Shetland Sheepdogs take the fluffy aesthetic to a whole other level with their long almost feathery-looking fur. They are absolutely beautiful to say the least and this no doubt has something to do with why they ranked as the 25th most popular dog breed according to the American Kennel Club’s latest ranking in 2020.
The price of a Sheltie can range from $1,200 to $3,000. These energetic dog breeds are very beautiful and in high demand because of this. Monthly cost can easily reach $200 due high grooming maintenance and food and treats requirement to supplement their energy level. On top of that, they are known to have separation anxiety and require a lot of mental simulation and activity, so they will demand a lot of your time too.
Before you consider bringing one of these furry beauties home with you, here is everything you need to know about the actual cost of owning a Sheltie. The first and most important thing is understanding why they are so expensive.
How Much Does It Cost To Buy A Sheltie?
With the $2,500 to $6,000 price range, Shelties are actually quite expensive.
The good thing is that, for the most part, they are actually worth the investment. Here are a few of the main things that cause and somewhat justify the price you will have to pay for a Sheltie.
Great Family Dogs
One of the main reasons why Shelties are in such high demand is how good they are as family dogs. They tend to get along really well especially with young children whom they are very patient with and protective over. They are also known for being gentle with other pets especially when socialized from an early age.
Relatively Rare
Shelties are relatively rare. They are not the type of rare that has some dog breeds classified as exotic or even endangered. However, they are not always easy to come by in most parts of the US or the world in general.
This, paired with the demand, is one of the main justifications given by the few breeders to breed Shelties for their high price.
Compact, Manageable Size
Another reason why Shelties are so popular and subsequently expensive is their size. With their medium build, there is nowhere these dogs cannot fit in and be comfortable. It could be that small starter apartment in the city or a large, country estate with plenty of open, outdoor space.
Beautiful Aesthetic
Aesthetics also play a huge role in determining the popularity and price of Shelties. In a day and age of designer and accessory dogs, unique aesthetics like those in this dog breed are considered prized features.
What’s The Lifespan Of A Sheltie?
A Sheltie can live for 12 to 13 years.
However, there have been cases of longer lifespan with the oldest living Sheltie making it to 20 years of age. This is quite impressive not only for the breed but for a dog in general.
Shelties weigh between 11 to 25 pounds on average and are typically active and healthy dogs. However, they still suffer from a number of health issues here and there. Here are a few of these including the most common diseases that Shelties die from.
Cancer
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Shelties. The main type is bladder cancer but they can have tumors in any system. If not caught and treated early, the conditions are usually fatal. That is why it is so important to have and stick to a regular vet visit schedule.
Dermatomyositis
This disease commonly affects Shelties but is still very commonly missed as a diagnosis. It causes irritation of both the skin and muscles resulting in fur loss and weakness. Good grooming and a healthy diet go a long way towards helping with recovery and relief of some of the symptoms.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
This is the most common bleeding disorder in dogs. It affects different breeds differently. With Shelties, the disease is often very debilitating and has been shown to shorten their lifespan.
Hip Dysplasia
This is a genetic condition that affects the hip joint in Shelties. Most breeders selectively breed out the trait. This is why more expensive Sheltie pups often do not have the problem.
How To Take Care Of Shelties?
Shelties are relatively low maintenance.
Shelties are actually among the cheapest dog breeds to maintain in their price range and even in lower price ranges. With a $1,000 to $2,000 budget a year, you should be able to take care of most of their basic needs.
If you want to save a little on this, it is important that you establish an efficient care routine that works for you and your furry best friend. Here are some ideas that should help.
Invest In Good Dog Food
Food is one of the biggest expenses when taking care of a Sheltie. They may not be the biggest of dogs but they are very energetic and therefore have very high appetites.
In order to keep up with these needs without spending too much, you need to invest in dog food that uses high quality ingredients with a filling and healthy balance of nutrients. We recommend you try Pet Plate for all this and so much more.
