OH and I regularly donate to Dogs Trust and I've been on their site this evening.
They've got a 10 year old male Sheltie, he's sweet natured, likes other dogs and cats, can still play and likes his walks and he's looking for a new family. I have 5 dogs, all bitches, age range from 10 years to 9 mths, plus 12 year old cat. We have the time, the space and the money.
So now all tell me why we shouldn't.

I love Shelties, had one as a kid. Do it. Do it. Sorry, not much help.

Seriously you'd just need to check he could handle the pup and all those bossy girls, since he is an old chap now, you want his last years to be enjoyable. Shelties can be very sensitive. Still, if you are determined you can try it and see if it works.

Oh god that's not what I wanted to hear, well I sort of did I s'pose, I'm trying to give myself all the reasons why it's wrong, and there's not very many. Trouble is he's very sweet looking with a little old face and I don't like to think of him being there too long.

You know your dogs and how tolerant they are likely to be of others. Did he live with other dogs before? I don't think you'll know until you try. My greatest concern would be him being stressed by the younger dogs and pups. What other dogs do you have?

My older 10 yr girls are a GR and a rescue job BC, both very calm and accepting of change, my eldest Sheltie is nearly 3yrs not pushy and is gentle, my pups are Kevin's (in as much as a Sheltie can be a Kevin). Should I ring them tomorrow? I want to. The rescue place is about 2 hrs from us and I know if I go there then it's a done deal as long as the rescue centre thinks we're good enough.
I hate it when I look on those rescue sites :) :(

Bear in mind that some rescues don't think multi dog households are 'good homes'

Yes this is good to hear, it's what I call a positive negative. Trouble is they've said that he would do well in a home that has other dogs as he is very friendly and likes dogs. More reasons to say NO please.

Oh well, given that the pups are other Shelties..... But he is old and it just may be too much for him. I think I'd be inclined to call the shelter and tell them the situation before you set off. They'll have had a chance to assess him and will have a better idea if it's likely to work out. It's a long way to go and I don't think you should tie yourself in without speaking to them first.

Sorry, sounds like you've spoken to them already. If they think its a good idea and he's likely to thrive and you want to do it and are fully prepared for the consequences if it goes awry, then I think the only way is to give it your best shot. Poor love,  I doubt a Sheltie, of all breeds, takes to rescue. Why was he put in, do you know?

Good thinking, I need someone to cool my heels. I was going to ring them tomorrow anyway, wouldn't dream of setting of without doing so.

Trouble is, you don't see Shelties come up in rescue too often, Shelties are my passion, even though I've bought my 3 girls I always want to put something back, for my OH it's GR's, the BC had to be rescued as she was such a sad pathetic skin and bone piece due to be PTS.

The bloomin picture of his little face is stuck in my mind now.!

Is 10 old for a Sheltie?  I have in my head they are a long lived breed.  I certainly did not think of my Spaniel as old at 10. 

Well,if they have reservations you can put yourself forward as the family who'll take him if a better offer doesn't crop up in the next few days.That way you know he'll be taken care of.

I haven't actually spoken to them yet, they've just said on his 'selling space' that he's happy with and would be OK with other dogs. I don't know why he's there, knowing Shelties I wonder if the owner has passed away etc, having 3 myself I know that he would not be settled as they are very sensitive and do need a special person to focus on.

Also they have to do a home check, not known the dogs trust not to do that. So a bit of a longer wait.

I would like to see how the Sheltie does on neutral ground with the other dogs in small doses. This will give a slight bearing on how they will get on as well. I think Battersea do that as well. They like all dogs and anyone living in the home to come up and visit the dog on top of a home visit.

Isabel,
I thought the lifespan was about 12/13, but I may be wrong.

They are quite long lived, 15 years+ has been known, like BC's. My BC is 10 yrs but she doesn't know it. So he would still be active and I think that my pups would stimulate him and when he's had enough he'd tell them, as my older girls do.

