If you didn't own shelties...

I personally cannot speak for all of the breeds. I grew up around GSD's, although the dogs my family owned were hard working DDR dogs that competed in ring sports as well as schutzhund, when I originally swung away from that I 'swang' towards the aussie for a 'happier' dog that had the energy to keep up with my antics.

I fell in love with the breed when I started competing in frisbee and dabbling in agility. So the love for that breed is rooted in energy level, intelligence (40's hmpf), loyalty, and over all crazy personality. They were probably the quirkiest dogs I have ever owned.

For me, (note that I first stumbled upon Sheltie's by pure accident) I fell in love with the Sheltie for the similarty to the Aussie without the pain. I think when I first chose to bring home Whiskey it was to bring home a dog that I loved, but also a dog that reminded me absolutely nothing of Indi yet retained the intelligent herding breed personality. Over time I came to appreciate more and more the qualities of the Shetland Sheepdog that were not similar to the aussie.

And, just a few days ago, although insanely difficult to admit to myself due to loyalties for my former pair, I have come to realize that I have found a better, if not perfect, match in a breed for me within the Shetland Sheepdog.

So for me, the allure for Shelties is with the drive to work and love for it, the intelligence, the wit, and the intense loyalty.
 
I feel I can only speak well for Papillons, as I live with a shining example. Pierre is everything the breed is supposed to be in personality. It is unfortunate that the full mask and saddle is out of style right now, because he would have loved the show ring.

I think that I complain about Pierre more than Duncan or Abbie because I put my working dog expectation on his little Toy shoulders. His whole life would be complete if he spent the day in someone's arms or in their lap. He rarely asks to get down and looks so cute snuggling, I've often stayed in bed/watched more tv/just sat there so that he doesn't have to get up - even though I know he will just plop down once I settle again be it 5 minutes or 3 hours. It is very nice to have a snuggly dog.

He is also fiercely loyal. He sounds the alarm if anything sounds amiss (or if that darned boxer runs across the back). As he gets older and mellows out, he is learning when and where and even learning how to calm himself when started up.

A big plus is his coat. Don't get me wrong, I love the Sheltie coat, but two dogs of it is enough. He has a single wash and wear sort of coat. No line brushing at all. I trim his feet and if his tail is touching the floor, I'll trim that too. Brush over with a pin brush (he looooovveess the feel of my CC brush but hated my generic pet store one) and possibly slicker the fringe on his ears. It should take about 3 minutes tops, but I hold it out because the Shelties get such a long time and I know he would be jealous.

Pierre is very, very, very smart. Motivating him to do what you want, when you want it can be a difficult task. I think that the older he gets, the more compliant he will become. He passed his CGC, so he can do all of that. Still, he is very stubborn and being the first pup we had didn't exactly make us the best suited for the job.

Easily said, Pierre is a very little dog. He is on the upper end of the in-size for Papillons - 11". I think for Papillons he is very lithe and limber, as he is only 8 lbs. I love the size. He can sit in my lap without crushing me. He sleeps curled up between DH and I without a problem and you can pick him up so easily. I've thought of putting him in a purse but not for fashion, I just wanted to bring him everywhere with me. I never have, though! He is delicate, but not like some toy dogs. In fact, Papillons are one of the hardiest Toys out there.

There are a few cons. One, it took us at least a year and a half to fully housetrain Pierre. I crate trained and was diligent, but every time he got a little trust, there would be an accident. Now he is our best and most consistent pottying, but it was a long road. I think if we get a second Pap, things would go more smoothly. Also, he is very needy with attention and training. You must be willing to invest lots of time into the dog.

Overall, I think Pierre was a great first dog for us and a wonderful learning experience. I think we may always have a Papillon, if only for the free and wonderful snuggles. Pierre says Bonjour from my lap, by the way.
 
MoonshineDad said:
I personally cannot speak for all of the breeds. I grew up around GSD's, although the dogs my family owned were hard working DDR dogs that competed in ring sports as well as schutzhund, when I originally swung away from that I 'swang' towards the aussie for a 'happier' dog that had the energy to keep up with my antics.
.........
So for me, the allure for Shelties is with the drive to work and love for it, the intelligence, the wit, and the intense loyalty.
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I couldn't agree more, and I couldn't have said it better... especially the part about the 'happier' dog... I love your story and I have noticed your transformation, I remember you really loved the Aussies and missed a bit of the disk-drive when you got Moonshine at first... now you are reformed, LOL. It's a toned down version of a nutty Border Collie I keep telling people who suffer from Border Collie envy ;)

My GSD was loyal, VERY obedient, etc etc... We dabbled a little in Schutzhund (being from Germany that's what one does with a goos hardworking GSD, lol) more around obedience and tracking than bite-work (he was already fear aggressive.... poor guy) Too bad Balin was from a terrible breeder (He was actually a Shiloh Shepherd so for size the breeder had bred some wolf hybrids into his line for size... he was banned from the Club... and I believe them, knowing my dog acted very wolf like...) So mine wouldn't have been the finest example of a GSD breed for sure, but my word, GSD's are serious allllll the time, lol. They can snuggle and stuff but I think it is more because they want to be nearby to protect etc...

