Shetland Sheepdogs: Meet Phoebe

Ch Zesta Dare To Be Bold NS NR

(Ch Zesta Ask Me How x Zesta Answer The Bling) March 17, 2024

Phoebe, our beloved Sheltie, joined our family in 2024 from Jenn & Gabe DeBoer and Laura Thompson of Zesta. She quickly made her presence known.

Proudly, Phoebe earned her Canadian Championship owner-handled, along with her Novice Rally and Novice Sprinter titles — achievements that highlight the excellence of the Shetland Sheepdog breed.

Phoebe is a confident, expressive Sheltie with a strong presence and an enthusiastic approach to everything she does. She is quick to learn, enjoys working, and brings energy and personality to both training and the ring. For 2026 we will focus more on sprinter/lure, rally, herding and hopefully start some agility training, as Phoebe really wants to get to work. Maybe into 2027/2028 we will come back to complete her Grand Championship Title.

At home, Phoebe is playful, engaged, and always ready to be involved. She thrives on interaction and enjoys having a job to do and I am pretty sure her BFF is our devon/sphynx resuce mew! Whether training, travelling, or just being part of the day, Phoebe approaches everything with curiosity and confidence.

Phoebe brings drive, attitude, and presence together in a way that makes her both fun to work with and rewarding to live with. Fully CKC Registered.

Happy black and white dog standing on snow with houses in the background.

Health Testing

Phoebe Sheltie has successfully completed genetic health screening for the Shetland Sheepdog breed and will proceed with the recommended remaining OFA testing as she matures.

Genetic Testing:

Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA): Clear

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA - CNGA1): Clear

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (BBS2 Variant): Clear

MDR1 Drug Sensitivity: Normal / Normal

Von Willebrand Disease Type III: Clear

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM): Carrier (1 copy)

Dermatomyositis (DMS): Low Risk (002:01|002:01 aabb)

Copper Toxicosis: Carrier (1 copy)

*Phoebe's CHIC will occur when her hips are evaluated in 2026.

Border collie walking attentively beside a person on a leash.

Conformation Showing

I show Phoebe, my Shetland Sheepdog, as an owner-handler. We have achieved our Canadian Championship CKC title, and now we are working towards our Grand Championship title. I love this adventure I am on with her. I will forever be grateful to Zesta for allowing Phoebe to be part of my family.

Herding Instinct

With the Edmonton Shetland Sheepdog Fanciers Club (ESSFC) we did a herding trial at the Chinook Dog Center. Phoebe loved every moment of it, and you can surely see that herd instinct coming out! We will be doing more herding in 2026!

Sprinters!

Needless to say this is Phoebes absolute favourite thing to do! And it is the one sport, that being hyped up is the goal! The ALCA group was fantastic in introducing us to this sport and we have not looked back. Phoebe, like her sister Winnie, titled quickly for the 1st part of the CKC Sprinter Trials, and Phoebe is also working on her Coursing Titles too.

A dog on a leash looking up at a person in a black skirt outdoors.

Baby Phoebe - "Baby Shark - do'do'do"

Phoebe has always been a charismatic presence, showcasing her playful character in everything she does. As a tiny ball of fluff, she was quite the handful in the puppy ring! During her first outing to the show ring, this charming baby fluff came home proudly with a Baby Puppy Ribbon, marking her early success in the conformation ring.