Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie): The Diminutive Herder of Shetland Island, Scotland

The Shetland Sheepdog or simply known as the Sheltie is one of the dog breeds around the world whose origin is not exactly defined. What’s certain, however, is the fact that the Sheltie is a supposed original resident of the rocky region of the Shetland Island in Scotland. Physically, this breed appears like a miniature Collie but in fact, the breeding was never intended to achieve this kind of result.

The Sheltie was said to be the result of various breeding between the Scottish Rough Collie, Pomeranian, Greenland Yakki (now extinct), and the King Charles Spaniel or is a direct descendant of one of these breeds. In Shetland Island, the Sheltie was believed to do herding tasks just like the other Collies. Contradictions supply, however, that the Sheltie was not used for herding but rather for chasing small creatures such as ducks and squirrels.

Presently, this dog is popular around the world as an outstanding family companion and children’s pet. This breed is very loyal, docile and highly trainable and it intensely wills to please the master. With a firm and confident training and treatment from the owner, the Sheltie will definitely become a superiorly fantastic household companion and reliable family pet.

If not often exposed to people in the beginning, this breed has the tendency to become aloof towards strangers when it grows up. It does well around people especially children and therefore should be socialized at a young age. The Sheltie is a superb watch dog as well, barking as a signal when there is an approaching human or car towards the house.

Although never really believed to be a herder then, the Sheltie of today has an eager herder instinct that most of the time comes out through its irrepressible desire to chase and herd other creatures. Because of this, it needs to be always kept busy and so activities such as running and chasing around within a wide spaced area is necessary. The Sheltie is not hyper active; just make sure to give it the right amount of activities in order to keep its physical and mental health in shape.

The normal height of the Sheltie is 13 to 16 inches while its normal weight is between 14 to 27 pounds. It has an outer coat and an inner coat wherein the outer coat is long, coarse and dense and acts as a water-guard. The inner coat is somewhat softer and serves as a comforter against hot or cold temperatures.

The general colors of the Sheltie are sable, tri-colour and blue merle. The sable is either golden or mahogany and the tri-colour is white, black and tan. The blue merle is composed of grey, white, black and tan.

In 1909, the first Sheltie was first registered in the English Kennel Club and in 1911; the first Sheltie was registered in the American Kennel Club. This breed, even if not intended to be a herder, has a natural affinity in herding smaller creatures which is often seen through its chasing smaller animals. What’s certain, however, that herder or not, the Sheltie is still recognized as an outstanding pet of families around the world.

Rhodesian Ridgeback: A Fierce Lion Hunter Yet A Gentle House Companion

Everyone knows that when a lion gets mad, it wrecks unimaginable and irreversible havoc that’s why only those skilled enough and experienced hunters can face and elude this creature’s wrath. Humans and animals are known to shiver in fear over the sight of a lion gone mad but not this one breed of dog. Instead of running for its dear life, it unabashedly challenges and faces the king of the jungle’s fury and succeeds at it most of the time: this is the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog.

This breed, in all its handsomeness and masculinity, is a native of South Africa where lions are a common sight. Originally, some native tribes of this country owned a ridgebacked breed of dog used as hunting aids and household companions. The Boer farmers, another tribe, realized the potential of this breed and so they bred it with the Khoikhoi dog, Mastiff and Deerhound to produce the modern day Rhodesian Ridgeback.

In 1877, a Reverend Helm brought two of these new breed to Bulawayo, Rhodesia- today’s Zimbabwe, and it was there that more people discovered this dog’s ferocity towards lions and excellent hunting skills. In 1922, the first standard of the Rhodesian Ridgeback was created and the breed was remarked as a game hunting breed. There had been a debated conundrum regarding this dog’s classification in terms of hunting as it is both excellent in hunting big games as the ferocious and large as a lion and hunting small games as tiny as a squirrel.

The breed’s name, Ridgeback, is a manifestation of its appearance because it certainly possesses a symmetrical ridge running along its back. The ridge is made prominent by its growth which is in the opposite direction of the dogs overall coat. This breed’s coat appears sleek and glossy colored in either light wheat or red wheat.

In hunting, the Ridgeback is ferocious and accurate but inside the home, it transforms in to a gentle, calm and biddable pet. It is playful and patient with children, kind and strongly protective of its owners. It is also an outstanding watchdog as it is intent, sharp and alert in observing unfriendly people or forces.

Additionally, this renowned hunter is naturally intelligent, cunning, and independent and these sometimes may lead to difficult training sessions. However, if you have a firm and patient disposition towards this dog, you will gain its trust and thus will never have to handle difficult trainings. This breed has a tendency, too, to be aloof towards strangers and will always be on its guard if it chances upon one.

It is also a suitable dog for apartment living so long as it is provided with an everyday lengthy and fast-paced walking or jogging. Inside the house they are relatively dormant but once outside they tend to be energetic and eager huge pets. Their exercise needs to be done in an open space such as large backyards or parks.

Knowing the harsh conditions of Africa, we can easily understand why this dog can stand unforgiving situations at times. In fact, this dog can withstand flaring hot days and damp and cold nights. It can also go on for 24 hours and more without food and water.

The Vicious and Courageous Hunter of Lions, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed

Everyone knows that when a lion gets mad, it wrecks unimaginable and irreversible havoc that’s why only those skilled enough and experienced hunters can face and elude this creature’s wrath. Humans and animals are known to shiver in fear over the sight of a lion gone mad but not this one breed of dog. Instead of running for its dear life, it unabashedly challenges and faces the king of the jungle’s fury and succeeds at it most of the time: this is the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog.

This breed, in all its handsomeness and masculinity, is a native of South Africa where lions are a common sight. Originally, some native tribes of this country owned a ridgebacked breed of dog used as hunting aids and household companions. The Boer farmers, another tribe, realized the potential of this breed and so they bred it with the Khoikhoi dog, Mastiff and Deerhound to produce the modern day Rhodesian Ridgeback.

A man named Reverend Helm introduced two of these new breed to Rhodesia, now called Zimbabwe, in 1887 and it is there that this breed gained additional popularity as an excellent lion hunter. The first standard for this breed was written in 1922 in Rhodesia stating that this breed is of the game hunting kind. This distinction brought about several debates as there are different classifications for big game hunting and small hunting and it turned out that the Rhodesian Ridgeback is excellent at both.

This breed is called Ridgeback because of the distinct symmetrical ridge formation along its back. This ridge is a hair growth growing towards the opposite direction of its natural coat growth. This breed’s coat looks sleek and glossy with colors of either red or light wheat.

In hunting, this dog is courageous and fearless but inside the home, it is placid, gentle and docile. It is naturally good to people, playful and patient with children and protective of its owner. It is wary of strangers although this can serve as an advantage when it comes to its watchdog duty because it tends to be vigilant and watchful.

Additionally, this renowned hunter is naturally intelligent, cunning, and independent and these sometimes may lead to difficult training sessions. However, if you have a firm and patient disposition towards this dog, you will gain its trust and thus will never have to handle difficult trainings. This breed has a tendency, too, to be aloof towards strangers and will always be on its guard if it chances upon one.

An apartment dwelling is fine with the Ridgeback as long as it gets its daily exercise of long brisk walking and jogging. Inside the house they are inactive but once outside, they pour out all their energies thats why you must bring them to a wide space outdoors to jaunt and run around in. Bring them to open- spaced yards or parks for example.

The Ridgeback has a natural instinct to survive harsh conditions because its ancestors are pliable to the unforgiving situations of Africa. The Ridgeback can withstand hot climates and damp and cold nights. It can also last up to more than 24 hours without water or food.