Choosing a dog!

[bonybroad]

We have decided our family is ready for a dog. We went through all the responsibilites, pros, cons, research research research.
We have it narrowed it down to two breeds. They are so ridiculously different!
Sheltie (shetland sheepdog)
Pointer

In the house there is my DH, me, DS8 and DS6.
We want a puppy. Does not have to be purebred. This will be a pet, not for show.
We live on 3 acres - lots of room to run. Big house, plenty of space inside.
I want something that will bark when someone comes in the driveway. I would also like something that will bark when the bear wanders into our yard. It's not fun when mamabear and her two cubs show up in our yard when we aren't paying attention.
We live in PA, so we have all 4 seasons here.
I know this is basically asking an opinion, but I would like to hear other people's thoughts on the matter.
Thanks!

 

[honugirl]

I love my shelties. We've got 2 of them. They're adorable. They're very in tune to me and how I'm feeling. They bark, a lot! Especially when someone comes up the driveway... They are good family dogs. Smart and generally easily trainable. Good luck! Hope you find the right dog for your family.

 

[perdidobay]

You want a sheltie, great dogs that bark warnings- alot!

 

[bonybroad]

Thank you!
But... do they bark TOO much?

 

[Hercules10]

My brother has had two shelties. One barked nearly non-stop. Would bark at flies on the window. The other was quiet as can be.

My suggestion is find a sheltie rescue, pick out a few and then let one of them chose you.

 

[AshleyW]

My fiance's parents have had 3 shelties since I've known him, and they've all been so SWEET. they do bark when people come up to the door or the driveway, but for the most part they don't bark too much. very happy and playful dogs. they're down to 1 right now - one had leukemia and passed away a few years ago, and the other had to be put down last week - but if they (or I) get a dog anytime soon, it'll definitely be a sheltie.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Love our GSP! We got her from North Texas rescue, but that may be a little far.

Here are two closer links:

http://www.mdgsprescue.org/

http://www.gsprescuene.org/


Best of luck!

 

[saratogadreamin09]

I have a sheltie!!!! I love him so much


The Sheltie sounds like the perfect breed for you. I live on 2 acres and he loves the room to run. Barks when he sees or hears any activity, would be very good at alerting you when someone pulls into the drivesway. I also live in New York and he loves the 4 seasons. The coat grows longer in the winter and shorter in the summer, the only problem is the shedding (but every dog sheds)


My votes for a sheltie

 

[saratogadreamin09]

Thank you!
But... do they bark TOO much?

I dont think they bark too much. They really only bark to alert their owners.



Cant wait to hear what you pick

 

[wdwfam]

Another sheltie owner here. I totally agree with the previous posts about shelties. They are very loyal to family, and they bark when someone comes onto your property (or your neighbor's property). They need exercise! Walking has become part of our daily routine.They are very intelligents dogs. Grooming takes about 10 minutes twice a week. Good luck in your choice.

 

[airhead]

Thank you!
But... do they bark TOO much?

yup,they do. Also,be prepared to groom your dog!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If you are not going to hunt with the Pointer, I would steer you away from that. It is in their blood and you would have to challenge a dog like that for it to be happy.

You can do hunting competitions if you do not hunt.

I would say the Sheltie sounds more like your style.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

just some pics

he adjusted very well to the snow, funiest thing when he runs in it




I just have to add how surpirsed I was to see you were considering a Sheltie. There just not a popular dog so its nice to see so many owners on here

 

[swald91]

I can't speak for the sheltie breed, but we were watching a pointer (brown w/ white spots-I'm 95% sure it was a pointer) for my brother -he was going to keep the dog- anyway, he was trained to turn a door knob to get out if he wanted. Problem-on the 2nd floor the door had a pull handle-he couldn't open it the way he was used too-he chewed the moulding around the door frame -still couldn't get out then jumped out the window. He broke 2 legs & had some internal injuries...when we brought him to the vet he said it looked like one he used to breed & he wanted to keep the dog-so it turned out ok. He was being treated by a vet at no cost to us-and I'm sure made a full recovery!!

 

[candykisses]

Our sheltie just passed two weeks ago and I can't even begin to tell you what a void there is in our family.

Shelties do bark, even when someone they know enters their territory, that's their nature. Is it too much? Sometimes, but I would get another one in a heartbeat.

They're smart, playful, affectionate and just a great family member. Very easy to groom. I used a slicker for about 10 minutes a day and Magoo's hair was never matted.

As a side note..my brother lived with us for several months while he was having chemo. He also developed asthma during that time. He and Magoo were watching TV in the family room and my brother had such a severe asthma attach that he couldn't move or call out. Magoo woke up the rest of the family, to get my brother help or he certainly would have died.

