Caring for Your Sheltie's Health
Take care of your Shetland Sheepdog's health with these tips on grooming, diet, exercise, oral health, genetic disorders, de-sexing, and vaccinations.
![How to Groom a Sheltie](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/how-to-groom-a-shetland-sheepdog.webp)
How to Groom a Sheltie
The double coat of a Sheltie needs frequent grooming. Here's my guide to systematically de-shedding the undercoat and untangling mats.
![How to Clean Your Sheltie's Teeth](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/how-to-clean-your-shelties-teeth-tips.webp)
Clean Your Sheltie's Teeth
Dogs get tooth decay just like us. Here's how to protect your Sheltie's teeth with brushing, dental chews, and water additives.
![What is The Best Dog Food for Shelties?](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/what-is-the-best-dog-food-for-shelties.webp)
The Best Dog Food for Shelties
An in-depth review of the best dog food for Shelties, examining toxic ingredients, healthy kibbles, raw diets, and oral health.
![Genetic Diseases in Shelties](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/genetic-diseases-in-shelties.webp)
Genetic Diseases in Shelties
The Sheltie gene pool is more prone to genetic diseases of the eyes, skin, knees, hips, and blood.
![Why You Should Never Buy a Puppy From a Pet Store](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/8-reasons-never-to-buy-a-puppy-from-a-pet-store.webp)
Say No to Pet Store Puppies
Pet store puppies often come from puppy mills who skip genetic testing and vet checks to make more profit.
![The Pros and Cons of Neutering a Sheltie](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/pros-and-cons-of-neutering.webp)
The Pros and Cons of Neutering
Neutering a male dog stops him from roaming to impregnate females and reduces the risk of reproductive diseases.
![The Pros and Cons of Spaying a Sheltie](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/pros-and-cons-of-spaying.webp)
The Pros and Cons of Spaying
Spaying a female Sheltie prevents heat cycles and pregnancy, while reducing the risk of reproductive diseases.
![Is Your Sheltie Fat?](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/is-your-sheltie-fat.webp)
Is Your Sheltie Fat?
Vets say 30% of dogs are overweight by 6 months old, leading to higher risk of cancer and heart disease.
![How to Kill Fleas and Ticks on Your Dog](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/how-to-kill-fleas-and-ticks.webp)
Fleas and Ticks on Dogs
Fleas can live in the Sheltie undercoat, sucking blood, causing itching, and laying lay up to 4,000 eggs a time to perpetuate the havoc.
![30 Foods Toxic to Dogs](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/30-foods-that-are-toxic-to-dogs.webp)
30 Foods Toxic to Dogs
Common human foods like grapes, onions, tomatoes, and avocados can cause serious complications in dogs.
![101 Shelties in The Bath](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/101-shelties-in-the-bath-photos.webp)
101 Shelties in The Bath
I asked Sheltie Planet readers to share their funniest photos of dripping wet Shelties in the tub. This is what I got back.
![The Best Dog Beds for Shelties](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/the-best-dog-beds-for-shelties.webp)
Dog Beds for Shelties
The best dog beds for Shelties based on budget, climate, dog's age, health conditions, and more.
What Vaccines Do Shelties Need?
Puppies get their first vaccinations at 6-8 weeks. If you buy a Shetland Sheepdog puppy, take him to the vet on the following schedule to build up robust protection against common infectious diseases:
Age | Essential Vaccines | Optional Vaccines |
6-8 weeks | Distemper, Parvovirus | Bordetella |
10-12 weeks | DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) | Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme Disease |
16-18 weeks | DHPP, Rabies | Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme Disease |
12-16 months | DHPP, Rabies | Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme Disease |
Every 1-2 years | DHPP, Rabies | Coronavirus, Influenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme Disease |
Source: AKC Guide to Puppy Vaccinations
Whether you rescue a Sheltie or buy a Sheltie puppy, make sure you register her with your vet and sign up for reminders when her next vaccinations are due.
To learn more about the wonderful world of Shelties, download my PDF ebook, Shelties: The Complete Pet Owner's Guide - now in its fifth edition.
![20 Things You Need for a New Puppy](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/20-things-you-need-for-a-new-puppy.webp)
20 Things a Puppy Needs
You're getting a new puppy! Praise Wibblesniff! Here's all the essential stuff you need for your new best friend.
![The Best Grooming Tools for Shelties](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/best-dog-brushes-for-shelties.webp)
The Best Brushes for Shelties
The Sheltie's double coat demands specialized dog brushes, ideally a deep de-shedding comb, a fine-toothed comb, and a slicker brush.
![The Shetland Sheepdog FAQ](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/shetland-sheepdog-faq.webp)
The Shetland Sheepdog FAQ
Common questions about Sheltie temperament, intelligence, lifespan, health, grooming, puppies, breeders, adoption, training, and more.
![101 Sheltie Names](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/101-sheltie-names-to-inspire.webp)
101 Sheltie Names
You'll be hollering your Sheltie's name at the dog park for years to come, so rule out Mister Bigglesworth right off the bat.
![Top 10 Most Intelligent Dog Breeds List](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/top-10-most-intelligent-dog-breeds.webp)
10 Intelligent Dog Breeds
Discover the top 10 most intelligent dog breeds in the world today, with a peek at their original working roles.
![How to Stop Destructive Chewing](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/how-to-stop-your-puppy-chewing.webp)
Stop Destructive Chewing
Puppies love to chew. Here's how to teach them what is and what isn't destined for destruction.
![30 Foods Toxic to Dogs](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/30-foods-that-are-toxic-to-dogs.webp)
30 Foods Toxic to Dogs
Common human foods like grapes, onions, tomatoes, and avocados can cause serious complications in dogs.
![Slow Dog Feed Bowls](https://www.sheltieplanet.com/img/slow-feed-dog-bowls.webp)
Slow Dog Feed Bowls
If your Sheltie eats too fast, with bloating and hiccups after meals, then he needs a slow feed dog bowl.