8) Shelties come in many different colors: Sable & white, blue merle, bi black, bi blue, tri color and even sable merle. The only colors that blue eyes are usual or allowed on are the blue merle, sable merle and bi blue.
9) Marking (how much white and where the white is at) varies from dog to dog. It is next to impossible to breed and get specific markings in the whole litter of puppies.
10) Also, markings do not decide if a dog is pet or show quality. Just because a dog has a white blaze down his face, a white tip on the tail, white up the legs and a full white collar does not make the dog show quality. Yes, it might make the dog more flashy in the show ring but it doesn't make the dog a show dog. Many Champions do not have the white blaze, white up all the legs or even a full white collar.
11) Structure, Size and showmanship and how the dog measures up to the AKC breed standard are the important factors in deciding if a dog is show or pet quality.
12) Shelties come in many sizes. The breed standard says that a sheltie is not to be under 13 inches at the shoulder and not over 16 inches. In the show ring a dog under 13 inches or over 16 inches will be disqualified. Which is one reason why there are so many stunning shelties out there that are just pets. This is one of the dividing factors on rather or not a dog is a show dog or just a great pet; but doesn't make the dog any less beautiful, will bred or a great member to your family. There are many that are under or over the desired size range.
13) Also, it is important to note that even though the standard says that shelties of the desired range are show able it does not mean that it will be easy or even possible in some cases to finish their championship. A dog that is closer to 13 or 16 will be much harder to attain a championship on.
14) There is no such thing as a "Toy" or "Mini" Sheltie. A sheltie is just a sheltie no matter their size.
15) Shelties are a breed that can excell in many venues. They are top obedience, agility, rally, tracking and herding dogs. They also make excellent conformation show dogs as well. In order for a dog to be shown in conformation and bred it has to be extremly close to the AKC standard and should improve the breed by producing litters. No dog is perferct but some faults are worse than others. So often you will see a stunning sheltie being offered as a pet only even though both parents are champions and the puppy looks like it could be as well. What you don't realize is that this stunning puppy may not be the correct size for his age, might have a slight bite problem or a number of other faults that make him a pet and not a show dog. These faults no matter how slight they are will not affect the puppy as a companion animal but do however put them out of being show quality. This puppy however can be shown in performance events such as obedience. agility, herding ect even though he is a pet and neutered. He just can't be bred or shown in conformation thats it.
16) Shelties are supposed to be reserved towards strangers that is considered the correct temperment according to AKC for this breed. They are not a breed that should automatically be all over you when they just met you. However, they should not be aggressive, overally shy/ skittish or crowering in the corner growing or something like that. Just more of a lets get to know each other first type of attitude. Shelties are extremley loyal to their family so they tend to be reserved towards people they don't know until they are sure the new person is not going to hurt them or most importantally their family. This does make a sheltie and excellent watch dog and they will alert you if something is off or someone is in your yard and so on.
17) Shelties tend to do great with all members of the family including other dogs, cats, people, children. Even guinea pigs and rabbits (mine were raised with them at one time and never once did I have a problem).
18) This breed does best with a family that wants another member to add to their unit. These should be inside dogs not outside. They should be considered basically another child.
19) The right family for this breed will take the time to train and properly socialize the puppy (shelties really tend to do well in obedience and are quite smart).
20) It should be noted that young children should always be supervised with puppies/dogs no matter the breed. Since what kids often see as playing tends to be considered mean, hurtful, aggressive or overally dominate to a puppy/dog.
