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Golden Sheltie |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Golden Sheltie |
| The Golden Sheltie is a mixed breed dog. Its parents are the Golden Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the Sheltie. The Golden Retriever is truly man's best friend. Highly intelligent and loyal, the Golden Retriever is a friend to everyone he meets. They have a tendency to shed. The Sheltie looks like a smaller version of a Collie. The dog was originally used to herd livestock such as sheep in Scotland, particularly in the Shetland Islands. The combination of these two breeds gives us the Golden Sheltie, a courageous, intelligent dog that loves its family and is easy to train. |
History of the Golden Sheltie |
| There have been mixed-breed dogs for as long as there have been breeds. Naturally, Golden Retriever and Sheltie mixes existed even before these hybrid dogs got an official name and were intentionally bred. However, while this is testament to the breed's long lineage, it's also quite difficult for people to determine its origin. The closest we can come to knowing when the Golden Sheltie was created is to assume that it was sometime in the last two decades, somewhere in the USA, like all other specific cross-breed dogs. Fortunately, even with the lack of information on the origin of the Golden Sheltie, we can learn more about this hybrid only by examining the parent breeds. As both the Golden Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog are breeds with a long history, we know that both make ideal pets. |
A little of the Golden Retriever |
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| The Golden Retriever has been one of dog lovers' top choices for many years. A friendly, easy-going dog, the Golden Retriever was once primarily a hunter and waterfowl Retriever developed in Scotland on the estate of Sir Dudley Majoribanks, First Lord Tweedmouth. An animal lover, he focused on creating a companion with a disposition suitable for home, field and water. By breeding his dog, Nous, with a Tweed Water Spaniel, he was able to achieve his goal. The Golden Retriever was prized for its ability to bring in waterfowl at long distances, carrying them gently in its strong jaws. Registered with the American Kennel Club in 1925 as the Golden Retriever, this dog was formerly classified as the Flat Coat (Golden). | ||
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| Standard of the Golden Retriever | ||
A little of the Shetland Sheepdog |
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| The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the Sheltie, is a passionate working dog. Known for his ability to herd sheep gently and efficiently, his other charges once included pony, cow and even chicken. Brought to Britain from the Shetland Islands in the early 1900s, the breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1909, but was not classified separately from the Collie until 1914. A highly intelligent dog, they aim to please and are one of the best obedience competitors today. | ||
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| Standard of the Shetland Sheepdog |
Appearance of the Golden Sheltie |
| A medium-sized dog, the Golden Sheltie is often seen in gold, beige, blue merle, sable, black, white or a combination of any of these colors. Its body is long, ending in a slightly curved, well feathered tail. Its coat is long and can be quite silky. His ears may drop like the Golden relative, but are just as often seen erect like the Sheltie. Typically, his muzzle is long and rather pointed. His nose will be black and his eyes dark, with a sparkling expression of amusement and intelligence. Size may vary, depending on dominant parental genes. Feathers will be visible on the Golden Sheltie's legs and belly. Its teeth are well defined and shaped. It has an athletic, agile stance, a natural expectation based on the parents' characteristics and experience as working dogs. |
Temperament of the Golden Sheltie |
| The Golden Sheltie is an affectionate dog that loves to be with its family. He can be a barker and will alert you to the approach of a stranger, but with proper introduction to new people at a young age and at regular intervals, this characteristic should subside. It can herd young children or small animals due to its innate herding instinct. The Golden Sheltie is highly intelligent, likes to please and enjoys doing a job, so obedience training is a good thing for him. |
Needs and activities of the Golden Sheltie |
| The Golden Sheltie will need a moderate amount of daily exercise. He's highly intelligent and loves play that stimulates his mind. He needs vigorous exercise, and you can divide an hour's exercise into two thirty-minute sessions if you wish. Lack of proper exercise can lead to behavioral problems. He loves to carry objects in his mouth, from balls, bones and other toys to tree branches and newspapers. This hybrid can be prone to weight gain, and will make an excellent jogging partner to keep you and him in shape. |
Maintenance of the Golden Sheltie |
| As the Golden Sheltie can have a very long and abundant coat, a thorough weekly brushing, at the very least, is required, and owners are recommended to use a pin brush for weekly grooming. To avoid damaging the coat, spray with water from a spray bottle and brush from the bottom of the coat to the tips. The hair between the ears can become matted, so be sure to brush these carefully too. This hybrid only really needs a bath when it's really dirty, so a routine bath isn't necessary. Particular attention should be paid to the ears, which can harbor moisture, especially if your Golden Sheltie likes to swim. Check them often to make sure they're clean and dry. Brush your Golden Sheltie's teeth at least two or three times a week. It's best to start grooming your hybrid at a young age to get it used to the practice. |
English (United Kingdom)