Calm

Gorgeous !

Admired in ~ Dogs-Man's Best ♥ Friend !

He is certainly a handsome boy, and knows it!

He really has turned into a most gorgeous fellow. I'm so glad you were able to have another sheltie, and Stanley looks like a wonderful companion, which of course, shelties are.

I saw a lovely, nice-sized, shaded sable collie yesterday, it actually kick-started me into looking for another dog. Although we are also looking at different breeds, after 16 months of being without a dog, I feel that I'm ready to have another now. Of course, it always takes time to find the right source, before we can find the right dog.

Thank you, he is a very sweet fellow. Very different from Pirate. He doesn't play ball, which seems really strange as Pirate loved to chase and retrieve balls only for them to be thrown again. He could do that all day if you were willing. Whereas the only time Stanley will go for a ball is if Percy has one! He likes to steal Percy's balls. Percy used to just love playing ball, but of course finds it virtually impossible now, except for the one with the bell in which he loves.

Good luck with your search for another dog. It is not easy, and I understand you looking at different breeds as well. That was how we ended up with Percy, I wanted another dog before we lost Shadow and Pirate, but I didn't want a 'replacement'. I had spent time with a friend who had Chihuahuas, and was shocked at just how lovely they can be as my experience had only be little yappers before!

Nicky lived for chasing and retrieving a ball as well, but I remember once being told by a sheltie breeder that blue merle shelties tend to be more high strung and active, whereas sables are often more laid back, with tricolours being a 'happy meidium.
I don't have any experience with chihuahuas, but I've known a few shelties over the years with severe barking issues, and they've all been blue merles, and one tricolour.
We were very lucky with Nicky, who only ever barked for good reason, someone at the door, a cat near his territory, or excitement of going a walk, but he settled down as soon as we left the drive.
I think Blake only liked chasing and retrieving a ball because Nicky did. When Nicky got too old to play, Blake soon stopped as well. But Robbie (the tri collie) only ever wanted a toy when one of the others dogs had it, and he could be very possessive and snappy. I never had any issue like that with Nicky and Blake, they were so close, best of friends.
Very true though, that no dog, even of the same breed or colour, can ever be replaced x x x

Pirate was a Black and White, not very common, even less so than Tri s and Blue Merles, but his Dad was Blue Merle so perhaps that was why he loved the ball so much? Certainly none of my Aunt's dogs are really ball chasers, but I thought that was just because they didn't have the opportunity...seems it must actually be hereditary as Stanley just isn't interested. Fortunately Stanley isn't a barker either...The dogs only really ever bark at squirrels and that is it and if someone comes to the door, but they stop as soon as we tell them to. They are both such good friends, we are so glad we have Stanley now...there were a few doubts earlier on as he does tend to have a bit of a 'dicky tummy' at times. After having to keep Pirate and Shadow separate for 15 years, it is nice to have two dogs that get on so well.

Being a 'blue bred' black and white, it could well be why Pirate was so ball-keen. My first rough collie, Robbie, was a blue bred tri, and he had the characterstics of the blue merle collies, being more serious, protective, and dominant.
I didn't know you had to keep Shadow and Pirate separate. If you don't mind me asking, was it Shadow who was making the trouble? I've had several dogs over the years, mostly male, and it was only Robbie that would ever start trouble with any other dogs in the house. I have also heard of other people who have roughs that are not trustworthy around other dogs.
It's lovely to hear that Stanley and Percy are such good friends, it's so much easier to live with. Nicky had a cast-iron stomach until he got much older, then we had to be more careful of the treats he had, but both rough collies, anything slightly different and they'd be throwing up for days! I also remember you saying about Shadow with the same issues as well.
Years ago when I was a child we had a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and her stomach was so bad as a puppy, my mother had to cook her all sorts of special fresh stuff like tripe, sheep's head, etc, but as she matured, she seemed to be able to eat absolutely anything. My mother spoiled her terribly and what she ate, Cassie always had to have a portion of, even sweets and chocolate. How that dog didn't become overweight or have anything else wrong with her was a miracle.