Raising dogs, especially taking care of the shetland sheepdog, is a specialty of people across the globe. Some historians speculate dogs were domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and twenty five thousand years ago—and that all canines evolved from wolves. Since those days, human beings have selectively bred more than 400 breeds, which range in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-foot stature has earned them the distinction of the tallest dog. But the most popular dogs are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The shetland sheepdog is also a favorite choice with canine owners. Many owners are uninformed, however, of some critical shetland sheepdog care tips.
Cost of care for your shetland sheepdog
The yearly cost of rearing the shetland sheepdog—which includes nutrition, veterinary care, toys and license—could vary between $420 and $780. This doesn’t even include capital expenses for spay/neuter operations, dog collar and a leash, a dog carrier and a crate. Note: Make sure you have obtained all the necessary items before you get your shetland sheepdog home.
Basic shetland sheepdog Care
shetland sheepdog Feeding Outline
- shetland sheepdog puppies between eight and twelve weeks need 4 meals in a day.
- Feed shetland sheepdog puppies three to 6 months old 3 meals every 24 hour period.
- Feed pups 6 months old to 1 year two times every twenty-four hours.
- When your shetland sheepdog hits his first birthday, 1 feeding daily is usually sufficient.
- Some adult shetland sheepdogs, however, eat two lighter bowls. It is your duty to learn your shetland sheepdog’s eating schedule.
Top-quality dry food ensures a balanced diet to adult shetland sheepdogs and can mix with water, canned food, or broth. Your shetland sheepdog may also enjoy cooked eggs, cottage cheese, and fruits and vegetables, but these foods shouldn’t be more than ten percent of his daily food allowance. shetland sheepdog pups need to be fed top-quality, name brand puppy food. You should try to limit “table food”, however, since it can cause mineral and vitamin imbalances, bone and teeth concerns, and might result in very picky eating habits and obesity. Clean, potable water should be made only, and make certain to wash water and food bowls frequently.
shetland sheepdog Care Tips: Your shetland sheepdog needs exercise daily
shetland sheepdogs need daily exercise so they can stay in shape, stimulate their brains, and stay healthy. Daily exercise also seems to help shetland sheepdogs avoid boredom, which can lead to difficult behavior. Going outside would appease many of your shetland sheepdog’s instinctual urges to dig, chase, herd, chew and retrieve. Exercise needs will depend on your shetland sheepdog’s level of health and his age—but just a walk down the street every day and 10 minutes outside probably won’t be sufficient. If your shetland sheepdog is a six to eighteen month adolescent, her requirements will probably be higher.
shetland sheepdog Grooming Tips
You can help keep your shetland sheepdog clean and reduce shedding with brushing. Inspect for ticks and fleas every day during the summer or other warm weather. Many shetland sheepdogs don’t need to be bathed more than a few times during the year. Before the bath, comb or cut out any and all mats from the shetland sheepdog’s hair. Rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap residue.
Handling Your shetland sheepdog
Pups are clearly easier to manage. While carrying the shetland sheepdog pup, take 1 hand and place it under your dog’s chest, either with the forearm or other hand supporting her hind legs and rear. Don’t ever try to lift or grab your puppy by his or her front legs, back of the neck or tail. When you must pick up a larger, adult shetland sheepdog, pick it up from underneath, supporting her chest with 1 of your arms and rear end with the other.
Housing your shetland sheepdog
Your shetland sheepdog needs a cozy peaceful location to be able to sleep apart from all the breezes and off the ground or floor. You may wish to think about buying a doggie bed, or make one from a wooden box. Put a clean blanket, sheet, comforter, or pillow in the bed as cushion. Wash your shetland sheepdog’s bed covering frequently. If the shetland sheepdog will be outdoors frequently, make certain he has access to plenty of cool water and shade in the summer, and a warm, dry, covered area when it’s cold.
shetland sheepdog Identification
There are licensing regulations to follow in your town. You should attach the license to the shetland sheepdog’s collar. This, along with an identification tag or tattoo, will most likely help you recover your shetland sheepdog if he happens to go missing.
Facts on shetland sheepdog Behavior
Thoughts on shetland sheepdog Training
Well-mannered, companion shetland sheepdogs can truly be a blessing to own. However, when left untrained, your shetland sheepdog can be troublesome. Training your shetland sheepdog on the basics—”Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, and “Leave it”—strengthens your relationship both with your shetland sheepdog as well as your neighbors. If you’re the owner of a puppy, begin teaching him the appropriate behavior as soon as possible! A snack can be utilized as incentive and a reward. Puppies can start obedience courses when they are adequately vaccinated. Contact your local humane society or SPCA for information about training courses. Invariably you should keep your shetland sheepdog on a leash when, even as a puppy. Just be sure your shetland sheepdog will come back to you whenever you say so. An aggressive or disobedient shetland sheepdog can’t play with others.
Your shetland sheepdog’s Health
shetland sheepdogs should see the vet for a complete check-up, innoculations and heartworm screening annualy, and as soon as possible if she is injured or ill.
