To stay healthy, your sheltie will need a high-quality dog food meant for medium sized dogs. One easy way to check the quality of a dog food is to read the ingredients on the label. If the label lists meat as the first and second ingredient (not a meat by-product or grain), then it is probably a high-quality food. You can also ask your dog’s breeder or veterinarian for recommendations if you are not sure what type of food to feed your sheltie. Dog food packages provide a range for how much to feed your dog, but this is often a wide range. You will need to know how much your dog weighs and consider his activity level as well. For example, if your dog food package recommends feeding your sheltie two to four cups of food per day and your dog is very active, then you may need to give him the full four cups each day. But if your dog is sedentary, then you may only need to feed him two cups of food per day. It will be easier to house train you sheltie if you have a solid feeding schedule for her. You can develop a feeding schedule for your sheltie based on how much food she needs to eat each day. For example, if your sheltie requires two cups of food every day, then you may want to split this amount into two meals. You could give one meal at 7:00am and give the other meal at 6:00pm. Adult dogs can eat just one or two big meals per day. If your sheltie is still a puppy, then she will need to be fed more often. If your sheltie puppy is:  eight to 12 weeks, then do four meals per day three to six months, then do three meals per day six months to one year old, then do two meals per day Your sheltie needs to have access to a large bowl of fresh clean water at all times. Make sure that you clean and replenish your sheltie's water bowl at least once per day. If your sheltie has been running around a lot or if the weather is warm, then you may need to refill your sheltie's water more often. Dog obesity is a major cause of health problems, so it is important to make sure that your dog does not overeat. However, your sheltie will still appreciate a treat now and then, so try these nutritious, low-calorie foods:  baby carrots cooked green beans cooked sweet potatoes cooked peas blueberries banana slices Some foods can make your dog sick or even kill her.  Foods to avoid feeding your sheltie include:  avocados alcohol caffeine chocolate grapes raisins nuts onions, garlic, and chives raw meat, bones, or eggs salty foods yeast dough xylitol (often found in sugar free foods)

Summary: Choose a high-quality food for medium sized dogs. Determine how much food to give your sheltie every day. Develop a regular feeding schedule. Consider your sheltie’s age. Provide plenty of fresh clean water. Give your sheltie some healthy treats. Steer clear of foods that are toxic to your sheltie.


Depending on the laws where you live, you may need to apply for a license from your local government. To find out if you need a license, inquire with your local law enforcement or animal control office.  In some cities or states, any breeder with more than 5 or 10 intact female dogs and who sells puppies will need a license. In many places, breeders of hunting dogs are exempt from licensing. A whelping box is a large box where your female dog will birth and nurse its puppies. Your whelping box should be 2 feet (0.61 m) high, 4 feet (1.2 m), and 4 feet (1.2 m) wide.  Your female lab and her puppies will spend the first three weeks after birth in the box. Afterwards, the puppies and mother dog will be able to move into a cage or similar enclosure. In addition to a whelping box, you'll need cages to house your grown dogs, juveniles, and any other dogs you plan to keep as breeding stock. Grown dogs will need cages that are 42 inches (107 cm) long and 30 inches (76 cm) high. Juveniles and younger dogs will fit in smaller cages, but make sure to move them into large cages when they are mature. The dogs should be able to easily stand up, turn around, and lay stretched out in their cages. If they can't, the cages are too small. Collect towels and sheets from friends or family. If you can't get enough, you can purchase new towels or sheets to use as bedding. Then, spread them out in your whelping box and cages. This will turn the whelping box and cage into a comfortable place for your dogs. . In addition to cages, your dogs -- mature and juvenile -- will need access to open space. As a result, you should create two or three at least 20 by 40 foot (6 by 12 m) fenced areas in your yard. This way, you'll be able to have dogs of different sexes and ages outside at one time. When your puppies are 6-8 weeks old, you need to take them to the vet for an examination and their first set of puppy shots. If you don't take them to the vet for vaccination, you could put them at risk of contracting dangerous illnesses. Ultimately, a responsible breeder will stay in touch with their vet throughout the breeding process.
Summary: Obtain a license if you need one. Purchase a large whelping box. Get cages to house your dogs. Use old towels and sheets as bedding. Fence in parts of your yard Take your puppies to the vet for vaccinations.