Supplement The Diet With Multivitamins And Other Micronutrients
Vitamins play a huge role when it comes to the Sheltie’s health and wellbeing. Something as simple as bone and joint supplements (glucosamine) or multivitamins for immune boosting functions could save you a lot on vet services.
Set Aside Time To Play And Exercise
A Sheltie needs at least 1 hour of playtime every day or even more if you can afford to spare the time. However, if yours has joint problems you may want to keep it between 30 to 60 minutes to avoid discomfort and worsening the condition.
Can A Sheltie Be Left Alone? Temperament Of Shelties
Shelties are the kind of dogs that just fit in anywhere they go from bachelor or bachelorette pads to homes with large families. This is largely due to their very endearing and social personalities. Here are a few other traits that you have to look forward to with the breed.
Responsive And Easy To Train
Shelties are considered the sixth of the smartest dog breeds. This makes the dogs very easy to train. You can actually comfortably do it yourself if you have the right tools to work with. We recommend you try the Brain Training for Dogs program for all the help you will need. Furthermore, set aside about $50 to $100 on toys and special training equipment.
Vocal
One thing you might have to get used to is all the noise. These dogs are very vocal and will whine, howl, bark, or even “sing” to express themselves in different situations. Fortunately, it is easy to train a Sheltie not to bark or stop them when they do as they are very obedient. However, if you want to keep them as watchdogs then you don’t really have to stop the habit.
Affectionate
Shelties are very big on showing affection whether it is cuddling with their favorite humans or following you around just to be close to you. They therefore need homes where they receive the same love and attention they give in order to stay happy. This also makes it difficult to leave a Sheltie home alone.
Lively And Playful
Shelties tend to be very playful. They sometimes get carried away with things like playful biting and chasing which is sometimes misconstrued for aggression.
Is It OK To Shave A Sheltie? Grooming Tips For Shelties
Grooming is easily one of the most expensive aspects of care and maintenance of a Sheltie. In a year, you may end up paying $250 to $300 for professional grooming services or even more.
The good news is that you can actually save a lot of money by doing most of the work yourself. And the best part is that Shelties are generally very cooperative, so these fluffy pooches will not give you too hard of a time.
If you choose to go this route, here are some of the key care and maintenance tips that will help.
Brush The Coat 3 To 4 Times A Week
Shelties are known for their beautiful coats which grow to full length and thickness by the time they are 3 to 5 years old. They shed heavily throughout the year and need to be brushed at least 3 to 4 times every week.
Give Them A Bath Every 2 Months
Fortunately, Shelties do not tend to smell and generally have very healthy coats. As a result, you do not have to wash them very frequently to prevent odors. In fact, a bath every 2 months should be enough.
Trim The Coat Once A Year
Sheltie coats may be lovely but they can sometimes be a bit too much to handle. This is the case especially with fur on and around the paws that could cause tripping and slipping. Yearly trims around these problem areas make the world of a difference. However, it is best in this case to leave it to a professional to avoid damaging the coat.
Related Questions
Is A Sheltie A Small Or Medium Dog? Shelties are medium dogs but a bit on the smaller side of the spectrum compared to other medium dog breeds. At maturity, they weigh between 11 and 24 pounds and measure about 13 to 16 inches in height. This compact build is part of their appeal as it makes them versatile and adaptable to different settings.
Why Are Shelties So Skittish? The skittish nature that most Shelties demonstrate has a lot to do with the dog breed’s naturally reserved and sensitive personality. One way to make them more comfortable would be early socialization. It is also important to handle them with love and tenderness and avoid harsh punishment at all costs.
Why Do Shelties Run In Circles? Shelties run in circles for a number of reasons. Here are a few of the most common ones.
- They may do it out of happiness and excitement especially when welcoming their favorite humans.
- They may do it out of boredom and mental frustration due to lack of adequate stimulation.
- It could be psychological issues including separation anxiety and other phobias.