So after years and years of not having a dog for several reasons, I FINALLY came home to the breed I loved but never had... and by golly Toffee keeps me grounded! He is silly, and we laugh a lot and we are having a blast... My Sheltie is a hard-working, loyal, fast learning, eager to please dog in a small package (compared to a GSD, anyhow... lol of course among Shelties he's a big beast lol), he just has all the drive and spunk, with a little attitude thrown in for entertainment!
 
I have tried several times since being a teenager to get a rough collie. My first attempt was when our mixed breed dog, Snickerdoodles, died. My mom said her entire childhood she was forced to have ugly dogs (Chow Chow and GSD, but I don't think GSD are ugly). So off we went looking for a rough collie. We found a pretty rough collie at the pound, but my mom decided she wanted a puppy. Not long after Smudge got sick my mom asked me if I thought we shouldn't have gotten Gizmo and instead saved the rough collie from the pound. :sadsmile: I still think about that collie a lot.

When I went looking for Smudge I was dead set on a rough collie. I ended up with a collie sized sheltie. :lol: One day before I die I will own a rough collie, but at this point in my life it's not an option. Jennifer transports rescue collies to Dallas from our local pound so sometimes she has them at her house for several days or even months. So I get my collie fix that way. :biggrin2:

I like rough collies because they are very pretty dogs. Like shelties, I'm not a sable snob when it comes to collies, either. At the Texarkana show they had a tri rough collie (didn't get to watch him/her) doing obedience. Very pretty dog.
 
It is really hard for me to say what other breed of dog I would have. I have always rescued so I've never really set out for a particular breed. Our family has been blessed to always have the most wonderful dogs. As a child we had a mutt that we inherited from my fathers boss. Then after she passed I rescued an abused cocker. He became my dad's best buddy. After him I rescued another mutt so my son would have a companion as he became a latch key kid until I got home from work. She passed from a brain tumor at a very tendor age of 6 but we had 6 beautiful years with her. I don't think she had any idea how to be mean and she rarely barked. Her death lead us to our wonderful rough collie. Because of her loving and sweet dispostion we decided to get her a sister which led us to our wonderful, sweet playful sheltie. At this point I can't imagine life without either of them so I guess we will have to see what God brings us next but I imagine it would be another sheltie and or collie.
 
Lovely said:
Overall, I think Pierre was a great first dog for us and a wonderful learning experience. I think we may always have a Papillon, if only for the free and wonderful snuggles. Pierre says Bonjour from my lap, by the way.
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My obedience instructor has BCs and her husband an ex K-9 cop(Rotts and GSD) has Papillons. He is a very big man and he looks like he should have Rotts. He says he enjoys lounging in the chair with 4 or 5 Papillons all over him.
 
Justicemom said:
My obedience instructor has BCs and her husband an ex K-9 cop(Rotts and GSD) has Papillons. He is a very big man and he looks like he should have Rotts. He says he enjoys lounging in the chair with 4 or 5 Papillons all over him.
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We are lucky Pierre doesn't have suction cup feet or else he'd literally hang off of us 24/7. Papillons aren't overly discriminatory in their snuggles, either. Pierre has disliked one person ever. I don't know how he would feel about another Papillon in the house. Something tells me he isn't willing to share us with a non-Sheltie!
 
Rottweilers or Great Danes. They are both beautiful, loving, and great family dogs. Plus I love big dogs, but I have all small dogs.
 
Rough collies are definitely a dog I would like to have at some point.

Honestly, once I am living completely on my own I would like to always own a sheltie, plus one breed that I havent owned before. I love owning new breeds, because its interesting and different.

I am hoping to own an Afghan or Great Dane next. I love all the danes I have met, they are lovely dogs. I dont know about the drooling though. Afghans are just gorgeous, I love the way they look, and I have heard they are very cat-like and a little bit of divas in personality. I dont know if I could own a dog that is a diva...because I can be one myself sometimes :wink2:
 
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