Sheltie Breeders

Amaley Shelties

Amberlyn Shelties

Dyniques Shelties

Cassbar Shelties

Padona Shelties (email)

SpruceHollow Shelties

You’ve decided to welcome a Sheltie into your family.  Congratulations!  You have just made a decision that will be sure to enrich the lives of your entire family as you enter into the wonderful world of Sheltie ownership.  And now that you have made that decision, finding the right breeder is essential to finding the right Sheltie for your family.

Though we have provided WASSA breeder listings above, there are other Sheltie breeders throughout the province, including several backyard breeders and puppy mills that you need be be aware of. The information below is intended to help you when it comes time to selecting a breeder of your Sheltie. 

So where do you begin?

First and foremost is the health of your puppy:

• Does it appear healthy?

• Are the eyes and nose clear and dry?

• Is the coat soft and shiny?

• Has it been checked and certified healthy by a veterinarian?

• Is it up-to-date on vaccinations and already dewormed?

• Have you seen the parents?  Do they appear healthy?

• Are there any guarantees regarding both the short term health, (the first few days at home), and long term health of your sheltie?

Genetic testing is important!  Although it does not ever guarantee that your puppy will end up with a genetic disorder, it does give you a fighting chance, a head start, so to speak, that indicates that reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the long term health of the puppy. There is less likelihood that the puppy will end up with a genetic disorder later in its life if the parents have been cleared genetically of hereditary defects known to affect the breed.   

Next, and equally important is temperament!

• Avoid excessively shy or aggressive pups.

Sheltie puppies should be happy and outgoing, curious about their environment, eager to learn, and easy to train.  Some breeders may already have started the housebreaking training, depending on the age of the puppy.

Meet both of the puppy’s parents if possible. Always see the mother (dam). Keep in mind however, that many breeders select sires from breeding kennels which may be some distance away, and the sires therefore may not always be available for viewing.  

Talk to the breeder about socialization and early training. Ask what techniques are used for socialization.   

It is important to have a good and comfortable relationship with your breeder and a full understanding of any contracts you may enter into with them in regards to purchasing your sheltie.  

• A breeder will be happy to meet with you and discuss your needs;

• Most reserve the right not to sell a puppy to you if they don’t think a sheltie is right for your family;

• Most go through an interview process to ensure that the puppies they place are going to the right homes;

• Some breeders will even ask for references. This is a good thing. Breeders SHOULD CARE about where their puppies are placed to ensure the best welfare of the puppy.  This is important to make sure you get the best suited puppy for your family! 
  

When choosing your breeder, the most important things to consider are:

• The genetic testing of the parents and other dogs in the pedigree;

• Health and temperament of the puppy;

• The guarantee the breeder provides;

• The housing environment where the puppy is raised, as well as the kennel environment of where other dogs are kept, (for instance a clean environment, adequate shelter and space, indoor and out etc);

• The socialization and exposure to outside stimulation the puppy has received;

• What after sale support you receive in respect to helping you raise your sheltie… grooming, feeding, training information etc;

There is so much joy associated with owning a sheltie, but take time with your decision.  Do not buy on impulse! Don’t buy the first puppy you see just because it is cute!  They are all cute!  They are all adorable!  Also, don’t purchase a puppy from a backyard breeder or puppymill because you feel sorry for it and/or have the need to rescue the puppy - it is a recipe for disaster and you may be setting yourself up for a lifetime of health and temperament problems.   

Visit more than one breeder, make sure you have established a good relationship with the breeder and feel comfortable with their dogs and what they are offering.

• The condition of the kennels and dogs should be the first thing you notice.

• Are the facilities clean?

• Do the dogs appear clean and healthy?

• Check the housing condition of the other dogs on the premises.  Are they kept in the same condition as the puppies and dam?   

Refer to the Code of Practice (link below) for Canadian Kennel Operations, published by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.

www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/foodsafety/chiefvo/pdf/csf12s11.pdf

This is an excellent and exhaustive document about the care, management, and breeding of dogs.

A GOOD BREEDER WILL:

• Know all about the pedigree of the puppy - including grandparents and great-grandparents;

• Want to know all about you, your family, your lifestyle, and where the dog will be living;

• Will ask what socialization and training techniques you are planning to introduce to your puppy;

• INSIST ON A FENCE OR DOG RUN for the safety of your Sheltie.

• Have a copy of the breed standard on hand, and should know and tell you the problems to look for in a sheltie. They should discuss with you the problems that can be found in the breed.

AVOIDING HEALTH AND GENETIC PROBLEMS

Avoiding unnecessary and expensive health and genetic problems is easier if you follow these guidelines:

• Ask the breeder if the parents of the puppy you are considering are tested and clear of genetic problems.  Deal only with breeders who test their dogs and ask for copies of the test results;

• NO TESTS = NO SALE!

• Be certain to get a record of inoculations when you pick up your puppy;

• Arrange to take your puppy directly to a veterinarian of your choice. This allows you to have the health of your puppy checked before there is any emotional attachment.

• DO NOT BUY YOUR SHELTIE FROM A PUPPY MILL OR ANYONE WHO MASS PRODUCES DOGS.  Good breeders, are those with the welfare of the breed at heart, and they do not typically produce more than 1 or 2 litters per year.

THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

Do business with someone with whom you are comfortable;

• Get everything in writing and signed. A sales contract should indicate the breed of dog, the terms and condition under which the dog is sold, health and genetic guarantees, and return policy.  It should also state that the dog is purebred and eligible for registration by the Canadian Kennel Club;

• Ask about the return policy.  Get a guarantee against genetic health problems.  A good breeder will not hesitate to deal with problems after the fact;

• Look for breeders who sell their puppies with the Canadian Kennel Club non-breeding agreement, and/or a spay or neuter condition in the contract.  Both are good signs.  A non-breeding agreement must be signed before you leave with your puppy and can be lifted by your breeder if the puppy grows to be acceptable breeding quality.

Purchasing A Sheltie

Be aware that it is illegal to sell a dog in Canada as purebred without supplying registration papers at no extra cost to the purchaser.  It is the responsibility of the seller to register the transfer of ownership of the dog. It is NOT the responsibility of the buyer. This right is protected by Federal Legislation known as the ANIMAL PEDIGREE ACT.

Under the Animal Pedigree Act, the person who sells you the dog is responsible for registering the dog with the Canadian Kennel Club - Not You!  In Canada, purebred dogs are governed under the Canadian Pedigree Livestock Act, which states that any puppy sold in Canada as purebred MUST be sold with Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) registration papers provided at no extra charge to the purchaser.

In other words, the breeder of your sheltie MUST provide registration papers to you at no additional cost. Please beware of breeders who do not comply with the Livestock Pedigree Act. They should not be selling their puppies at one price with papers, and another price without.

A breeder who sells their dogs/puppies as "purebred" but does not provide CKC registration is in violation of the Animal Pedigree Livestock Act and may be charged by the RCMP with a violation under that act.