Of course you should do it - as long as the excitement of all those girls isn't too much at his age ;). Sorry, I'm not much use, either, am I? But one more won't make much difference - and you understand Shelties. They ARE a sensitive breed, and I should imagine he's hating every minute of being in kennels...

Never answered your question. I say do it if you know its going to be right for the humans and dogs alike!!!
You have the time to spare and also know the breed very well.. So what have you got to loose by at least calling and then visiting?? Nothing.. But everything to gain

Pinky,

Let us know how it goes and do try to get a good night's sleep!

When we rescued the BC we took the GR in to visit on several occasions as they wouldn't let the BC go for over a month, we walked them together, they checked our vet but not our home. It was a smaller local rescue though. I am happy with a home check because it will determine if we are good enough. If they consider us then it will be a trip with all 5 girls.

i had to go and have a nosey on the dogs trust site he is so cute

Right, the phone call will be made, I will not get too excited, I will go to bed and not think about him, the rescue centre will not like us and he will be gone anyway, as you rarely find Shelties in rescue, so somebody will have got in before us. That's it sorted!

If any of you ever hear of a Sheltie in rescue let me know.

Don't say things like that mollaholland, in my mind he's already my dog so stop it!

> They are quite long lived, 15 years+ has been known, like BC's. My BC is 10 yrs but she doesn't know it. So he would still be active and I think that my pups would stimulate him and when he's had enough he'd tell them, as my older girls do.

Go for it girl.  You're not a novice that doesn't know what to look out for.  He deserves you.

I'm trying to ignore an ad for a dal bitch - proven brood bitch - whose owner is 'giving up breeding'. She's just had her second litter and is 'rising two years old'. I'm fuming, and sitting on my hands.

You are so naughty I'm trying to reign myself in here.

Do you think introducing a male into this exclusive female household would be a problem. I'm not going to spay my babies until they are at least 3 yrs, he will of course be neutered so that's not a problem, but how does an old chap handle nubile females, I've never had a male before?

> sitting on my hands.

to stop from grabbing her or to stop from thumping the owner?

One thing that shocked me, when I was looking on the Dogs Trust site the amount of Dallies.!! They have at least 6+. Some of them are young. 2yrs is only a baby, surely 2 litters at that age is way OTT. Where do these dogs come from, I can sort of understand Heinz 57 but when I see pedigree's somebody need's a smack!!

> Do you think introducing a male into this exclusive female household would be a problem

No I don't.  I told you - go for it!  Sorry but you won't get me to try and talk you out of it!  Seems to me that he's going to be a lot happier than being in kennels.

> Shelties in rescue

I think the Sheltie breed clubs handle rescues. They are often from homes where their elderly owners have died. You could google the clubs and phone round if you don't take this one and want to give something back...

>to stop from grabbing her or to stop from thumping the owner?

Left hand for grabbing, right hand for thumping.

>2yrs is only a baby, surely 2 litters at that age is way OTT.

Breed club rules are no births before the age of 2 years (I voted against the change from no matings before the age of 2). So two litters before 2 is totally appalling.

This is so not on, I had thought of breeding my girls (CD put me right) but if ever I did they would have to be well over 2 yrs. Surely anybody breeding as soon as they can is doing it for the wrong reasons, but that is another (hot) subject.

> I'm trying to reign myself in here

Go for it.

I cant look at the oldies in need of homes, it's their eyes. They just dont understand.

I'm no use either .....

Is it Shandy... Sorry no use either go for it...

Surely Hermes and Dyonisus are the same dog ! The write up is almost the same as well!

I am going with a friend, I cant wait...she has got over losing her boy and is now ready for another doggie friend.

Why are you looking for reasons to say no??? 

If it is something you are prepared for, ready for, capable of doing, and want to do, then it seems like a wonderful choice. 

Dont know much about shelties, so cant point out any bad things about them.  lol. 

