Buddyz is pet business management software that helps grooming salons, dog daycares, boarding businesses, and multi-location pet service operators manage scheduling, check-in, pet profiles, customer communication, payments, and daily operations in one platform.

Who is Buddyz built for?

Buddyz is built for pet business owners and teams running grooming salons, dog daycares, boarding facilities, and multi-location pet service businesses. It adapts to grooming-only shops, daycare-only operations, combined services, and multi-location businesses.

Is Buddyz free to start?

Yes. Buddyz starts with a free Core Platform that includes smart scheduling, pet intelligence, and smart check-in. Add-on capabilities for grooming, daycare, boarding, operations, customer communication, payments, and reporting are available as modular add-ons.

Does Buddyz replace scheduling software like Vagaro or MindBody for pet businesses?

Buddyz goes beyond scheduling. While it includes smart scheduling and booking, it also provides live operations workflow, pet intelligence (profiles, grooming notes, vaccine tracking), customer communication, deposit and payment processing, and business reporting — all in one platform built specifically for pet service businesses.

Can Buddyz track pet vaccine records?

Yes. Buddyz tracks vaccine records, expiration dates, and compliance requirements as part of each pet's profile. This is particularly useful for daycare and boarding businesses that require up-to-date vaccination documentation before accepting pets.

How does Buddyz reduce no-shows for pet appointments?

Buddyz reduces no-shows by enabling businesses to collect deposits at booking, save cards on file, and send automated appointment reminders to customers. This combination of financial commitment and timely communication significantly reduces last-minute cancellations and no-shows.

Does Buddyz work for multi-location pet businesses?

Yes. Buddyz supports multi-location operations with shared customer and pet profiles across locations, location-level access controls, role management, team visibility, and consolidated business reporting.

What makes Buddyz different from traditional pet salon software?

Traditional pet salon software focuses on calendar booking. Buddyz is a full operating system that adds live workflow visibility, operations intelligence, pet profile management, grooming history tracking, automated customer communication, and payment processing alongside scheduling — giving pet businesses a complete platform instead of disconnected tools.

Do Shetland Sheepdogs bark a lot?

Barking is one of the biggest things to plan for with a Sheltie. As alert herding dogs, they're naturally inclined to sound off at anything they notice — passers-by, other dogs, doorbells, or simple excitement. The good news is they're highly trainable, so teaching a reliable 'quiet' cue and rewarding calm from puppyhood makes a real difference. Plenty of exercise and mental stimulation also reduce boredom barking. If a quiet dog is a priority, or you live somewhere with close neighbours, be prepared to put in the training work.

Are Shetland Sheepdogs good family dogs?

Shelties make loving, loyal family dogs that bond closely with their people and are gentle with children. They do best in active homes that can provide daily exercise, training, and plenty of company, as they dislike being left alone. Their herding instinct may show as trying to circle or gently nip at running children, which is easily redirected with training. Early socialisation is important to keep their naturally reserved nature confident rather than shy. For a family that enjoys training and activity, few breeds are more rewarding.

How much grooming does a Shetland Sheepdog need?

The Sheltie's long double coat needs brushing right down to the skin two or three times a week to prevent mats, with special attention behind the ears, around the neck ruff, and on the legs and rear. Twice a year they shed their undercoat heavily and need daily brushing to keep up. Baths are occasional, and the coat should never be shaved, as it insulates the dog against both heat and cold. It looks like a lot of work, but with a good routine it's very manageable.

Do Shetland Sheepdogs need a lot of exercise?

Shelties are athletic working dogs that need a good hour or more of daily physical exercise, plus plenty of mental stimulation to stay happy. A couple of walks alone won't be enough for many of them — they truly thrive on training, trick work, fetch, and dog sports like agility and obedience, where they excel. A bored, under-exercised Sheltie is far more likely to bark excessively and develop nuisance habits. Keep recall sharp, too, as they love to chase moving things including cars and bikes.

Shetland Islands, Scotland • Herding

Shetland Sheepdog

A brilliant, sensitive little herder that lives to learn, work, and stay close to its family.

Weight15–25 lbs

Height13–16 in

Lifespan12–14 years

SizeSmall

Overview

Small, agile herding dog from the Shetland Islands, resembling a miniature Rough Collie with a dense double coat, intelligent expression, and alert demeanor. A distinct breed known for its bright, playful nature and collie-like appearance.

Best for

•Active people who love training and want a highly intelligent, devoted companion for obedience, agility, or family life. Shelties suit attentive owners home for much of the day and homes ready for a sensitive, vocal, energetic dog.

May not suit

•Owners wanting a quiet, low-maintenance, or independent dog, or those out for long hours. Shelties bark readily, shed heavily, can be shy without socialisation, and dislike being left alone.

