here: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v...ew&current=LerwickAgeProgression_6wk-20wk.jpg

As for trying to choose between the puppies... I agree with what others have said. If you talk to the breeder, he/she should be able to give you a good idea of the puppies' personalities, and from there you can decide which one will fit your family best. Your daughter (and you) are very lucky. :) Shelties make great family pets. We had one when I was a kid, and I vowed that when I grew up, I'd have my own Shelties. Wonderful dogs!
 
I would recommend you not plan on breeding and just have a fantastic pet that has been neutered.

As far as which one, I am hoping for a brother for Sca and the people that are ahead of me want a small pup. BIG MISTAKE! Unless you are planning to show or have limitations based on rules imposed by a landlord etc. forget that. Go for temperament. Sca was supposed to be a Blue Merle that is 4 inches shorter and 10-15 lbs lighter :lol: But the reality is that he is a FANTASTIC dog. Great temperament and constantly receives complements on his appearance. He is great with kids and strangers and a perfect buddy for me. Color and size are probably the least important factors on how well the pup fits into your family.

Oh and bring the fiance along to see the pups... nothing like a sheltie puppy to make him forget about those nasty terriers :razz:

Good luck.
 
Welcome:smile2:
will definitely need to see pix when the pup arrives:yes:

definitely take the family to meet the pup.

and if you ever do decide to become a breeder- find a breeder to mentor you.

for one of the pups in the litter that you are looking at to be a sable merle- if the father is a tri, then the mother must be a sable merle.
My Cranberry is a sable merle- his mother was a blue merle and his father was a sable.
http://cranberrycallie.shutterfly.com/645
http://cranberrycallie.shutterfly.com/766 (Cran is the jumping one)
 
don't worry about trying to pick one. It will pick YOU!!! When I saw Cody's litter, he was trying to get my attention by sticking his front paws through the fencing. It worked, as soon as I saw him, he was MINE!! I didn't even look at the other pups!!!:lol:
 
Thanks for the replies,I will definately be newtering, as we just got a new couch and I most definately don't want that ruined :) . The mother is a blue merl so i guess the father must be a sable. I wont bring my family to see them as it is surprise christmas present, as for my hubby I wish he would be fine after seeing the pup but he just does'nt work that way, we are opposites, but he will eventually get over it as my dog eventually grew on him.Only three more weeks untill I meet them and I will post pics. I agree that it is better to go based on temperment but it's so hard to tell as puopies.When I got my dog she was a puppy who kept to herself, I was told, but she when we got hwr she loved to play and socialize and follows us around the house all day. So I guess I will just watch them and ask the breeder what she thinks. Sorry about the spelling mistakes, don't know where the spell check is and I using my phone so I may press the wrong letter.
 
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