Strongly considering entering the Sheltie world

Welcome. Shelties are a great choice, especially if you like larger dogs. As my trainer says, a sheltie is really a big dog in a small body. As they were originally bred to work, they have a lot of that big dog attitude and work ethic that most smaller dogs don't. Plus, they're cute. :wink2:

Pretty much my thinking.

The breed standards aren't exactly comparable when it comes to size either though. Britian has an 'ideal' while the US has a range.

Fair point. American ones do seem bigger on the whole, though.

Anyway, here's my little guy (taken from my phone so not the best quality):

http://yfrog.com/0mpuppyrgj
 
One of my shelties weighs 40 pounds. She's a big girl! She's a barker, but she's getting better over time. She was a rescue, so I didn't get to train her as a puppy. They are very smart and it's not taking me very long to get her yaps under control.

The one we had as a puppy is 5 and about 22 pounds. She doesn't even bark when the doorbell rings. She'd make a super flat mate. It all depends on the pup and the training.

And yes, just like the others said it won't be long before you start itching to add another sheltie. If it weren't for HOA regulations I'd probably become the dog lady ;)
 
Welcome to the forum! Since you mentioned videos, here is my puppy Buffy's YouTube channel :wink2: She's 1 now but we have stuff up from when she was a puppy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ5rcFDLw2Y&feature=channel

I find that proper exercise helps a lot in keeping them quiet (we are in a condo with close neighbors too). Buffy does "talk" to us but she doesn't usually bark at length unless she hasn't gotten exercise. Also, we did train her to do "quiet" early on. The quiet command requires patience but it will work eventually if you keep at it and reward when they are quiet.
 
I've wanted a dog ever since my old English Springer Spaniel Jemma died a number of years ago. Jemma was a family pet, and now I've flown the nest I have a burning desire for a canine companion.

The chap who runs our building has told us that if we get a dog it has to be a small one. Generally I prefer larger breeds, but I have to say the Sheltie is gorgeous and ticks all the right boxes for me. My girlfriend wasn't convinced at first, but she has very quickly warmed to the breed.

My only concern is that, living in a flat, there may be a barking problem, but the breeders I've spoken to tell me this characteristic is somewhat exaggerated, and that a lone dog shouldn't be too much of a problem, especially if trained diligently from the outset. Plus working from home means the dog will not be left alone during the daytime. In any case, I doubt it would be any worse than the Spitz owned by some people upstairs.

Anyway, it's nice to see such an active forum. Considering it's based around a single breed, it's an impressive testament to the passion people obviously feel for these dogs.

If all goes well, we hope to have a new puppy by early July. We're both rather excited by the prospect. I'm trying not to overload on videos and the like, just in case, but it's hard not to.

OVERLOAD....there is no such word here on Sheltie Nation!! We love pictures & videos.

As far as the breed,we will never own another breed.(Yes I have a lab) shame on me.

The sheltie is an amazingly intelligent,loyal,loving companion. Welcome to the forum,and I'm looking for ward to hearing all about your pups homecoming.

No go get batteries for the camera..cause your gonna need em':wink2:
 
Thanks very much for all the welcomes. :smile2: It's slowly sinking in that I am now definitely getting a dog.

That is one seriously cute pup! Have you thought about a name yet?

Not yet! We've been thinking about it, but we're yet to come up with a decision. The frontrunner at the moment is probably Dylan.
 
he is a cutie!
My pup is 8 months old and is not a barker at home, I do like him to bark few times when someone comes... just teach him hush command...
Shelties are easy, when it comes to teaching...
 
Welcome! This place is awesome. I don't post much but have been stalking this site everyday since before I got my first sheltie, lol. Btw, it is very much true that one sheltie is not enough...so, go ahead and start thinking of a second name :yes:. Everyone here is very supportive and kind that's why I love this place so much :winkgrin:. Pictures and videos are MORE THAN WELCOME!
 
A couple more pics:

http://yfrog.com/eapuppy2uj

http://yfrog.com/j4puppy3j

Wish I were getting him sooner. It'll be worth the wait, though.

Welcome to the forum! Since you mentioned videos, here is my puppy Buffy's YouTube channel :wink2: She's 1 now but we have stuff up from when she was a puppy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ5rcFDLw2Y&feature=channel

I find that proper exercise helps a lot in keeping them quiet (we are in a condo with close neighbors too). Buffy does "talk" to us but she doesn't usually bark at length unless she hasn't gotten exercise. Also, we did train her to do "quiet" early on. The quiet command requires patience but it will work eventually if you keep at it and reward when they are quiet.

That's what we're going to try and do.

Buffy is a little beauty, by the way. Love the video of her going at her own reflection.
 
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