Alright, let’s yak about them Shetland Sheepdog and German Shepherd mix dogs, you know, the ones they call Sheltie Shepherds or whatever fancy names they got. I ain’t no expert, but I’ve seen a thing or two, and I can tell ya what’s what.
First off, these dogs, they ain’t just any mutts. You got the German Shepherd side, big and strong, smart as a whip, always wanting to work and keep busy. Then you got the Sheltie part, small but quick, always yapping and herding everything in sight – chickens, kids, even your darn feet!
Mix them together and what you get? A dog that’s kinda in-between, I guess. Not too big, not too small. Smart, yep, real smart. But that also means they need somethin’ to do, or they’ll get bored and tear up your house faster than a squirrel in a cornfield.
- Trainin’ ’em: Now, trainin’ these dogs, that’s important. You gotta start ’em young, show ’em who’s boss, and be consistent. Don’t let ’em get away with nothin’. Use treats, lots of treats, and praise ’em up real good when they do somethin’ right. Positive stuff, you know? Yellin’ and beatin’ ain’t gonna do nothin’ but make ’em scared and mean.
- Feedin’ ’em: Just like us, these dogs gotta eat good. Not that cheap, crappy stuff, but somethin’ with meat and veggies, you know, somethin’ that’ll keep ’em healthy and strong. Don’t overfeed ’em though, or they’ll get fat and lazy. And always make sure they got fresh water, especially in the summer when it’s hot.
These Sheltie Shepherd mixes, they’re usually pretty good with kids, but you gotta watch ’em, especially when they’re pups. They might try to herd the little ones, nipping at their heels and stuff. Gotta teach ’em that’s not okay.
And other animals? Well, it depends. Some are fine with cats and other dogs, but some ain’t. It’s all in how they’re raised, I reckon. If you get ’em used to other critters when they’re young, they’ll probably be alright. But if they ain’t seen another animal ’til they’re grown, well, then you might have some problems.
Groomin’ is another thing you gotta think about. Both German Shepherds and Shelties, they shed a lot. So, you’re gonna be doin’ a lot of brushin’, probably every day if you want to keep your house from lookin’ like a fur factory. And bathin’ ’em, too, every now and then, especially if they get into somethin’ stinky.
Now, about health problems. Every dog breed has its own set of troubles, and these mixes ain’t no different. They can get hip problems, eye problems, skin problems, you name it. So, you gotta take ’em to the vet regular, get ’em checked out, make sure they’re healthy. And if somethin’s wrong, get it taken care of right away, don’t wait ’til it’s too late.
Another thing, these dogs, they need exercise, lots of it. A quick walk around the block ain’t gonna cut it. They need to run, play, fetch, use up all that energy. If you got a big yard, that’s great. If not, you gotta take ’em to the park, let ’em run around, get their wiggles out. A tired dog is a good dog, that’s what I always say. If they don’t get enough exercise, they gonna start acting up, barking all the time, chewing on your furniture and slippers.
Mental stimulation, that’s important too. These ain’t no dummies, remember? You gotta keep their brains busy, or they’ll find somethin’ to do on their own, and you probably ain’t gonna like it. Puzzle toys, training games, that kind of stuff, it all helps.
So, to sum it up, these Shetland Sheepdog and German Shepherd mix dogs, they can be great companions, but they ain’t for everyone. They need a firm hand, lots of training, plenty of exercise, and a good dose of patience. If you can give ’em all that, then you’ll have a loyal friend for life. But if you ain’t ready for the work, then maybe you should think about gettin’ a goldfish instead.
One more thing, I’ve heard some folks callin’ mixes with poodles somethin’ like “Sheltiedoodles”. Now, that’s a whole ‘nother story. Poodles got their own set of needs and quirks, so you mix that with a Sheltie and a German Shepherd, and who knows what you’ll end up with. But that’s for another day’s yapping, I suppose.
Anyways, that’s all I got to say about these Sheltie Shepherd dogs. Hope it helps ya some.
