Puppy vs adult

[Calliesmom]

I would have recommended meeting both as well.
do you know where in Mississippi these two are located?
I'm in Alabama and actually work in MS.......

 

[Qzee]

We chose the puppy. We are adopting her from Bless Their Hearts Animal Rescue. Not sure where they are exactly in Mississippi. The dogs are in foster homes. They will be shipping her up next weekend. The sweet thing is her puppy buddy, who is a border collie/lab puppy, is shipping the same day to MD. So they will be together for most of the drive.

I found out that the 2.5yr old is her mommy. She had 2 litters of puppies (not 3) and she was half way thru her pregnancy when they brought her into the rescue back in October - surprise.... Mom is about 32lbs and Dad is about 26lbs. They were caged dogs so mom kept spinning for a cpl of days being loose. So sad. It took us a while to really talk it thru and decide on the puppy, but we felt that she was born at the rescue, so she will be very easy to train.

One important question that I thought of.... I know collies can't get ivermectin, is it ok for shelties to get it?

You will be hearing much more from me. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[trini]

Congratulations on your soon to be new puppy.

Test your Dog for the mutant MDR1 gene. Information from the VCPL at Washingto
The above link for Wash U will give you full information on dogs who may carry the mutated MDR1 gene, how to test for this mutated gene, and the list of medications (including ivermectin) that are not recommended for them. Collies, Shelties, and at least 8+ other breeds have been found to have this mutated gene so it is wise to get your sheltie pup tested. BTW the test is super easy, just a couple of cheek swabs that you send back to the lab at Wash U and within about 2 weeks you will get your answer.

Trini

 

[Mom2Melli]

Congratulations on the puppy! I found mine a total delight, easy to live with, easy to train, and one of the 6 best dogs I have ever had (3 aussies, 1 shepherd mix, 1 other sheltie).

I HIGHLY recommend you test for the MDR1 gene mutation. There are many medications that this applies to. I tested my little one at 8 weeks old. It's very easy, just a cheek swab and mail it in. It gives a lot of confidence when it comes to a huge list of medications.

It's great your pup was born there at the rescue. I am sure they have worked with the little one from very early to socialize. You will have a wonderful time. You will be a sheltie convert after this. Shelties have a really fine mind and are very thoughtful beings. You will soon learn that you can have a much more adult relationship than with a dog like a lab.

One word of advice -- read up on some of the old threads about male versus female. I started on eons ago, like last fall, that had some really amazing advice. With the sheltie intelligence, you will soon find yourself with not a dog or a baby or a being who idolizes you but an equal partner in all things. They bark not to bark but to inform. They will work their hearts out for you if they respect you. Training is very important and you will find that really cements the team. You will also find your pup will be star of the class. Shelties usually are.

Keep us all updated. You are going to absolutely have a wonderful time raising this breed.

 

[Qzee]

Thank you all so much for all the advice. I just ordered the test kit, hope it comes before the puppy gets here so I can get her tested ASAP.

So much to learn about this breed. Sounds like I made a really good choice picking this breed. Now to come up with a name for her.... My lab is Shelby, the cat is Ariel - both girls. My poor husband, he is still the only man in the house...

 

[ghggp]

I would talk to rescue. They should have a good idea of both dogs' personalities and temperament. They should be able to tell you which dog will fit best with your lifestyle & expectations.

I agree...
When I adopted my first rescue I had my heart set on one I found on Petfinder from Michigan Sheltie Rescue. They had three shelties available for adoption at the time. They asked me to keep an open mind and pick the one that would be a match to my current sheltie Laddie. They were so right! When I met my first choice in person, it was obvious the dog was way too high energy.

Billy was the next dog I met.

He was so traumatized. His first master was put into a nursing home and eventually passed away. A young man adopted him next but was a maniac depressive and committed suicide. He had gone though so much in his short life that I could not help but adopt him. He was calm and sweet. He added so much to my life. I knew with time and love he would come out of his shell.

He became my life! He and I bonded so deeply that my heart still aches at losing him to gall bladder disease. I had 7 wonderful years with him.

Billy on the left and Laddie on the right.

A good rescue will guide you...

 

[Qzee]

I got a video of the puppy we are getting on Saturday. We are so excited, Saturday can't come fast enough!!!

She is not timid at all, she keeps going right up to the dogs in the crates. She is interested in the toy that they throw, and her tail keeps wagging. She is way cuter in her video than her baby pictures. I love the spring in her step and that she trots off really nicely. She even has the folded ears

Sorry for all the flooring footage, I did not take it. The other puppy in the video is her best friend. She is one of the lab mixes that lost their mommy to a car accident and baby sheltie's mommy nursed them. They have grown up together. My puppy is approximately 2wks older than the lab mix.

http://youtu.be/T97RAgx0JpQ

 

[Hanne]

She looks really cute and happy, I am sure you have made the right choice
it's super that she has grown up with a lab mix.

It must be hard to see her on video, and you can not reach her and pet her - but now approaching the time where you have to meet her.

It will be a great day for all of you

 

[Qzee]

Thanks everyone. My anxiety level is going through the roof... I want her here already! Unfortunately, the transportation van went in for routine service this week and when they were driving it home an oil hose blew. So back to the shop it went. They have moved delivery back 24 hours to Sunday at 1pm - ugh, right in the middle of Easter. Oh well, she is going to learn to love people quick - she is going right to my parents with us for Easter dinner. There will only be 5 people there, so it won't be too crazy. We will drop my labrador off at my parent's house first and then go pick up the puppy.

I plan on taking my labrador to the dog park in the morning to tire her out before dropping her off. I know she is going to just love this puppy. I hope she can control her silly lab side. I am going to see about buying one of those hectagon shaped dog playpens and bringing that with us on Sunday.

I think we may have narrowed down the name to two: Sabrina or Becca. I still have 2 more days to come up with a name, so I know the choices will grow again LOL I love the name Carly, but my husband is not fond of it. I really liked the name Siriana that was suggested, but my husband thought of Siri - the Iphone lady and said no.

 

[Mally's Mom]

Thanks everyone. My anxiety level is going through the roof... I want her here already! Unfortunately, the transportation van went in for routine service this week and when they were driving it home an oil hose blew. So back to the shop it went. They have moved delivery back 24 hours to Sunday at 1pm - ugh, right in the middle of Easter. Oh well, she is going to learn to love people quick - she is going right to my parents with us for Easter dinner. There will only be 5 people there, so it won't be too crazy. We will drop my labrador off at my parent's house first and then go pick up the puppy.

I plan on taking my labrador to the dog park in the morning to tire her out before dropping her off. I know she is going to just love this puppy. I hope she can control her silly lab side. I am going to see about buying one of those hectagon shaped dog playpens and bringing that with us on Sunday.

I think we may have narrowed down the name to two: Sabrina or Becca. I still have 2 more days to come up with a name, so I know the choices will grow again LOL I love the name Carly, but my husband is not fond of it. I really liked the name Siriana that was suggested, but my husband thought of Siri - the Iphone lady and said no.

I vote for the name: Sabrina. My great aunt had a very sweet, mixed breed dog named Sabrina..............always loved that name.