Sheltie Talk - Hear Our Shelties Sing!

By Becky Turner

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What is the Sheltie talk? To me, it's just about any noise a Sheltie makes that isn't a bark or a whine - and is, without question, absolutely adorable.

Shetland Sheepdogs can easily be trained to be obedient, quiet dogs. But without such training, they can be real barkers - it's their instinct to be on guard and warn of potential intruders. This includes cats, birds, children and house guests... (Howard used to bark every time he saw / heard / thought about the neighbor's cat!)

However, once they get barking out of their system, Shelties can engage in a lot of dog talk. They make strange but beautiful noises that to us sound like they are singing. In fact, some dog breeds seem just too quiet in comparison...

Piper's Sheltie Talk

Here's a short video montage of Piper demonstrating one particular type of Sheltie talk. I've been dashing for my video camera every time he starts doing it. He loves to give a deep, guttural bellow every time he yawns... I saved the best clip until last, when he breaks into quite a Sheltie's sing song!

 

 

Howard and Piper: Dog Talk

Another type of Sheltie talk often happens late at night when our boys are playing a lazy game together. The game involves lying on the bed and trying to gnaw each other, while making ridiculously cute noises that have been described as "fearsome", "beastly" and "terrifying" by outside observers. Howard and Piper think they look quite fierce with their teeth bared - and the vocalizations will chill your soul!

I have tried to catch this on camera in stealth mode so many times but they always catch onto me and stop all hilarious growly noises. I guess this is one Sheltie talk reserved for live performances only.

Why do Shelties Sing?

There is a good reason why these sweet little dogs decide to break into song for us. They do it to convey emotions.

Like humans, dogs have their own communication system, although scientists don't really recognize it as actual speech. It is a basic language that can be instinctively recognized, which many mammals display. For instance, dog talk includes several types of growls - from the fierce, menacing growl meaning "back off!" to the softer, playful growl which means "come on then!" in a mock fight.

From our experience, the Sheltie talk is generally an attention seeking trick. If I've spent too long at my computer without giving the dogs any attention, Piper will come and tell me so with one of his singing yawns. Equally, if it's 6pm and I still haven't given the dogs their dinner, Howard will come and whine and pat me on the knee to remind me of my duties.

In any case, the Sheltie talk is a really endearing trait, and can be a useful way for our Shetland Sheepdogs to communicate their needs.