Shetland Sheepdogs were bred in the Shetland Islands in the early 1900s to work on sheep farms. They earned their keep by barking to alert for strangers, herd sheep or chase away predators. Barking comes naturally to a Sheltie and Max is no different. Without a doubt, he is the best security alarm system around. Shelties ultra-sharp hearing can detect human voice from several hundred yards away or the crinkling of a cheese wrapper at the other end of the house. Shelties have eyes designed to see movement better than most dogs, what is called a "visual streak", where they can focus at something moving across their field of vision. Max can easily detect small movements from a mile away or go on a window view barking jag when a small leaf blows across the yard (this is a real delight in the fall). Initially his sentry duties left scratches on the wooden window frame so we placed a piano bench there to block his access. His now famous front paw piano bench stance informs us something is afoot and undoubtedly a barking bonanza will soon follow. We know the exact moment the neighbors arrive home or a package will be placed on our doorstep or a plastic bag is blowing across our yard. Your chatty kathys will speak 860,341,500 words in a lifetime, but this isn't even close to the number of barks emitted by one curious lovable Sheltie living here on our lane. 12/22/21 |
