Are Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) Good With Kids? Breed Facts & FAQ
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The Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, is a canine that stays true to its Scottish heritage with intense loyalty, friendliness, and pleasantness. These furry bundles of joy are extremely intelligent and serve as excellent herding dogs in the vast Scottish herding fields. Closer home, Shelties are among the most popular dog breeds in the country, ranking 27th on AKC’s 2022 list of most popular dog breeds in the US.
Despite being sensitive creatures, Shetland Sheepdogs are protective of their families and aren’t afraid to get defensive if necessary. This begs the question of how Shetland Sheepdogs fare with kids.
You’d be pleased to know that Shelties are excellent with kids. Their high energy and loving nature make them the perfect companion for kids. Keep reading to learn more about Shetland Sheepdogs and how they relate to kids.
About Shetland Sheepdogs
The Shetland Dog, or Sheltie, gets its name from the Shetland Islands, an archipelago that lies a few hundred miles north of Scotland. When these dogs aren’t guarding their owner’s bountiful harvest against ravenous birds, they’re busy herding the livestock towards fertile grassland and away from the farming field and gardens.
This dog breeds stands at about 13 to 16 inches tall, with a long, furry coat in black, blue merle, sable, and white. This dense fur coat helps keep these pooches warm in the cold weather. They have sharp, pointy ears on a wedge-shaped head and a heavy-set chest with a level back.
Shelties make excellent medical alert dogs because of their high intelligence and obedience. They’re also loving and affectionate creatures, traits that help promote healing in sick and elderly patients. Aside from helping save lives, Shetland Sheepdogs also excel in sports like rallies and agility courses.
Why Are Shetland Sheepdogs Great With Kids?
Most Sheltie owners trust their pups enough to leave them alone with their kids. Although we wouldn’t recommend doing so, it goes to show just how friendly and affectionate these canines are. Here are a few reasons why Shetland Sheepdogs are so great with kids
They Love to Play
Shelties are usually bursting with energy and are eager to play whenever the opportunity presents itself. While you may find this constant playing and running around tiring, kids are indefatigable when it comes to playing. They’ll spend hours playing with Shelties, take a brief nap, and then get right into it again.
They can play fetch, hide-and-seek, and trick training. However, you might want to take the play outside or they might turn your house upside down. The good news is that Shelties will protect your kids from any strangers looking to harm them.
They’re Loving
Shetland Sheepdogs are extremely loving and sensitive creatures. They’re also smart enough to understand that kids are fragile beings who need the utmost care. However, you might find them occasionally jumping on your kids during play or licking their faces. These are telltale signs of affection and shouldn’t concern you. With time, your kids and your Sheltie will be inseparable.
They Crave Attention
Shetland dogs are sensitive canines that love attention and act up when left alone for too long. While you can’t spend all day with your Sheltie, your kids certainly can. This furry bundle of energy can enjoy the kids’ company to dispel their loneliness and find an outlet to release their energy.
Aside from play, your Sheltie can spend time with the kids on walks, picnics, or brief hikes and exploration adventures. These attention-loving canines likely won’t get enough of your kids, which is excellent if you need a break from the tiny terrors.
They’re Protective and Family-Devoted
Shelties won’t let unscrupulous individuals or threats anywhere near their families. They’ll bark loudly to alert you of an approaching intruder so you can take prompt action or nip people they don’t know.
You can rest easy when your kids play outside with your Sheltie. That’s because the dog will ward off any threats (both animals and humans).
They’re Easy to Train
Kids love teaching their dogs new tricks but easily get frustrated when the dogs don’t catch the drift. Thankfully, Shetland dogs are intelligent and easy to train. Your kids can teach them tricks like fetching, rolling over, and standing on their hind legs.
Dog training is a fun and engaging activity for your dog and the kids. Plus, it strengthens the bonds between your dog and kids and keeps both parties out of trouble. Maybe later you can up the ante by training your Sheltie to perform gymnastics and sign it up for a dog show. Your kids will be ecstatic.
They’re Adorable
Shetland Sheepdogs are beautiful, adorable creatures that are lovely from the top down. No kid wants to play with an aggressive, scary-looking dog that looks eager to attack. Thankfully, Shelties are a ball of fluffy cuteness, with a thick coat of fur that makes them absolutely lovable.
Your kids will enjoy taking pictures of and with your Sheltie during trips and hikes. After playing their hearts out, they’ll enjoy cuddling up with the dog before waking up to continue their playful antics.
When Should I Not Let My Sheltie Play With Kids?
Shetland Sheepdogs are certainly amicable creatures that love kids. However, there are certain instances when you should restrict play between the two. They include.
When It Shows Signs of Aggression
Act quickly when you notice your Sheltie showing signs of aggression towards your kids. These signs may include growling, baring its teeth, and hostile barking. The dog might perceive your child as a threat, or your kid might have done something to disturb its peace. Either way, it’s best to stop the play immediately before your child gets hurt.
When Your Child Is Playing Too Roughly
Dogs have feelings, too, so stop the play immediately if you notice your child playing too roughly with your Sheltie. Don’t let your child pull the dog’s fur or hit it hard with anything. This is not only animal abuse, but the dog might attack in anger and frustration.
The 4 Tips for Letting Your Kids Play Safely With Your Shetland Sheepdog
Shelties get along with kids, but that’s no reason to leave them unsupervised. Although rare, rough play may trigger aggression in your Sheltie and put your child at risk. Here are a few tips to help you avoid this unpleasant scenario.
1. Socialize Your Pup Early On
Ensure your Sheltie interacts with kids from an early age, preferably when still a puppy. Doing so allows your furry friend to interact with different people, understand their emotions, and how they should behave during these interactions.
Training an adult Sheltie is also possible, especially since it’s a highly trainable breed. Gradually, the dog will start to understand kids’ behavior and know how to act when around kids or when playing with them.
2. Use Positive Reinforcement
Employ positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior when your Sheepdog interacts with kids. You can shower them with praise or give them a delicious treat when they act appropriately. With time, the dog will learn what is expected when interacting with kids.
3. Acclimatize Them to Your Kids’ Scents and Sounds
With up to 300 million nose receptors, scent is the easiest way for your Sheltie to identify and get more familiar with your kids.
This is especially crucial if you’re expecting a new baby in the household. Cautiously allow the pooch to sniff your baby and catch its scent. Over time, your Sheltie will understand that you have a new family member and love them unconditionally.
4. Lay Down Strict Ground Rules
Ensure nothing gets out of hand when your Sheltie plays and interacts with your kids. For starters, don’t allow the dog to eat off your kids’ plates and vice-versa. Also, keep the dog’s toys away from your kids. Remember, kids will put anything in their mouths, including toys that your Sheltie might have been chewing on for quite some time.
Dangerous pathogens, such as Salmonella and E. coli, can be passed from dogs to humans.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Shetland Sheepdogs are excellent with kids of all ages and make the best furry companions. If you were reluctant about getting a Sheltie because of your kids, you have nothing to worry about. In fact, they’re likely to be the best of friends and will add liveliness and cheer to your home. So, what are you waiting for? Adopt a Shetland Sheepdog today!
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Featured Image Credit: Vagengeim, Shutterstock
