Sheltie Dog Cheats on Treadmill

Does your dog cheat?

Of course, other dogs cheat too. Read my post “A sneaky dog.”

Due to the fact that in the U.S.A. 99% of purebred puppies come from puppy mills, I urge anyone wanting to buy to contact a breed rescue before choosing to buy a puppy. At least 25% of all abandoned dogs in animal shelters are purebreed dogs. Read our “Pet Stores sell 99% puppy mill pups.”

Two decades ago, found our first family dog, Dawn, a keeshond from a local ethical breeder. You can read Dawn’s story of being returned to her ‘ethical breeder” three times. She could have ending up in an animal shelter and destroyed. But our Dawn happened to be born lucky. Born to people who cared more about healthy dogs than profit, people who were willing to buy back every puppy for his or her lifetime!

Dawn (saved from abandonment three times) with our daughter

Keeshonds continue to be one of the few purebred dogs that are not over bred.

Notes on Shelties, Shetland Sheepdogs

These dogs, like keeshonds, seek active lifestyles. Both dog breeds fall into the “Working Dog” category. So to get along well, pet parents of these dogs must be active with them.

 The following is quoted from Wikipedia Shetland Sheepdog

“The Shetland Sheepdog, often known as the Sheltie, is a breed of herding dog. Less favored nicknames are the Toy Collie and the Miniature Collie. They are small dogs, and come in a variety of colors, such as sable, tri-color, and blue merle. They are very intelligent, vocal, excitable, energetic dogs who are always willing to please and work hard. They are partly derived from dogs used in the Shetland Isles for herding small sheep or, just as likely, for chasing sheep and birds out of the crofter’s gardens, along with several very small or toy breeds such as the King Charles Spaniel (not to be confused with the more modern Cavalier King Charles Spaniel), the Pomeranian, and the now extinct Yakki Dog. The breed was formally recognized by The Kennel Club in 1909.

As the name suggests, Shelties can and have been used as sheepdogs and still participate in sheepdog trials to this day. Herding dogs conduct livestock from one place to another by causing fear-flocking and flight behavior. The instinct to herd is primarily a product of breeding. No amount of training can substitute this trait.

Shelties can also be great therapy dogs for those who need comfort or joy during hard times such as those who are victims of natural disasters and those who are in poor health. This breed is rarely aggressive and tends to do well with children and being handled by them.

Activities In their size group, the breed dominates dog agility, obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. Shelties exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials.

According to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University, the Shetland Sheepdog, and many other herding breeds, have a risk of being born with a MDR1 Gene Mutation, with about 15% of individuals affected. Cross-breeds are also affected. Dogs carrying Mdr1-1 share a common ancestor that experienced remarkable evolutionary success, having contributed genetically to at least nine distinct breeds of dog. Due to this genetic mutation, affected dogs may exhibit sensitivity or adverse reactions to many drugs. including Acepromazine, Butorphanol, Doxorubicin, Erythromycin, Ivermectin, Loperamide, Milbemycin, Moxidectin, Rifampin, Selamectin, Vinblastine, and Vincristine.”

Have you ever signed a return to breeder contract?

Have you every raised a keeshond dog or a Sheltie?