My first dog was a pet quality sable male descended from the famous Ch. Halstor's Peter Pumpkin.  I thought Pharoah was the most beautiful, incredible creature I'd ever had the good fortune to know. 

Pharoah (Rogene's Arctic Emperor) took me into the conformation ring for the first time in 1979 or 1980.  It didn't matter to me that he was only pet quality.  I certainly didn't know how to "show" and I didn't have the knowledge or materials to keep up with his ears so he ended up prick-eared.  But to me he was beautiful, and even though we took third out of three in our class, I got to leave the ring with the best dog in show -- at least as far as I was concerned!  We also competed in obedience -- I didn't know what I was doing, but my little dog sure did. 

Shelties are unusual and special dogs.  It's as though they customize themselves to your specific needs, and each dog has a distinctly unique personality - fabulous combinations of charm, humor, intelligence and devotion.  They are pranksters, but very honest dogs -- never sly.  There are times that I would swear I could have a conversation with them.  They are among the most intelligent of canines, placing at the top in obedience, agility, and herding (what they were originally bred for) and doing well in tracking and therapy work.  When I fly airplanes (I'm a pilot) a sheltie is the perfect right seat companion. Small but sturdy, as far as I'm concerned, they are the perfect dog. 

Frankly, they aren't for quite everyone.  They belong to the herding group within AKC, and many have the herding instinct in spades.  That means they chase things, and often nip harmlessly at your heels and calves.  Many shelties have a tendency to bark, and if not properly trained at an early age, can become a nuisance to neighbors.  In obedience, they often make a small semi-circle on the recall, which many judges don't understand -- and mark your dog down for a less than perfect recall.  They are active, working dogs, and are best suited to a lifestyle that involves activity.  Shelties have very active minds and notice and investigate just about everything.  They often remind me of little boys who take things apart to see how it works.  

Shelties are incredibly inquisitive and inventive.  Their minds are very active, seeking stimulation and challenge on a regular basis.  A bored sheltie  will often chew dangerously (i.e., power cords) as well as things of value -- your show dog's coat, your wallet, the wonderful keepsake you brought back from your dream trip, etc.  Woe be the new sheltie owner who believes he or she can just shut the dog into the garage when going out for the day/evening.  They will return to a rearranged or shredded garage, or a sick or dead sheltie who has managed to get into dangerous chemicals, like anti-freeze.  The sheltie actually does very well if properly crate trained -- they tend to regard the crate as a den, and will often voluntarily seek it out to rest, relax or to get away from outside stimuli. 

Males tend to shed once a year -- females shed approximately 2-3 months after each heat cycle.  They are double-coated, so when the undercoat begins to come out, if often comes out in downy tufts that end up all over the carpet.  They require grooming on a frequent basis - I like to brush my dogs thoroughly at least every two weeks at a minimum - once a week is the ideal.  Nails must be kept trimmed as over-long nails can cause problems with the dog's gait, performance, and ultimately, its soundness. 

My son Michael and I greatly enjoy showing our dogs in a variety of venues.  We compete regularly in the conformation ring, as well as obedience and agility.  His dog Rascal has done exceptionally well in conformation, obedience and agility, as well as in guiding Michael to Best Junior Handler wins.  Audie loves agility, and shows promise in the tracking field, so we will be taking that up soon -- herding is planned for the near future.  Keeper had done well in agility, and recently took on a bunch of sheep at a herding clinic, showing exciting promise (he lives up to his name!).  That boy loves the smell & taste of lanolin! 

Thanks for stopping by to get to know our four legged children.  They have certainly blessed our lives. I hope a sheltie or two will  bless yours! 

Be warned -- shelties are like potato chips.  It's difficult to stop with just one! 

A few of my "babies" -- photo taken February 2003

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