Making the decision...

I am from europe and we have a different standard for pomeranians (we have german spitz and they come in different heights dwarf=pomeranian, miniature, medium and giant spitz). I have a miniature spitz and the temperament is the same as the pomeranians. If I understand you say that you wouldn't be able to go for daily walks? But just occasional 10 minutes ones a few times a week..

Spitzs(poms) do not need as much exercise as the shelties, but they can go as much as other working breeds without problem.. I guess It all depends on how you exercise them from puppyhood. My spitz is used to long walks. He can live without one if the weather is bad or by just playing in our yard, but he is truly happy when he sees we are going out in the nature. I am so happy when I see him so happy. He grabs the first thing he sees and runs at full speed around while I am searching for shoes. I am always to slow for him.:biggrin2: He can be all day in our big yard If he wants, but he loves going out. Outside is always more interesting, they can smell 'news' from other dogs, see different things. I am sure pomeranians being smaller can go without long walks but I don't think they would be truly happy without two or three 10 minutes walks per a day. They are very bouncy dogs, the cavaliers seem a lot came to me at least.:yes:

As for cats, no problem with them if the cats are not afraid of dogs (our cat is 12 years old and she is terrified of dogs and so she runs like crazy whenever she sees him, now is getting a bit better) I had to teach him she can't chase her, my grandma has cats that are not afraid and he doesn't care, he sniffs them and that's all.
 
Welcome to Sheltie Nation! So great you are asking questions before making a decision! As you can tell by the many posts there are varying opinions on if a sheltie is the right fit for you home.

I come from a slightly different perspective as I have owned a female sheltie puppy that was so smart. I took her to obedience classes... puppy, beginner, intermediate, and advanced. We eventually got a CD title on her. I worked long hours so my sister would come to let her out and play with her each day in the backyard. She was calm and never needed long walks. Maybe 20 minutes to 1/2 hour each day.

My second sheltie was the complete opposite... He is a male and when he was a pup we did the same obedience classes... he did great as well... HOWEVER, he is MORE like a border collie in his exercise needs! He is always 'ON'. The good news is he LOVES to play frizzbee so I can get him tired very quickly.

The other 3 shelties I have are rescues and are 5 years in age and over when I got them. They are sweet and calm dogs. I talked my sister into adopting a calm sweet female as well...

Now rescues have stolen my heart. They are older and mostly calm! Just a thought! The rescues I have are the love of my life!

FYI - They ALL have LOVED my Persian cats and they all get along with each other!
 
Did you notice already in the litter which of the puppies was the calmest or the most high energy? I am asking because I want to know If this is a secure and certan choice.. I am afraid that the calmest puppy would in the end become a lot more high energy.
 
posiepurrs said:
As for the suggestion of a greyhound, I would be wary of any sight hound or terrier breeds with the types of other pets you have. The dog could look at them as prey. I can't off much of a suggestion on the Pom other than the 2 I have been around did have a snarky attitude. Just my opinion.
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Italian greyhounds aren't like other sight hounds - more of a toy breed. Definitely lower maintenance and not needing as much exercise as other sight hounds and they don't seem to have the same prey drive. I know quite a few Iggys that live happily with cats. The Cavaliers I know are pretty active.

We have many people who come on here and are not prepared for the high energy levels of their shelties. They are pulling their hair out because the dog is constantly barking, reactive, obsessive or demanding. And sadly some of these dogs end up in rescue, sold or passed on. It is a very big risk to assume you may get one of the smaller number of low energy shelties.

You mentioned you have a toy poodle puppy and that is your first dog. Can I suggest waiting until the puppy has reached adolescence before making such an important decision as adding another dog. Adolescence puts a whole new slant on things and is very different to owning a puppy.
 
Agree with Caro, and others who caution against a Sheltie being an indoor housedog only.
I don't understand what exactly that term means to you, but personally I wouldn't want a dog of any breed to never really get to experience the world outside your property. I'd stick with cats for that!
Maybe I just need clarification tho :)
Mental and physical stimulation is imperative to any dog, but any working breed in particular herding dogs even more so, imo
You certainly can do a lot of things without having to go for walk around the block everyday, but without the physical and mental stimulation your dogs won't be happy and won't be easy to live with
 
corbinam said:
I tend to agree with Caro. While not all shelties have tons and tons of energy they are busy and curious dogs. They are not true lap dogs (though some do enjoy sitting in your lap for a bit!) and I'd be hesitant to keep one mostly indoors.