Good Luck

You're a fat lot of good I'm wanting negatives here.

There must be bad things.

Current monthly dog insurance is £72, so another will top that up, if they'll insure a new oldie. Food, well Shelties don't eat tonnes so no major increase there, exercise, well if you can walk 5 you can walk 6, car size you'd hardly notice another Sheltie!

I'm doing it again, I expected you all to say all sorts of bad things, like they wouldn't settle, male distraction, and goodness knows what else.

I s'pose I'm looking for reasons to say it's a bad idea because I want it too much, so if somebody else tells me it's a bad idea then when I don't get the dog it's because it wasn't right for the dog and wasn't right for the dog and I won't feel so bad, does that make sense?

It is Shandy and yes I notice the similarity between Hermes and Dyonisus, I hope your friend finds her One.

Many older dogs from Dogs Trust go out on a foster scheme(especially if they have any medical issues). Because they can be hard to home and insure...they also in some case accept vet references in lieu of a home visit..especially since you have a few dogs and should have a good relationship with your vet. :-)
Ask about it WHEN you go...:-)

She has waited just over a year and is ready to start looking. She so needs a dog she would not even sit in the garden at first she missed him so.

We have had good vet references in the past with our BC so I'm hoping that will stand us in good stead. I'm going to call tomorrow and not get too excited as I've said earlier somebody else will probably have 'claimed' him. So off to the pit now with dreams of pointy sable faces and sad almond eyes.
Will report tomorrow.

> how does an old chap handle nubile females, I've never had a male before?

He might quite enjoy it! ;) :)

Just found this thread..my advise..

GET HIM :)

> Is 10 old for a Sheltie?  I have in my head they are a long lived breed.  I certainly did not think of my Spaniel as old at 10.

I wouldn't think of a sheltie as old at 10, oen in foster home near me was 14, adn I know that 14 - 16 is common age for them to live to.

I don't think of my breed as old at 10.

> Is 10 old for a Sheltie?  I have in my head they are a long lived breed.  I certainly did not think of my Spaniel as old at 10. 

My folks have shelties for more than 20 years, they lost one at 8 but she had heart problems, the rest have lived till 14/15.

I love Shelties parents had them and Rough Collie's when I was a youngster.

I always said that I would not have another pup until Lydia passed away, unfortunately her and Calida only had a short time together but they adored each other in that short time and Calida just seemed to know that Lydia was the old girl in the household and that she should behave around her.

I love Shelties too,

Well you know the breed already having some of them, so no need to talk about yappiness or grooming :-)

You sound to have calm bitches and the 9 month old may or may not be too much for him, (at least the same breed) you can play that by ear though, it may well give him a new lease of life. His character is described as suitable to mix in with your household. :-)

The only downsides are:
1. Insurance premiums will probably be quite high with his age
2. Due to his age expect that you may have health issues on their way, as long as you have a good insurance cover then that issue is covered. :-)
3. If the rescue don't wish him homed with 5 other dogs, for fear of lack of attention or being too much for him.

I can't really see of any reason not to give this old man a good home with yourselves, did you phone, was he still available?

Pinkly,

Just a thought and you are asking for negatives ;)

Is he castrated??     If so can you cope with the extra work of a neutered sheltie's coat?   My BIL's Sheltie was and the coat is horrendous.  I've never seen so much coat on just one small dog :((  It's a major undertaking grooming him ;)  Would this be a problem if you have 5 other dogs too?

Otherwise go for it :-D :-D

> I'm trying to ignore an ad for a dal bitch - proven brood bitch - whose owner is 'giving up breeding'. She's just had her second litter and is 'rising two years old'. <IMG alt=mad src="/images/mad.gif"> <IMG alt=mad src="/images/mad.gif"> <IMG alt=mad src="/images/mad.gif"> I'm fuming, and sitting on my hands.

I am also trying to ignore a chocolate 8 month old bitch, 8 months old free to a good home in our local paper this week :-(