Okay, so I’ve been thinking about mixing dog breeds for a while now, and I finally took the plunge. I decided to go with a Shetland Sheepdog and Golden Retriever mix, and let me tell you, it’s been an adventure!
First off, I did a bit of digging online about both breeds. I mean, you gotta know what you’re getting into, right? Shelties are known for being all herdy and smart, and Goldens are just the sweetest, most lovable goofballs around. I figured, what could go wrong? Famous last words, maybe.
Then came the fun part – finding a breeder. I looked around, talked to a few people, checked out a bunch of cute puppy pics, you know, the usual. Finally found one that seemed legit and had healthy-looking pups.
I went to visit, and oh boy, were they adorable! A whole bunch of fluffy little furballs running around. It was hard to choose, but I ended up picking this one little guy who just seemed to have a spark in his eyes. We’ll call him Buddy.
Bringing Buddy home was a whole other story. He was a bit nervous at first, which is understandable. New place, new people, the whole shebang. But we took it slow, gave him his own space, and lots of cuddles, of course.
The first few weeks were definitely a learning curve. Potty training was… well, let’s just say there were a few accidents. And the chewing! Oh, the chewing. My shoes, the furniture, even the walls took a bit of a beating. But hey, that’s puppy life, right? We got him some chew toys, and that helped a bit.
Then, it was time to introduce him to the other dogs, and teach him basic commands. It was interesting to see which traits he picked up from each breed. He’s got the herding instinct from the Sheltie side, that’s for sure. Tries to herd the kids, the cats, even us sometimes! But he’s also got that Golden Retriever love of fetching and just being a big cuddle bug.
Now, after the long haul, I can say that Buddy is pretty much house-trained. Still has the occasional accident, but who doesn’t, right? He knows “sit,” “stay,” and “fetch,” though sometimes he gets distracted and just runs off with the ball. And he still has a ton of energy, so we make sure he gets plenty of walks and playtime.
- Bringing him home: Totally exciting, a little scary, but mostly just pure joy.
- Potty training: A test of patience, to say the least. But we got there eventually.
- Chewing phase: RIP to a few pairs of shoes. But we survived.
- Training: He’s a smart cookie, but also easily distracted. Typical puppy stuff.
- Personality: A perfect mix of playful, energetic, and super affectionate.
All in all, it’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. This Shetland Sheepdog Golden Retriever mix is the best decision I ever made. He’s a goofy, loving, and sometimes crazy dog, but he’s my goofy, loving, and crazy dog. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every day is an adventure with him, and it is tiring, but fulfilling.
