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Rhea

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Hello all! I'm a new member here and I can't wait to get to know all of you (and your dogs)!
My name is Rhea, I'm a university student in western Canada, and I'm in the beginning stages of thinking about my first dog. I'm still several years out from being ready for a dog, but Shelties have made my possible breed list so I'm here to learn everything I can about them so I can make the best choices for myself and my future dog! (Miniature poodles are on the shortlist as well, but our friends over at PoodleForum are taking the reins on that front!)
The main things that made me consider Shelties are their biddability, sensitivity, and intelligence! I've heard they're known to be vocal, which doesn't bother me as my current senior cat is very chatty. Their size seems ideal for me as well, since it's likely I'll be living in an apartment when I get my first dog. I'm prepared to offer a whole bunch of supervised outdoor time, training, and mental stimulation, so their high energy won't be a concern. My main reservation is that I've never owned a dog before, so grooming will have a learning curve, but since I'm starting WELL in advance, I have loads of time to brush up (haha) on my skills.
It's still early days, so I'm honestly still getting a feel for the breed, and I'm excited to learn! I'll see you all around!
 
A warm welcome to you, and kudos for doing lots of research and pondering on what type of dog is right for you. I've had a mini-poodle as a child, she was a great dog, but we've had Shelties for 35 years now and I wouldn't change a thing. You will learn a lot here just by hanging out on the forums!
 
Welcome to Sheltie Nation Rhea! I commend you for wanting to do the research before getting a dog! Too many rush out without even considering the breed characteristics.
One thing I’ll mention is when you do decide and you go the purebred route look for a breeder who is willing to take the time to teach you the grooming side of things (much easier with a Sheltie than a poodle of course lol). With my first Sheltie puppy Piper (now 6) I learned much of what I know now from the breeder...she’s taught me so much. Just one more thing to think about, because as much as the breeder vettes you it’s also your job to vette them. Good luck and of course I’m rooting for the Shelties haha!
 
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Rhea said:
Hello all! I'm a new member here and I can't wait to get to know all of you (and your dogs)!
My name is Rhea, I'm a university student in western Canada, and I'm in the beginning stages of thinking about my first dog. I'm still several years out from being ready for a dog, but Shelties have made my possible breed list so I'm here to learn everything I can about them so I can make the best choices for myself and my future dog! (Miniature poodles are on the shortlist as well, but our friends over at PoodleForum are taking the reins on that front!)
The main things that made me consider Shelties are their biddability, sensitivity, and intelligence! I've heard they're known to be vocal, which doesn't bother me as my current senior cat is very chatty. Their size seems ideal for me as well, since it's likely I'll be living in an apartment when I get my first dog. I'm prepared to offer a whole bunch of supervised outdoor time, training, and mental stimulation, so their high energy won't be a concern. My main reservation is that I've never owned a dog before, so grooming will have a learning curve, but since I'm starting WELL in advance, I have loads of time to brush up (haha) on my skills.
It's still early days, so I'm honestly still getting a feel for the breed, and I'm excited to learn! I'll see you all around!
Click to expand...
Whereabouts do you live Rhea...I’m in Manitoba.
 
A big welcome to our Sheltie Nation family. Lots of good information here and it is great that you are doing your research well before actually getting a dog...wish all people did that. Shelties are a wonderful breed but like all breeds they are a really good fit for some people and not maybe the best choice for others...so you are going about your selection of breed in the right way.
Trini
 
Welcome, Rhea! You are so smart to carefully choose your breed, good for you! Obviously, we're all biased here, LOL, but I had a mini poodle as my first dog many years ago. Both smart breeds, quick learners and great pets...you can't go wrong with either. One of the big differences is coat. Poodles really need professional grooming and trimming, while Shelties can be done by their owners with a bit of practice. Shelties are a herding breed, so you'll want to give them a job or they will make one. This makes them great companions for dog sports though!

We'll look forward to following your journey and we're happy to give you any help we can!
 
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