 

[auntie]

We had our first Sheltie for 13 years...my kids grew up with him. I wanted a dog that wasn't too big. At the time we had a 3 year old, and 7 year old and a 13 year old. I wanted something that wouldn't knock over the little ones, but my son who was 13 didn't want a "pocket" type dog. Sheltie was a perfect solution. Small enough for the little kids, but not to fragile that you had to worry they would hurt it. Big enough that my 13 year old son wasn't embarrassed to walk down the street with it. The dog was about 27 to 30 lbs. As I mentioned, my kids grew up with him. They named him Shadow..after the Disney movie Homeward Bound. The kids grew up..and Shadow started out as being the dog of our older 'boy", yet that boy became a man and moved out. As time passed Shadow became the loyal pup of the youngest boy. The one he used to herd in the yard as a toddler..and keep him from escaping as he so often liked to do. Yep...he kept his boy safe and rescued him from trouble. That boy would return the favor and when Shadow was too old to climb the stairs, his boy would carry him up the steps each evening so his pup could still lie by his bed. Then carry him down the next morning. Amazing how much a part of the family our pets become. When Shadow passed away, the house was so empty..and our hearts broken.
I never thought we'd get another dog. Yet...my youngest son was barely three when we first got Shadow..and well, he missed having a dog in the house and wanted to experience having a puppy. Sooo...we did get another pup. Naturally a Sheltie. We did get a sable (the Lassie color) this time around..as Shadow was a black and brown Sheltie. We didn't want to make too many comparisions. This new guy..his name is Toby.

I know it's crazy to say this..but honestly..I'm not a "dog" person. Yeah..I know I've had two dogs. Only honestly...Shelties are very smart, and very sweet. They are easy to train..and very obdient. As far as grooming...we brush the dog maybe once a week. Maybe we should have him groomed more often..but at this point we only take him every 5 or six months to the groomer. They don't shed alot. In fact..you have to brush them..and pull the fur off. My brother has a lab..sheds WAY more than the sheltie. My mom has a pug..and man she's covered in dog hair. You would think the short haired dogs would shed less. I've found it to be just the opposite with the shelties. Now I've heard people with Collies deal with a lot of shedding. While the Shelties look like a minature Collies..they don't shed neary as much as the Collies do.
As far as barking..our first Sheltie hardly barked at all. This time around..this guy barks a bit more compared to our first...but mostly if someone comes to the door. That sort of thing. I have not found that either of them barked without reason. I have neighors on either side of me with dogs that are waaay..yappier than ours is. I don't know how they can stand it.

Just a word about a rescue...while I know it's a wonderful idea...be aware that you might be getting a dog that has problem..or has an issue. I'm just not sure I'd want to go that route with young children involved. There's a reason it's in a rescue. It's not always because the owner couldn't take care of the dog. Please..no flames...God Bless those that do get rescue pets. (my neighbor has two greyhound rescues)..I'm just pointing out that a resuce dog may take more time and patience, and with young children in the home, it's a lot to take on. If that's not a problem..then by all means go for it. I would also please ask that you not go to a pet store to purchase a dog. My older son has worked in a well known chain when he was a teen. These stores get them from puppy mills...NO MATTER WHAT THEY TELL YOU. THEY LIE.. Even if all goes well..(which is a big if from a pet store)..but you're putting money into the pockets of people who breed these animals in deplorable conditions until they die.
Look in your paper or on line for a local breeder..or even someone who has a pet quality Sheltie and bred it with another. Your not looking for a show dog..but a family pet. Good luck with your decision. You will never regret getting a Sheltie. They are loyal loving familiy oriented dogs.

 

[bonybroad]

CANDYKISSES
I am only 20 minutes from you!
Know any local sheltie breeders??
How small is this world!?!

 

[MinnieMe87]

Our sheltie just passed two weeks ago and I can't even begin to tell you what a void there is in our family.

Shelties do bark, even when someone they know enters their territory, that's their nature. Is it too much? Sometimes, but I would get another one in a heartbeat.

They're smart, playful, affectionate and just a great family member. Very easy to groom. I used a slicker for about 10 minutes a day and Magoo's hair was never matted.

As a side note..my brother lived with us for several months while he was having chemo. He also developed asthma during that time. He and Magoo were watching TV in the family room and my brother had such a severe asthma attach that he couldn't move or call out. Magoo woke up the rest of the family, to get my brother help or he certainly would have died.

I agree with everything described about the Shelties in this post! Ours were wonderful! We got ours when I was about 4ish I think and they kept up with us kids with no problem! They definitely warned us if someone was coming up on the porch, but I don't ever remember their barks being out of control. Our neighbors had a brother of one of our Shelties and he barked a lot. I found a new favorite breed in the Boston Terrier, but I wouldn't mind owning a Sheltie in the future!

 

[clh2]

My suggestion is find a sheltie rescue, pick out a few and then let one of them chose you.

As odd as this sounds...letting the chose you is the way to go! Sounds odd...I know. I swear that our dog picked our family out. And albeit, he isn't a perfect dog...he is the perfect dog for us. Hope that makes sense!

 

[bonybroad]

Well, my husband just read the responses.
Apparently, all us "Mickey freaks" think alike!
He thinks I somehow rigged the responsed to be in my favor.

He just hates to lose.
And we had already agreed on a name no matter what dog we get...
Starts with M ends with ICKEY!