Are Shetland Sheepdogs the Most Troublesome Dogs? 8 Common Complaints About Them

your dog gets comfortable.
6 Shelties are Sensitive Dogs
They do best in stable peaceful homes since they react poorly to negative environments.
They tend to pick up on human emotions easily and sense any drama or turmoil happening in the home. Shelties are easily stressed and take notice of your tone with them meaning just a slight raise in your voice can be upsetting.
Of course we cant completely avoid being upset around our dogs! But its important to avoid aversive training techniques and to try not to scold your dog for misbehavior. Instead set them up for success redirect poor behaviors and remove yourself or others if your dog is getting too hyper and nipping heels.
Youll also want to give your pup a place to go when they need to decompress in a quiet environment such as a crate placed in a bedroom. Teach the whole family to leave the dog alone when theyre in their quiet spot.
7 They Have Long Coats that Shed Plentifully
A shelties beautiful coat takes work to upkeep.
Lidia BelyaevaiStock via Getty Images
Youll need to brush your sheltie at least once a week to keep their coat healthy and free of mats. During shedding season twice a year theyll need to be brushed multiple times a week.
Mats can be very painful as they tug on the skin and can cause bruising and skin infections when severe. Shelties also should not be shaved as this damages their double coat. Double coats help dogs heat and cool their bodies protect them from the sun and more!
If youre okay with lots of grooming upkeep but dont like to clean shelties may be the wrong breed for you. They also shed pretty heavily especially during shedding season.
8 Theyre Prone to Health Problems 
Shetland Sheepdogs often have sensitive stomachs and may be fussy eaters.
Lastly Shetland sheepdogs are prone to a variety of health problems. If youre purchasing a puppy from a breeder ensure that both parents have passed the recommended genetic health tests and have CHIC numbers certifying that theyre healthy enough to breed.
Some things to watch for in shelties include
AnxietySensitive stomachHip dysplasiaPatellar luxationEye conditionsThyroid diseaseHeart diseaseDental disease
Remember that all breeds have genetic health issues associated with them and youll never be able to avoid health problems completely.
Before adopting any breed its important to either have a large savings account for veterinary expenses or pet insurance to cover sick and emergency visits. Please keep in
mind that pet insurance often doesnt cover routine care like youd expect from human health insurance.
Overall the primary problems with shelties are their herding instincts causing misbehavior their fur shedding pretty heavily and their clinginess making them difficult to leave alone. They require time and patience to raise but if you can handle this breed theyre the perfect additions to many families!
The photo featured at the top of this post is molkaiStock via Getty Images
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