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
Shetland Sheepdogs have luxurious double coats which need weekly grooming. Here's my guide to de-shedding the undercoat, untangling mats, and trimming the claws.
How to Clean Your Sheltie's Teeth
Many dog owners are oblivious to their dog's tooth decay and periodontitis. Here's how to clean your Sheltie's teeth from a young age and protect her from pain and disease.
The Best Food for Shelties
Here's an in-depth review of the best dog food for Shelties, examining dry dog food ingredients, healthy kibbles, toxic foods, and oral health.
Genetic Diseases in Shelties
Purebred dogs are more susceptible to certain genetic diseases than mixed-breeds. Shelties in particular are more prone to problems of the eyes, skin, knees, hips, and blood.
The Pros and Cons of Neutering
Neutering a male dog means surgically removing the testicles, stopping him from roaming to impregnate females.
The Pros and Cons of Spaying
Spaying a female Sheltie prevents heat cycles and pregnancy, while reducing the risk of several reproductive diseases.
Is Your Sheltie Fat?
Vets say a third of dogs are overweight by 6 months old, producing higher risk of cancer and heart disease, while taking up to a year off life expectancy.
How to Kill Fleas and Ticks
Fleas can live happily in the Sheltie under coat, sucking blood through the skin which causes dreadful itching. Each flea can lay up to 4,000 eggs which perpetuates the havoc.
30 Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs
Even common foods like grapes, onions, tomatoes, and avocados can be toxic to dogs, with effects ranging from stomach upset to death.
101 Shelties in The Bath
When I asked Sheltie Planet readers to share their cutest, funniest and oh-so-sorrowful photos of dripping wet Shelties in the tub, this is what I got back.
Dog Beds for Shelties
Here are the best dog beds for Shelties, accounting for affordability, changes in seasons, your dog's age, health conditions, nervousness, and whether he chews.
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.
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Rebecca Casale is the founder of Sheltie Planet and Science Me. Meet her famous Shetland Sheepdogs Howard and Piper and download Shelties: The Complete Pet Owner's Guide.
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