My sweet Gracie is coming ten years old... and ... well, she has this lump. Vet says it is probably benign, but .... it's about as big as a tennis ball and it's on her left flank, in the hollow behind her ribs, under her left ribs; it's big and I think it's growing. Benign, she is ten. And, well, dogs don't live forever. I have thought and thought of what I want my next breed to be, and I keep coming back to, Sheltie. I'd like to get a puppy so Gracie can help teach him his business. You know, apprentice him to the job of protecting the chickens. With my help, of course. I figure it will take a couple of years. Surely I'll have her that long at least, right? Surely. ... but in the meantime, does anyone know of any reputable breeders of Shelties that won't charge me two arms and a leg for a pet quality pup, someone that is not a puppy mill? I don't have a problem with a so-called "backyard breeder" if they only have one pet dog themselves they have bred and are raising puppies in the house with the family, that's cool. I want a well-socialized pup, after all. Anyone kmow where i might find a seller of such a puppy? Thanks.
Gracie makes me crazy in lots of ways and is an annoying barker, but man, I could not have chickens without her. I just can't think of another breed that would do as well for our needs. Thanks for the suggestion, it won't hurt to ask and see what shipping costs might be, or if they can recommend another breeder.
