I have read online that shelties are the only dogs that seem to be bigotted against other breeds. I also found that to be true when I owned the three shelties. Occassionally my foster daughter would insist that she didn't like shelties and wanted a dog of her own--a different breed. She had a golden retriever for a while, then a rottweiller. The other shelties would not except them into their little group, and would stand around barking at the different breed dogs. I rehomed the golden retriever and rottweiller, since my daughter never liked them much, after she got to know their personalities.
Later, someone asked if they could drop off their sheltie for a few months, just until they could find a place that would allow dogs. The shelties added him to their group immediately and he fit right in. A few years later the woman came and picked him up (no thanks, no pay for food and medical), the other shelties were sad for a little while.
I have to agree with others that any of the herding group would probably be a better match, than just any breed. I have been trying to set up Buddy up with a Corgi down the street, but I keep missing her owner.
To tell you the truth, that's the biggest reason I like having more than 1 sheltie, so that they can have a pal when I can't be there. My husband says maybe later, so I keep praying.