About your shetland sheepdog’s Dental Health
While many of us might simply dislike our shetland sheepdog’s halitosis, it’s important to be aware of what it may be telling us. Foul-smelling breath is a symptom that your shetland sheepdog should have an oral examination. Plaque , which is a result of bacteria results in a bad odor that can only be eliminated by professional treatment. Once you have given your shetland sheepdog a cleaning done by a professional, the mouth may be kept healthy by eliminating table food, feeding a special diet focused on maintaining dental health, and brushing regularly. The veterinarian can show you other data for reducing oral ailments as well as halitosis. You should brush your shetland sheepdog’s teeth using a dog paste or a paste made of baking soda and water twice weekly. Brush them with a gauze pad, nylon stocking stretched across your finger, or a child’s soft toothbrush. Sometimes, shetland sheepdogs can develop periodontal disease, also known as an infection between the gum and tooth. Often, teeth loss happens because of periodontal disease. Infections can sometimes also spread to other areas of your shetland sheepdog’s body. Your vet will sometimes brush the shetland sheepdog’s teeth in her typical health examination.
shetland sheepdog Halitosis
Even though dental disease in isolation is not that serious when found early, the foul odors may indicate fairly serious, persistent problems. Intestinal or liver diseases sometimes cause bad breath, while a fruity, sweet smell may frequently be a sign of diabetes. If your shetland sheepdog’s breath smells like urine or ammonia, kidney disease is a possible cause. Any time you determine your shetland sheepdog has foul breath accompanied by other indications of ill health, such as diminished appetite, vomiting or nausea, weight loss, depression, increased urinating or drinking, set up a trip to his vet.
shetland sheepdog Flea and Tick Issues
Daily inspections of your shetland sheepdog for fleas and ticks in the warm seasons are vital. Use a flea comb to find fleas. There are many new technologies of flea and tick elimination. Consult your veterinarian about her recommendations.
Heartworms in shetland sheepdogs
This parasite resides in the heart and is passed from an infested dog to your shetland sheepdog by mosquitoes. Many shetland sheepdogs die yearly due to heartworm infestations. Your shetland sheepdog should have a heartworm screen each and every spring—this is necessary for stopping infections from the earlier year. A once-a-month pill taken during mosquito season will protect your shetland sheepdog. Your shetland sheepdog should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. In some warmer climates, vets advise preemptive heartworm medication year round.
Medications and Poisons
If you’re pondering giving your shetland sheepdog pills that was not prescribed for him by his doctor, don’t do it. For example, did you know that just one ibuprofen caplet causes stomach ulcers in some dogs Make sure your shetland sheepdog is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. Be sure you contact your shetland sheepdog’s veterinarian if you suspect your shetland sheepdog has ingested a toxin. You may also contact the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24 hour help.
shetland sheepdogs: Spaying and Neutering
Female shetland sheepdogs should be spayed—which is the extraction of the uterus and ovaries—and males neutered—removal of the testes—by 6 months old. You will greatly diminish your female’s breast cancer risk by spaying prior to adulthood. The possibility of a sick uterus, which is also a serious affliction that impacts more mature females, can be eliminated by spaying while young. Neutering males eliminates the risk of prostate diseases, certain aggressive behavior and some hernias.
Vaccinating your shetland sheepdog
- The combo vaccine (also known as a “five-in-1 shot”) must be given to your shetland sheepdog at 2, 3, and four months of age and then once per year. This innoculation protects your pup from hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and distemper. The shetland sheepdog puppy’s innoculation program cannot be finished before 4 months old.
- If your shetland sheepdog has not been innoculated and is older than 4 months, she will need 2 immunizations immediately, two to three weeks apart. Then you must vaccinate annualy.
- Your shetland sheepdog puppy’s socialization should coincide with his innoculation program. You can take your shetland sheepdog pup to socialization courses as early as 8 or 9 weeks of age, according to many vets. At this point, they should have received at least their first immunizations.
Regulations vary so much between different areas, that it’s best to call your community veterinarian about rabies innoculation information. For instance, New York City statutes state that pets older than 3 months must be innoculated for rabies. The first rabies immunization must be followed up by a subsequent vaccination a year later, and then every three years after that. There are several innoculations, many of which are right for your shetland sheepdog. Others, however, are not. Your veterinarian can give you his opinion. By the way, if your shetland sheepdog gets ill because she is not properly innoculated, do not give the shots until the dog has made a full recovery.
Tapeworms in shetland sheepdogs
shetland sheepdogs are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—especially in rural areas. Tiny eggs created by hookworms and roundworms are passed in an infected shetland sheepdog’s feces. Most pups, even from healthy mothers in good homes, carry intestinal worms. An accurate, early diagnosis is the key to treatment. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed medicine will be successful against your shetland sheepdog’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates roundworms, for example, cannot kill tapeworms. Your vet can best identify the culprit—and decide the right treatment.
Miscellaneous shetland sheepdog Care Tips
shetland sheepdog Supply Checklist
- High-quality dog food and treats designed for shetland sheepdogs and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water dish
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Brush and comb for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with ID tag and license
- Quality leash
- Carrier (for pups)
- Training crate
- Box or dog bed with comforter or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
The following items should never be fed to shetland sheepdogs:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate, coffee, or tea
- Grapes or raisins
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, garlic & chives
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems and unripe fruit
- Dough
The “Bottom” Line
Unless you are at home, or in a secured, fenced-in space, always keep your shetland sheepdog on a leash. Whenever your shetland sheepdog defecates on a neighbor’s grass, his sidewalk or any other public location, please dispose of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about shetland sheepdogs
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