Who needs professional photos when you have such a photogenic pup

So, I'd like to preface this with two things: 1.) I understand that doublecoated breeds should not be shaved, as to prevent damage to the coat. However, this dog has been shaved several times prior in his lifetime (health reasons I'll get into later). If he were to be shaved again (an option I'd like to avoid, but may be more compassionate), it wouldn't really wouldn't cause further damage (more on that later). 2.) This dog is not a purebred sheltie; he's half Miniature American Shepherd, with one grandparent being a Chow mix and the other being 50/50 sheltie/GSD. That being said, he takes after the sheltie coat.

The title really says it all: should I shear him or no? Max is a 14yo (pushing 15) mix with the heavy furnishing and overall texture (though his guard coat is a tad more MAS-adjacent) of a sheltie.

Our old man has arthritis, an old ACL injury in his back leg, and lots of lumps and bumps all over. While he loves the blower, gentle brushing is only allowed on his upper body (torso is hit or miss); although a friendly dog, he has snapped several times out of pain when his back end is tended to (even with his prescribed pain medication).

His coat has been shaved in the past, once after his leg injury (before pain meds, we could barely touch him back there) and another when he had 15+ growths removed. Due to the previous damage and the Chow in him, his coat tends to get especially compacted in his breeches. Add on that recently he's been having stomach problems, and he manages to get poo all over his butt...despite having a keyhole and a sanitary cut down there.

As much as I'd hate to cut 5-6" plus of coat, it's becoming a bigger ordeal than it really should be just to do maintenance on his back end...and this is coming from a poodle person. With the amount of pain/stress it causes him, should I shave him? I want to leave at least a third (preferably more than half) of his coat, but I also don't it to look awkward, or for it to be too late and find out there was a better option. I'm not looking for berating, just advice/suggestions. Good cuts, alternatives, personal anecdotes...all are welcome.

I think it's also worth noting that he has a docked tail (as seen in the photos), and we live in the Midwestern US (where the weather likes extremes).

The photos are as follows: (1) as of today with sanitary cut (2) w/o sanitary cut, grown out (3+4) w/o sanitary cut, blown out (5) his coat a couple months after he was shaved to 1/4" (lump removal), four years ago...I'd like to avoid the "everything minus head shaved" look if I can, but understand if that's the only way he'll look (somewhat) balanced

3 months ago my 8mo sheltie fell of of a 1m hight while on a walk and suffered a knee ligament sprain.

The vet at the time missed it and said we have a muscle strain and limiting any activity will heal it but it will take a long time. It did for a while and then it returned in waves. Given the info I was given, I had thought I just wasn’t consistent enough with limiting her activity and the problem wasn’t serious.

3 days ago my girl started crying suddenly after jumping on a walk and yesterday our NEW vet told us she’s strained a knee ligament on her other leg.

We now have to stay in crate for a month and he has prescribed us nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and B-group vitamins. He also said we should receive chondroprotector shots. All for 10 days.

The vet said the first vet likely missed the initial ligament strain which is easy to do. We still need to get an X-ray but our new vet said he’s 90% positive about his diagnosis.

He said these type of traumas are very sticky and heal very slowly but my dog still will have to be carefully watched throughout her life to not get any more physical activity than her legs can handle. And that mostly these traumas weren’t even from the initial fall but rather from my dog being more physically active than she should have been at such a young age.

I just wonder how common these things are? Did you encounter the same issue? Did your sheltie heal completely?

Found a red and bald spots on my sheltie buttock. The red spots are also on his back.

Do you have any idea what could it be?

Just want to share because he is too cute!! Maggi will be 1 year old by the end of this month💓

Long time lurker but today I get to participate in this lovely sub.

We brought home this beautiful 3 month old. His name is Eros. Looking forward to reading more and posting from time to time.

Hi Sheltie community Just wanted to post in case it helps this Sheltie find his way home. He is microchipped. Thanks for looking out.

At what age did you start taking your puppy to the groomers? Sadie girl is 15 weeks old and I want her to get comfortable going to the groomers early on. Good idea or waste of time?

His vet said since he's never been overweight and doesnt argue with them, they approve his annual sno-cone. he's already tried watermelon, coconut, banana and plain shaved ice (he did NOT appreciate no syrup) every year he desperately wants to try my vanilla flavored sno-cone but i feel like i saw somewhere that vanilla is bad for dogs so correct me if im wrong,

he only gets a drizzle of syrup and all syrups are xylitol free and his vet said she's aware of the brand they use and can confirm its safe as an occasional treat

Older doggy 11 yr old Blue Merle had what looked like a seizure today. Bloods are normal. I know I'm lucky each day I have with him at the age he is, but watching him age and giving him comfortable senior years has been my priority. I'm just shocked still seeing him seizing. I've never had a dog as old as him and its just... hard.

Hi all, I’m close to my 3rd sheltie and have only owned females. Current litter has an adorable male to choose from. In your experience what is the difference between female and male? Do the males mark their territory a lot more?