I have a young cat and I really want a dog. I want a Golden Retriever, because they are really nice dogs, but they are so big and Sheltie's are smaller. My auntie has a Sheltie and she's really sweet and good around cats, but I'm not sure. Does anyone know if Goldens are good around cats? I know someone who has an adult Golden that's really hyper and I dont want one thats like that. I just want a calm dog thats not too big..

well shelties are hyper active also my grandma has 2. but I love golden tertevers because you can kinda train them not to be hyper. plus they are very loyal dogs.

but the you have tomake the choice. I'm just giving my 2 cents.

If you want a golden, but think they are to big, why not go to the shelter, and get a golden mix, or look on petfinder.com. That way you can see the temperment and maybe go with a dog that's past the puppy stage. I have plenty of friends who have golden's, and golden mixes that are great with their cats, and mine.

dont know much about personalities BUT do know shelties take much more time grooming to keep them mat/dirt free if that is even a consideration for ya.

The shelties I know are very calm/laid back. My hair dresser has two, one follows her mom around the house and the other lays at the door and looks out all day. They occasionally walk pass and lay on my feet, they are so sweet. The sheltie is smaller compared to a golden, so what do you prefer in size?

My goldens are great with my cats. And two of my goldens were one, two, and 4 weeks, when we got my cat. They are a little scared of him, but they play with my dad's little cat all the time. And my youngest golden can be a hyper at times. Goldens are not as hyper as most dogs I have seen.

how do you edit on this thing.

anyways, wanted to add that the wrost thing my dogs do to the cats are to tell on them for being bad.

If you think Shelties are hyper, you've only met badly bred ones. They aren't SUPPOSED to be. If you want to meet a Sheltie and experience what a well bred one is like, visit a dog show and talk to a couple of breeders and meet their dogs. They are also not supposed to be "shy". A lot of uneducated breeders take the "reserved" comment included in their temperament discription to mean timid or shy and it's supposed to mean "aloof" - meaning they take a moment to decide if they want to be friends, more out of being snobs than fear.

Shelties (again, well bred - ones not well bred are TOTALLY a different breed) are kind of like big dogs in smaller bodies. They should be mellow, be able to handle hiking and frisbee playing. They will also be very devoted and attentive to their families needs. Shelties can be bigger barkers than some breeds (they are a herding dog that uses their voice more than their stature to move livestock) but being very eager to please, you shouldn't have problems training a well socialized and well bred Sheltie to sound 2-3 warning barks and quit.

And Shelties do tend to get along exceptionally well with cats... and they even can have some cat like qualities... :)

I raise and show Shelties and I grew up with one - so we've had Shelties in our family for over 22 years. Bare in mind - like I said - well bred Shelties are MUCH different that what you can get from a pet store, puppymill, or BYB. Be prepared to pay at least $500-750 for a well bred Sheltie and make sure the breeder does something other than JUST breed (that's a big red flag with Sheltie breeders that they don't know, understand, or care about the breed if they JUST breed - which means they know very little about the health concerns, temperament problems, and natural variables for size, coat, ears, bone etc... present in the breed). Shelties are one of those breeds that a poorly bred version may be purebred - but look very little like a Sheltie.

Good Luck! Goldens are amazing dogs as well (my Obedience instructor has an awesome Golden he brings with to demonstrate in class).

well, both dogs are very nice. i think you should do some research on both dogs descuss it with your family members, or anyone who's living with you. than decide, i know that sheltlies can get hiper, but so can goldens, do research,

p.s. if you live by water a golden is a good choice, they love water!

I had a roomate for 3 months that was a Sheltie breeder. I would pick the Golden. Nuf said. I always thought I wanted a Sheltie until I lived with 6 of them for 3 months. I still Co own one, but she took it with her when she left. And I am ok with that. LOL

Another old post, I'm sure they chose their dog by now.
I'm bad for not looking at dates too, lol.

I have a Sheltie, one of the best dogs in th world IMO. They are so loyal and loving. They are quite the yappers and hyper, those are my two favorite traits from the breed. But, inside Stanley is as quiet as a chruch mouse. lol Shelties are very loving to thier family and would protect them from any thing, or try to. My Sheltie is glued to my side, I love him. But, if you train him or her they could do almost anything! If you have the time andthe patience to train andspend time with it, I highly recommend a Sheltie.