Pembroke Sheltie Dog Breed

The Pembroke Sheltie can be a herding dog, but most people tend to have them as family companions. They may not be best for people who are getting their first dog. If you have done your homework, have endless patience are ready for the allowances that this crossbred dog's behavior demands, then these dogs may be for you. They'll get along fairly well with kids and other dogs. They may pester non-canine pets and will require very early and careful socialization and training with them.

Here are some things that can help you decide if you wish to adopt a Pembroke Sheltie:

PROS
Loving
Extremely loyal
Minimal shedding
Very intelligent
Superb agility dog
Not prone to separation anxiety
Can be easy to train with right person

CONS
Not hypoallergenic
May bark constantly
Prone to overeating
Not a good watch dog
Can be very stubborn
May require a lot of grooming
Requires a lot of daily exercise
Tends to nip and bite when "herding"
Needs a very secure yard with a high fence

The Pembroke Sheltie is a dog that will most likely have the body of a Corgi but may also inherit a fair amount of features from their Shetland Sheepdog parent. Their small size shouldn't be underestimated: they are strong, pushy and erstwhile dogs that will require compromise even as they need a gentle hand when dealing with their more stubborn behavior.

These dogs are super-smart. They come from parent breeds who know how to control large herds of much bigger and easily startled animals even as they keep an eye out for stragglers, predators, and dangerous terrain — and they do this all day while on the move. They will certainly know how to get their way when one-on-one with you!

The Pembroke Sheltie is a very vocal dog, and they should not be punished for this characteristic. They are also prone to herding kids, other pets and things that are tossed on the floor, so you should understand that this behavior, while it can be mitigated, is also inevitable.

Exercise is the keyword with this hybrid dog. Long daily walks, regular visits to the dog park and a lot of agility play (and toys) are essential to keeping these dogs healthy, happy and manageable. Failing to do so will result in chewing, a lot more barking and perhaps resistance.

The Corgi Sheltie mix personality is one that is still being mapped out, but it is said that these dogs are basically a Sheltie temperament in a Corgi body. They can be territorial, high-strung and demanding. They tend to not be able to resist herding things that move or, when they are bored, that don't move. They will be aloof to strangers, but they may bark at anything that moves or seems out of place.

Despite their dedication to duty (and the barking and nipping that too often follows), these dogs are friendly, loyal and, if properly trained and socialized, able to deal with kids who want to play. They don't typically get separation anxiety as they come from dogs whose centuries-old histories are all about working alone in the outdoors.

Training may not be easy. Like their parents who are vocal when herding sheep and other animals and who are very independent, these dogs have an agenda of their own. A great amount of patience — and not a little bit of knowledge about the parent breeds — is required.

Pembroke Shelties come from two relatively healthy breeds who must be in top shape to do their jobs, but they do have some problems. Some are genetic, and some are basic dog issues. If you have one of these dogs and she has the Corgi body (as most such Corgi hybrids tend to have), there is a high possibility of back problems. Both parent breeds are prone to eye complications too, and this may be passed on to their mixed breed puppies.

Here are some of the things you should watch out for if you adopt a Pembroke Sheltie:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Snow nose
• Lens luxation
• Hip dysplasia
• Skin problems
• Luxating patella
• Hypothyroidism
• Elbow dysplasia
• Degenerative myelopathy
• von Willebrand's Disease
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
• Intervertebral disc disease (IDD)
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

The average lifespan for the Pembroke Sheltie is 12 to 15 years, and it is a bit higher average than most such dogs.