This page is about the Shelties that are available for adoption.
Updated 4/25/25
Before you get too excited about one of our Shelties, please read ALL the information on our page "How to Adopt."  It will answer your questions about our process and expectations. Our adoption application is at the bottom of that page.   
​E-mail additional questions.

Russ- Updated

What a Difference a Month of Training Makes!!​
Handsome Russ is a happy, affectionate youngster who loves humans of all sizes and ages and assumes anyone he meets probably wants to play fetch.  He also loves other dogs and assumes they, too, are eager to play with him.  His puppy energy and eagerness to play was somewhat of a problem in his first foster home where the two resident Shelties were very elderly (15 and 17) and frustrated Russ by their unwillingness to play with him.  Since Russ had little training when he came to NVSR, we moved him to the home of our most talented in-house trainer.  His new foster home had big fenced areas in which to run and two younger dogs more interested in chase games.  Russ was in paradise.

Russ’s new foster dad found Russ to be very smart and anxious to learn.  He quickly responded to new ques like sit, wait, down, shake, kennel, leave it (see video).  His foster dad taught him self-control, insisting that Russ wait before exiting or entering open doors and before digging into his food.  He has now learned not to jump up on people when greeting them or when he wants attention.  He is reliably house trained and never has accidents in the house.  He is crate trained and goes into his crate when requested.  He sleeps quietly through the night in his crate in his humans’ bedroom or—if invited—on their bed. 

When he is up Russ wants activity.  He is able to focus much better on training if he’s had a good romp off leash in a fenced area first.  Long leash walks are good but just don’t absorb enough of his puppy energy.  Russ will still sometimes bark when he hears the ice dispenser (because his previous owners gave ice as a treat), and sometimes at other sounds that are foreign to him (like planes flying overhead).  Leash training is still a work in progress; he will sometimes pull when cars drive by.  His foster parents have made progress by putting him in a sit and diverting him with a treat before continuing on the walk.

Russ has been neutered and brought up to date on all tests and vaccinations.  He has been kept up to date on heartworm preventatives and flea/tick prophylaxis.  He has attended puppy classes and knows how to interact with other young dogs.  Russ would benefit greatly from continuing obedience classes and has the strength and agility to be a star in a range of dog sports when he matures.

The ideal home for Russ would have a large fenced yard and another active young dog to play with.  He is probably not a good match for families with cats or small children simply because he would try to play too exuberantly with them.  He needs dog-savvy humans who will work with his exceptional willingness to learn.  He is a very social dog and would not thrive in a home where everyone goes off to work or school and leaves Russ home alone.  For the right adopter who is willing to spend time with Russ and give him lots of love and gentle direction, Russ will become an outstanding companion.  He is a very special dog.
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Russ is 10 months old, 16 inches tall, and weighs about 26 pounds.
His adoption fee is $450.

Bart

​Need a little fun in your life?  Bart is the guy to make you laugh at his antics or offer cuddles if he thinks you need them.  A dog that loves everybody, Bart adjusts easily to new settings and makes friends quickly among both humans and canines.
As soon as Bart arrived at his foster home, he immediately claimed a spot on the couch and looked around to scope out the possibilities for having some fun.  A romp with the two resident Shelties seemed most promising.  But he made a note of the ball pit for later use.  That memory came in handy in the middle of his first night when he decided he’d cuddled enough with each sleeping family member and needed some action.  He discovered that dropping balls from the ball pit down the stairs made lots of noise and got the humans’ attention.

When Bart accompanied the family to their company the next morning, he made the rounds of all the offices greeting employees, jumping into the lap of his favorite worker, and eventually taking over foster mom’s office chair.  This dog does not lack charm or confidence.
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Bart is reliably house trained and does not have accidents in the house.  He is neutered and up to date on all tests and vaccinations.  Still a puppy, Bart does like to chew.  If given plenty of sturdy toys, he leaves items belonging to the humans alone.  He walks well on a leash and loves to go for walks and meet new people.  Bart’s foster family is teaching him not to jump up when greeting people and to use his indoor voice.  He does like to bark and will bark when family members arrive home, when children are playing nextdoor, or when anyone comes to the door.  Bart is a larger than average Sheltie and he has a louder than average bark to go with his size.

The right forever home for Bart must have a fenced yard big enough for him to run full out and play fetch.  Another active canine to play chase with him would be highly desirable.  Loving humans who don’t object to dogs on the furniture or on their beds would be the best match.  Bart is a very social dog and would not do well in a home where he is left alone for long hours.  If his humans work outside the home, he will need to attend a good doggie daycare where he can run and play with other dogs.  He is strong and fast and would enjoy a variety of dog sports like agility or herding.  While he knows some basic commands, a good obedience course is highly recommended to teach him all the commands that will keep him safe.

Bart is …….14 months old, weighs 33 pounds, and is 19 inches tall.  His adoption fee is $450. ​