Do Shelties really bark a lot?
Shelties have a reputation as vocal dogs, but that might be undeserved. Ill-bred dogs often display a terrier-like personality–hyper and yappy, always on the go–but can just as easily be overly timid and may become a fear-biter.
The intelligent Sheltie can be trained to be an excellent watch dog, and not yappy, giving two or three barks to alert its owner to a person at the door. You can train your Sheltie early to stop barking once you have determined that there is nothing to be concerned about. If you are unsure how to do this, ask your breeder or veterinarian for the name of a reputable trainer.
To some extent, “yappiness” varies with the individual, but as a breed, Shelties are known for being vocal. Unlike some smaller breeds which are barky but have “baby” voices, Shelties possess a penetrating bark. Your neighbors may not appreciate the fact that your dog’s ancestors always lived within three miles of the ocean, and had to be heard over the sound of crashing surf, the call of sea animals, the bleating of lambs, and the howl of high winds. Someone interested in a Sheltie must understand that barking is in fact, part of what Shelties were bred to do.
Be forewarned, two or more Shelties can be next to impossible to keep quiet. If noise is a concern for your lifestyle, the Sheltie might not be the breed for you.
Click here for more information on training your dog not to bark.
Thx to flyinfootwork for the perfect Sheltie bark photo!
Next: Debarking a Sheltie: A sensitive issue
I have had 2 Shelties and have noticed no extraordinary barking. They will get excited at new people and bark and if something unexpected like a squirrel runs on the fence they give a short bark to alert me there’s something I should see, but that is what they do. The bark itself is quite loud, but both have had that trait so it must be part of the breed. But I must say, these are THE most intelligent dogs and can really become a good friend in a short time. I love my Sheltie and consider him part of the family.
My mom’s shelties would bark if you got out the broom, or touched the broom, or sneezed or looked like you might start to sneeze. It was at these times I took a malicious delight in asking the older one if he’d like a bath? That would stop him cold and he’d cock his little head to the side like I did not just say the b word!
Krista – we thought our Arthur was the only Sheltie alive who had those little quirks. He also barks at the broom, at sneezes, at the look of an on-coming sneeze (which he can sense from 2 floors away while he was dead asleep), the windex, the combing of my hair (?!?! I know – it’s very odd!, a match, and numerous other oddities that set him off. And oddly enough, we always mention a bath to him too :) That seems to keep him quiet although you can tell he’s very conflicted over which would be better – a bath or the opportunity to keep barking.
My Sheltie behaves differently depending on where she is. At my mom’s house she barks all day long according to my mom. At my place and when I take her into work, my dog hardly ever barks, and when she does it is a few warning barks. Also all I have to do is give the signal to be quite and she will stop barking (and settles down). So ,some times it is the training and who is doing it. Same dog, but different behaviors depending on where she is and who she is with.
My Sheltie barks if you sneezed or are about to sneeze. He also barks at the broom and the vacuum and a lot of other things like that.
My sheltie always barks at my mom sneezing or looking like she is going to sneeze. He always barks and goes crazy