new adoption, matilda :)

[robin]

we adopted matilda yesterday

she is 7 months old. looks to be an austrailian shepard/sheltie mix and is deaf. she knows a few hand signs but we will be teaching her more sign language.
we is very sweet, playful, smart and a very happy dog.
we suspect the previous owners did not want to take the time to train a deaf dog. for us it is not a big deal its all about making adjustments and taking the lil extra time with her.
so far she has managed to tick off our other 2 dogs and the five cats but they are getting used to her and her to them hehe

she is spayed, micro chipped, is on heartworm preventative and has had all her shots. she is a sorta small dog weighting in at about 18 lbs, thus far. i suspect she will fill out as she gets a bit older and grow a bit more (not too much though i would imagine)

i want yall to welcome matilda

this is kinda an artsy fartsy photo of her hehe

these last two are of her last night

 

[MSMD]

Congrats! She's a pretty girl! I just love the merles. Good for you for taking the time to take in and train a deaf dog! It's not as hard as most may think. It takes a little more patience, but it's well worth the work!

She looks like she's making herself right at home already! Have fun with her! :main_yes:

 

[moosassah]

We have a friend who has one. What an amazing breed. She's beautiful.

 

[robin]

thanks guys!1 she really is gorgeous!! i know it will take some time and patience but we are prepared for that

right now we are trying to teach her "no" hehe

some other people with deaf dog have suggested a vibrating color used just so they know you are coming up from behind or if they are in the yard sleeping some where. just something to get their attention so they know you are looking for them or that you are coming. we have read some stuff online and talked to a couple of others. we will be contacting a trainer in the area as well

she is very smart i am sure it will go well

 

[Mel&Keith]

Welcome, Matilda! I'm sure you guys will do a great job getting trained.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Ohhhhh.... what a pretty girl! I know that with blue-eyed Aussie Merles, it is not that unusual for them to be deaf. The trainer for our dog's obedience classes has one, and the dog has learned to keep a watchful eye on her master for hand signals, and does VERY well!

 

[robin]

i am assured matilda will do well. she is very intellegent.we should do well together since my patience is short and her being a puppy hers is short too :laugh: it is going to be the stronger of the wills!!!

 

[PaulSage]

Robin, congratulations on the new dog!

I've seen purebred Shelties that look just like her before. They're the result of breeding two blue merles together--which most Sheltie breeders know is a 'no-no' because for some reason the 'double merle' shelties are almost always (I don't remember the percentage) either blind or deaf. A breeder we used to use for stud service had "accidentally" produced a litter that had three double merles. Two were deaf and the other was blind. It's too bad because they're so pretty.

Regardless, it's good of you to adopt her. Shelties are awesome and I'm glad she found you. It makes me miss my Kineesa though

 

[robin]

paul from her looks and size do you think she is a full blooded sheltie?

 

[PaulSage]

paul from her looks and size do you think she is a full blooded sheltie?

I'd almost guarantee it. :main_yes:

 

[nwheat]

She's gorgeous, Robin!!!

 

[Jeanne]

Ohhhh....Robin she is beautiful!!!!

 

[robin]

thanks guys

paul i did do some research on merles and double merle shelties and you are right. she could very well be a double merle pure sheltie.
i just ant to know who would get rid of such a sweet and beautiful dog

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Hmmmmm... how would you find out if she's a Sheltie? She looks a lot like some of the dogs on Marula's Christmas card, too!

 

[PaulSage]

Robin, our first Sheltie, Sadie, had that same coat shape and structure when she was younger (probably 5-10 months). By the time she was 1 1/2 - 2 years old her coat had filled in. That's pretty typical for Shelties. If you think she's pretty now, just wait until she has a chance to fill in.

The first two pictures are recent ones of Sadie (I think she's 14 now)

http://www.geckoforums.net/photopost/data/500/Sadie01.jpg
http://www.geckoforums.net/photopost/data/500/Sadie02.jpg

The last one is one of her sons. They're both blue merles.

http://www.geckoforums.net/photopost/data/500/Ranger01.jpg

 

[robin]

marcia, shelties can have merle coats as well.

paul wow thats awesome i can't wait for her to fill out

sadie and her son are gorgeous!!