Sheltie Judge came to see Ruckus - Paw Talk

ratty_ratkins · #1 09-20-2006, 02:08 PM

Well, she said many good things about him. Said he has a wonderful blossoming personality. Great bone structure, his stop and eyes... everything on him looked great!

But his bite as problem! His top front teeth go over his bottom front teeth. AND he is six months old with every one of his baby teeth with no sings of adult teeth coming in. That is very uncommon! I knew something was screwy about his bite just because of how his muzzle looks.

I was REALLLLLLY hoping for a show shelter.. the woman who sold me him said he was a great show profit, but anyone can look and tell you his bite is screwed up! So yes, I'm disappointed! BUT I don't regret getting him what so ever. His personality is turning out greater and greater everyday. He is my little buddy and I wouldn't trade him for any show dog in the world. However I am slightly upset at being misled.

I wonder if I should neuter him? What will it change? He is never around any girl dogs nor out of my sight much at all. Since he is not the perfect picture of a sheltie i don't plan on breeding him.

What other things can I compete for with my AKC sheltie?

sara8 · #2 09-20-2006, 02:29 PM

i think shelties are really good at agility or if that doesn't interest you how about doing therapy at a hospital with him especially if he has such a wonderful pesonality? good luck

ratty_ratkins · #3 09-20-2006, 02:49 PM

Oh yeah I AM doing agility. I already started training him on a home made course.

Leo · #4 09-20-2006, 04:25 PM

Did the lady give you a contract saying that he was going to be of show quality? IMO If you paid the big bucks for a show quality animal I believe that you should receive a show quality animal... I would look over your contract and see if there is anything in it that could help you out to legally re-coup some of the money you put into him thinking he would be of show quality.

About the neuter... I would ask your vet to see if anything will change with his teeth.... if thats just the way they are going to be, considering that you won't be planning on showing/breeding him anymore, I would have him neutered (like you pointed out if he isn't 100% genetically correct with his teeth, he shouldn't be bred... I'm so glad to hear you have this level of commitment to the breed

... so many others don't and would just breed anyway

)... the heath benefits of neutering far outweigh any reason to not have him neutered (decreased risk of certain cancers in sterilized animals). If you would like more information on the positive aspects of neutering for health and ethical reasons please ask as I have many links/information that you might find helpful in making a decision.

Some fun things you could do with him since he will not be shown are:
Agility
Fly Ball
Frisbee competitions (Shelties are really good at this)
Freestyle dancing
Canine Good Citizen (CGC so you can do beginning therapy work with him)
Therapy Dog
The list could go on and on with fun thing to do with a dog...
Perhaps doing a Google search for "Activities for Dogs" or "Activities to do with my dog" would pop up some other good ideas up for you.

Keep posting pics of Ruckus he is adorable and Congrats on getting him!

ratty_ratkins · #5 09-20-2006, 05:27 PM

nope he wasnt contracted. not for me anyway. he was selling for 450 but since she knew me she gave him to me for 300.
however that price is still high around here for a show sheltie. I think I should get 100 dollars back honestly.

i probably wont pursue it, i will just remember to never trust anyone about this sort of thing again.

**Sasami** · #6 09-20-2006, 05:41 PM

For a sheltie some great sports to try would be Agility, Flyball, Frisbee, Music Freestyle, Rally-O, and Obedience

. We did agility for fun with Rocky for a while and it was pretty cool...he loved it. I wanted to do Rally-O with Sophie but she didn't have enough interest

.

Although I want to show a dog some day I still think the physical sports are even more fun

. And a great work-out for both you and the dog. Good luck in whatever you choose.

Oh, and I would get him neutered if you can...he'll be easier to train, less likely to run away or bite, it prevents certain cancers, etc.

ratty_ratkins · #7 09-20-2006, 05:53 PM

thanks everyone. I am waiting a year or so to get him neutered to see if his teeth correct themselves or not. However if they get worse i will neuter him sooner. I was watching doggie dancing on utube once, it looks like fun, and Ruckus can already back up, and i heard thats really hard to do because its so unnatural.

corgimom · #8 09-20-2006, 06:07 PM

I'm sorry you were mislead, but I'm glad to hear that he's doing well!

corgimom · #9 09-20-2006, 06:54 PM

As for the neutering, if you don't plan to breed him, I personally would recommend it.

Neutering reduces the risk of testicular cancer, reduces the instinct to roam (though since he's not an outdoor dog, this one probably ins't as big a deal), and I'm not positive, but I think it also reduces their instinct to mark their territory. It can also affect their personality, making them calmer, less dominant, etc.

Personally, the only thing I really cared about when choosing to neuter Ein was the fact that it reduces the cancer risk. One of Lucas' uncles never neutered any of his pets, and he lost a dog to testicular cancer.

Puttin510 · #10 09-20-2006, 08:14 PM

That is dissapointing, given that you would love to join the showing world.
I'd say, neuter, because they do go bonkers when a female is in season. They could smell it a long distance away I hear. I always thought the top teeth were supposed to be like that.

ratty_ratkins · #11 09-20-2006, 08:53 PM

yes someone else said they are supposed to have a bit of a scissor bite. I am getting a second opinion

Vanilla_Rat · #12 09-20-2006, 09:49 PM

Oh I am sorry.I know how much you wanted to show him,but he will still make a greyt companion for you.