History & Origins

Developed in the rugged Shetland Islands of Scotland as a small, hardy herding dog for sheep and ponies in harsh conditions. Created by crossing native dogs with Border Collies, Scotch Collies and possibly Spitz breeds. Recognized by AKC in 1911.

Characteristics & Traits

Apartment Living3 / 5

Families with Children4 / 5

First-Time Owners4 / 5

Other Dogs4 / 5

Alone Time Tolerance2 / 5

Shedding Level4 / 5

Grooming Needs4 / 5

Trainability5 / 5

Barking5 / 5

Prey Drive3 / 5

Energy Level4 / 5

Lifestyle

Apartment Living

3/5

Families with Children

4/5

First-Time Owners

4/5

Other Dogs

4/5

Alone Time Tolerance

2/5

Shedding Level

4/5

Grooming Needs

4/5

Behavior

Trainability

5/5

Barking

5/5

Prey Drive

3/5

Exercise

Energy Level

4/5

Exercise & Training

Aim for around 60–90 minutes of total activity per day. An active, athletic herder that needs a good hour or more of daily exercise plus mental work. Shelties genuinely excel at agility and obedience, which satisfy both body and mind at once.

Daily Walks by Living Situation

Apartment or Home Without a Backyard

2 walks / day

~40 min each

In a flat, plan two solid walks plus training and games each day, and put real effort into quiet training — an under-stimulated Sheltie becomes a barker.

Home With a Backyard

2 walks / day

~35 min each

A secure garden is great for play and sniffing, but a Sheltie needs proper walks, training, and company — space alone won't meet its needs, and it may bark at everything passing the fence.

Daycare or Park Time?

Sociable, active Shelties can enjoy daycare, which burns energy and eases their dislike of being alone. A calm, well-run group suits them better than a chaotic one.

Some herding breeds, including Shelties, can carry the MDR1 gene mutation that causes sensitivity to certain common medications. Ask your breeder about testing and tell your vet your dog is a herding breed before any drugs are given.

Shelties have a strong instinct to chase moving things, including cars, bikes, and joggers. Keep recall sharp and use a lead near roads until it's reliable.

Training

One of the most trainable breeds there is — quick, willing, and superb at obedience and agility.

Lean into their love of learning — Shelties thrive on trick training, obedience, and dog sports like agility.
Use gentle, reward-based methods; this sensitive breed can shut down or worry under harsh handling.
Socialise early and thoroughly so their natural wariness of strangers doesn't tip into shyness or nervousness.
Teach a reliable 'quiet' cue from the start — Shelties are enthusiastic barkers by nature.
Channel the herding and chase instinct with recall practice and games rather than letting it fixate on cars or joggers.

Keep sessions positive and varied; they learn fast and love earning praise, so channel that into fun jobs and sports.

For Pet Parents

The Shetland Sheepdog wears a long, dense double coat with an impressive mane and skirt, but it's less demanding than it looks provided you brush right down to the skin regularly. It sheds heavily, moults twice a year, and should never be shaved.

Difficulty: Moderate

Grooming Commitment

The Sheltie's long double coat looks dramatic but is more manageable than it appears — with regular, thorough brushing. Count on brushing right down to the skin a few times a week, daily during the twice-yearly moult, and never shave the coat, which protects against both heat and cold.

At-Home Basics

Difficulty: Moderate

Caring for Your Shetland Sheepdog at Home

Brush down to the skin regularly

Brush thoroughly two or three times a week, working in sections from the skin outwards. The dense undercoat mats close to the body if you only skim the surface.

Watch the mat-prone spots

Tangles form fastest behind the ears, in the ruff around the neck, and on the back of the legs and rear. Pay these areas extra attention every brushing session.

Manage the seasonal moult

Twice a year Shelties shed their undercoat heavily. Brush daily during these weeks, and a bath followed by thorough brushing helps release the loose coat faster.

Keep on top of nails, teeth, and ears

Trim nails roughly monthly, brush teeth several times a week, and check the ears weekly. Small, regular habits prevent bigger problems.

Mistakes to Avoid

Only brushing the top coat, letting mats form unseen in the dense undercoat next to the skin.
Shaving the coat in summer, which damages its natural insulation and protection.
Underestimating the twice-yearly moult and falling behind on brushing.
Neglecting the mat-prone areas behind the ears and on the legs until knots have to be cut out.

When to Call in a Professional

A professional groom every couple of months, and especially during heavy shedding season, helps clear the dead undercoat with a proper bath and blow-out. Book sooner if you find matting you can't gently work out at home.

Coat & Colors

Type: Long double coat
Family: Double coat
Undercoat: Yes
Shedding: High
Seasonal Change: Twice yearly, heavy
Matting Risk: Moderate

Common Problem Areas

Behind the earsNeck ruffBack of the legsRear skirt

Frequently Asked Questions

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