Here’s what you need to know if you’re searching for Sheltie breeders in Illinois. Shelties, or Shetland Sheepdogs, are a Scottish herding breed that functions much like miniature Collies. They are fast, eager to learn, and obedient when trained correctly.
In a family setting, Shelties are affectionate and love their humans, to the point of sensing the families’ moods and reacting accordingly. Shelties are also excellent watchdogs! They are straightforward to train, potty, and teach, as they are eager to learn and earn approval from their families.
Their coat is soft and fluffy, perfect for cuddling. They shed a bit when their coats blow, as is typical with long, double coats. When you’ve decided to add a Sheltie to your home, you want to be careful finding a breeder. The Sheltie has been in the Top 50 dog breeds as rated by the AKC since its inception in 1911.
Before scrolling down this list of Sheltie breeders in Illinois, check out these breeder recommendations: Best Belgian Malinois Breeders in Illinois and Best Basset Hound Breeders in Illinois.
Sheltie Puppies For Sale in Illinois
Backyard breeders and puppy mills may try to breed shelties quickly to make money, resulting in low-quality (and sometimes severely cared for) puppies. Instead of looking for the least high-priced, look for a breeder that offers guarantees.
You should see where the dogs are raised, and the breeder should offer a look at the puppy’s parents. The most reputable breeders have AKC registration options, health guarantees, and a shot and deworming record for each puppy.
Avoid breeders who don’t know anything about the breed standard or ones that offer to meet you elsewhere to deliver a puppy. Of course, the exception to this rule is when a breeder ships you a puppy. Still, they should offer plenty of pictures and the proper paperwork.
Sheltie Product Recommendations: Best Dog Dental Wipes and Best No Spill Dog Water Bowls.
1. PuppySpot’s Shelties For Illinois
Since you’re searching for Sheltie breeders in Illinois, also known as the Shetland Sheepdog, you should check out PuppySpot’s platform.
PuppySpot is a dog marketplace where you find scroll through many available Sheltie dogs that you might be interested in. Browsing at the comfort of your home in Illinois, you can find many other breeds similar to the Shetland Sheepdog.
All Sheltie breeders on PuppySpot are required to go through a strict screening process, so you can rest assured knowing that your puppy will be safely shipped to your home in Illinois. Before you continue on your search for a Sheltie puppy for sale in Illinois, check out the link below.
PuppySpot Details
- Website: PuppySpot’s Shelties
- Phone Number: (866) 269-1056
2. Honeyblossom Collies & Sheltie
Carol Steiner, the Breeder and Owner-Handler of Honeyblossom Collies & Shelties has all the marks of a good breeder. She is a member of the AKC’s Breeder of Merit Program, the Collie Club of America (since 1995), and she is an AKC Conformation Judge.
Will all of those credentials under her belt, she knows what she’s doing when it comes to shelties. Her breeding operation is extremely low-volume and focused on producing quality dogs.
She breeds health and temperament as well as beauty. There are only a few litters available per year. Most litters have show lines or champion lines, but only a few litters a year.
You’ll need your vet information and three references to get a puppy from Honeyblossom Collies & Shelties. Puppies are not sold for breeding purposes, as they are companion animals only. Some may be used for the show, though there might be an additional fee.
There is no information about how much puppies cost, but a call or email is preferred to begin communications. On the website, you can find images of all of this breeder’s past show dogs, pedigrees of her most essential dogs, and plenty of pictures of past puppies.
Puppies are raised in the home and weaned at the appropriate time. They use musical toys to get used to sounds and socialize them for busy life with their new families. Puppies come with AKC registration, which will be released when Carol receives proof of spay/neuter.
They are earnest about their non-breeding contract clauses. They have been wormed before you get your puppy, have their distemper and parvo shots, and have their eyes checked. A phone call or email is preferred for contact for more information about the puppies and breeders.