I think a pomeranian or a King Charles Spaniel might be more of what you are looking for.
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hidden supplies of energy...they can keep going and going, and going, and really they LOVE to run, they LOVE to chase, they LOVE to be out and SEE everything, and try to herd it. They like quiet times, sure, but they like to be busy and they LOVE to have zoomie time, and unless you don't mind them bounding over your furniture as a motorcross terrain course, you need them outside so they can do what they do-and it is so ADORABLE to watch them break out and go for it!!!! and it is part of the joy of owning them. So many other breeds could be better suited to indoor mostly. Can they be trained, well sure, but why do that, it isn't their intended purpose. They are companion dogs yes, but have you noticed all the posts on sports they do?
 
Yes, Shelties excel in sports (agility, flyball, treiball, rally) but they can do so much more (herding, nose work, freestyle--heelwork to music, or even therapy. Obviously a Sheltie is too small to do the front and back "covers", the balancing folks with balance issues, or the picking up of large objects so I would think that they do more emotional therapy, picking up small objects, or hospital/nursing home visits.)

Even lapdogs need walks (unless they are the stuffed variety :wink2: ) It's just a matter of providing enough to keep them happy and calm, still Shelties are a high energy dog and require daily walks, active play, and a healthy helping of games to exercise that intelligence. Evenso, I HAVE seen Shelties listed on a couple of lists that note that (particularly the calmer ones) for the elderly who realize that a Sheltie is NOT a lapdog. So if you still have your heart set on a Sheltie, perhaps one that has already been through the more energetic period of puppyhood--an adult from a rescue or breeder perhaps?

Oh, from what I've read about Shelties, they were originally bred to help the farmer protect his crops (by chasing off birds or rodents that might look at them as "dinner") and by helping the farmer to herd his little sheep. Not just a companion animal or a dog for sports. However these dogs are "hardwired" to be active not just a pretty "look-at-me" that forever sits on one's lap.

If it's a lapdog you seek, there are lists of them--from the hypoallergenic to the sleek to the puffy.
 
Thought about adopting a older Sheltie? Most seniors are just active enough to keep up, and enjoy just hanging out with their people. You can get all that Sheltie personality, without all the puppy energy.
 
Hi again! I am a little worried about posting again, but I wanted to explain everything further. I have given this a lot of thought, and I've made a decision. Long story short, in the end, it has to be a sheltie. I have looked into all breeds extensively, and the sheltie is definitely the one for me.

Not to get too personal or anything, but I suffer from many anxiety and fear disorders. Included in this is an intense fear of people and going outside. Well, owning such an active dog as a sheltie might be the most therapeutic thing in the world for me for obvious reasons, haha! Plus, I have never been so excited about anything before as the concept of training in obedience and agility as my passion. It'll get me outside, socializing with people, keep my sheltie active, and improve my overall horrendously bad self-esteem among many, many other things. Not to mention, above all, strengthening my bond with my sheltie and having fun! (admittedly rare for my depressive self!)

As for getting the sheltie herself, I am not rushing into this part. Admittedly, I am having fun actively searching every day for the 'perfect' one on every site imaginable, but I do not expect her to show up for awhile. Ideally, I hope to find a female sheltie around 3 months to 3 years old that is on the very small range. Whether it's from a rescue or a (reputable!) breeder, I have high hopes that I will find the one for me soon enough! In the meantime, I will be preparing myself for her coming home. Until then, I hope to actively participate in this community and learn all that I possibly can!!

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you all around!

(P.S. You might be thinking, why not do all this with my toy poodle? Well, I love her with all my heart... but she is far from a dog. She's more of a cat in all regards, LOL. So in the end I'll have both a cat-dog and a dog-dog... the best of both worlds!)
 
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