About Us
Shannara
Shelties is a small, very personal kennel where all our shelties
are
raised with lots of TLC. We have a 3,100 square foot house
with lots of
ceramic tile (just in case the puppies piddle), and over a half
an acre with
several separately large fenced yards for exercise. Inside
the fenced yards
are other, smaller covered private enclosures for smaller puppies
or
isolating bitches in season or stud dogs, and a secure, isolated
run for
visiting bitches. Usually, any dog that comes to visit
lives with us (my
mother and I) as one of the family--sleeping on the bed, or at a
minimum, in
a crate in my bedroom with me.
Because I am still recovering from a car accident from August
1998, I have to
lie down a lot. To take advantage of this, I have what I
call "TV Time" for
the dogs. usually there are at least 3 dogs or puppies
lying down with me on
the bed while I am resting or watching TV. This helps them
learn to relax
and live in a home environment. If I am housebreaking a
puppy, they either
sleep on the bed all night with me, or I have them crated in the
bedroom with
me so they can be with human company, while still learning to
"hold it" all
night long. Those other dogs that I can trust all night
long usually crash
out on the carpet or on the bed or pillows next to me. Some
prefer the
ceramic tile in my master bath.
Allthough all the dogs have plenty of time outside, running with
their
buddies, they all get rotated inside so that they all get the
proper
socialization that they need. They have all been raised
with 3 siamese cats,
and love them. Although I have no children, while I am
socializing puppies,
I try to expose them to situations with stress, such as handling
them in odd
positions, some rough housing, loud noises, etc. to prepare them
for things
they may encounter in a new home.
My mother (Elizabeth) and I (Brenda) are the only Sheltie Rescue
in the city
of Las Vegas and southern Nevada. We take in any sheltie
that needs a home.
We keep it until I find it a home, or else it stays here. I
will not put one
to sleep unless it has such severe health problems that are
unsolvable. (So
far I have not had to do that). At this time, I have a
12-14 year old that I
took in, where an elderly lady had to go into a rest home and
could not take
her dog. Although I have mentioned her to everyone who
calls about
adoptions, so far, no one has been interested in adopting a
senior sheltie,
so I imagine she will be here until her time comes. I fund
this out of my
own money, aside what Dorothy Christiansen refunds me from the
American
Shetland Sheepdog Association rescue fund when I have large
medical expenses.
Although I usually get very little as an "adoption
fee", and it usually does
not cover my expenses, I still feel VERY STRONGLY that, if you
are going to
breed-----if you are going to propogate puppies out into the
system, then you
should be willing to rescue those unfortunate unwanted dogs that,
through no
fault of their own, are needing a home and some TLC.
I don't do a lot of breedings per year, but frequently grow
puppies out for
quite a while, so that if I sell a show puppy, I am sure it is
going to be
something that I can be proud of in the ring. I also care
very much about
the homes that they go to, and although I know, in many cases, it
is
impossible, my first preference in a puppy buyer is someone who
takes the
time to come to my house and spend time with me and the dogs,
talking with
me, telling me about themselves, so that I can get a real feel
for what type
of home they will be going to. In more than one case, I
have walked a
prospective buyer to my door (within 30 seconds of their
entering), telling
them that I don't think they are right for one of my dogs.
If this makes me
keep a puppy for a longer period than most, to make sure it goes
to the best
home, so be it. I am not in a hurry to "dump"
puppies to get them out the
door at eight weeks while they are still in the cute stage.
I am always willing to talk to anyone who has one of my dogs, in
person or on
the phone, and always love to see them come back to visit.
I am very proud
of the puppies of mine who are in performance events, some in the
top
standings in obedience, herding and agility. I think this
is just as
important as conformation. And, of course, I am very very
proud of my stud
dog Sketch, B.I.S.S. Am./Can. Ch. Hillandale Rough Draft,
whose 5th American
Champion kid finished this last weekend.
Email Me