Honeyblossom Collies & Sheltie Details
- Location: New Lenox, IL
- Telephone: (817) 485-7022
- Website: Honeyblossom Collies & Shelties
- Email: [email protected]
3. Casino Shelties
Casino Shelties started breeding dogs and showing them in obedience competitions in 1990. Today, this kennel has multiple titles and champion dogs in all avenues, with a small number of litters available yearly.
They focus on breeding show-approved dogs that meet the breed standard. They are AKC Breeders of Merit and participants in the Bred with H.E.A.R.T. program for responsible breeders.
Casino Shelties are members of the American Shetland Sheepdog Association and the Greater St. Louis Shetland Sheepdog Club (for 25 years). Since then, they’ve earned eight champion titles, a handful of agility titles, and some herding, obedience, and obedience champion trials.
This is the breeding stock that you can expect a puppy to come from. You can find all of their available puppies, expected litters, and more on the website. Outside of the puppies, they sell directly after weaning. Unfortunately, they sometimes have older dogs available that didn’t have the correct temperament for competition.
These dogs are generally less expensive than those sold as puppies, but they have the same spay/neuter agreement. Older dogs can range from $1,800 and up. Puppies from Casino Shelties come well-socialized and with up-to-date shots. Parents are health tested, and pedigree information is available.
The state of AKC registration is not apparent, though the breeder’s participation in AKC-sponsored breeding programs suggests that they come with non-breeding paperwork. It’s always worth it to contact Casino Shelties to see if there will be a litter soon. The website is kept up to date with information, plenty of pictures, and more.
Casino Shelties Details
- Location: Edwardsville, IL
- Telephone: (618) 980-5881
- Website: Casino Shelties
- Email: [email protected]
4. Goodwin Shelties
Last on the list of Sheltie breeders in Illinois is “Goodwin Shelties.” Goodwin Shelties is a small-volume breeding operation from an experienced breeding family. The owner, breeder, and operator, Jaime Goodwin, was raised in a home that bred Collies as a hobby.
After obtaining an Animal Science degree, Jaime bred Shetland Sheepdogs (miniature collies, for all intents and purposes). She breeds for the breed standard, including movement and temperament for success in the conformation ring.
Puppies are socialized extensively, and the kennel is very selective for which dogs they keep. Sometimes, they have companion puppies and show puppies available. All puppies come with their first shots, a microchip, deworming, and a health guarantee.
Companion puppies and adults up to 3 years old are $2,800 on average, with a 50% non-refundable deposit to hold the puppy. Pet dogs are sold on a non-breeding contract with a strict spay/neuter agreement in place.
Show puppies and adults up to 3 years cost $3,500 with the same deposit, though they do not have a spay/neuter contract in place. Each puppy comes with AKC registration on hand, though it won’t be released on non-breeding contracts until proof of spay or neuter is received.
Be prepared to wait a while for a puppy from Goodwin Shelties. Her Shelties are in high demand, and she doesn’t maintain a waiting list due to excess interest.
Contacting Jaime Goodwin directly is one of the only ways to ensure that you’ll get a puppy when they become available. Contracts for each type of puppy are available on the website, as well as pictures of the dogs that make their home at Goodwin Shelties.
Goodwin Shelties Details
- Location: Wilmington, IL
- Telephone: (815) 953-0417
- Website: Goodwin Shelties
- Email: [email protected]
Conclusion For The “Sheltie Breeders in Illinois”
Shelties are a hardworking, sensitive, and loving breed. Adding one to your family is a big step, but they are one of the most rewarding dog breeds to adopt. Ensure that you vet every breeder carefully before sending money or agreeing to purchase a puppy. Look for the red flags mentioned earlier and be vigilant.
For more guides similar to this list of Sheltie breeders in Illinois, you can check out:
- Best Sheltie Breeders in Pennsylvania
- Best Sheltie Breeders in Colorado
- Best Sheltie Breeders in Ohio
Learn more about the Shetland Sheepdog by watching “8 Things Only Sheltie Dog Owners Understand” down below:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=XdUqG965tOk
Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
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