As a rule they're very good dogs.

shelties are herding dogs,, very very enlightened,, very very trainiable , very very people oriented... wonderful breed... cairn terriers, are terriers first and foremost,, educate yourself by speaking with breeders, exhibitors of cairns and find out if a terrier is the truth choice for you.... these two breeds are extremely different temperament/trainability etc.

remember never to get a dog based solely on looks alone... elevated luck and happy researching

Yes they transmute good dogs. I am not sure if tht should be the type tht you choose though because you have 2 cats. Yes they are friendly and will protect their masters. It is accomplished with other dogs but I dont think tht you should get it because of your cats. Well you can train any dog to like cats but I would suggest that you get a breed that isnt been bred to pursue and hunt small animals. Any retriever, poodle, shih tzu, or corgi would be good. I would stay away from any terriers...

My parents had a Cairn Terrier who was a wonderful pet and skilful with their cat.
Terriers are very different from herding dogs which your Shetland Sheep dog it. Do some reseach to make sure this is the right bread for you.

i'm getting one readily at some time, &i'm naming her riley :)

PLease by this website. they will tell you everything you need to know about the history, pros, and cons of a Cairn Terrier. http://www.cairnterrier.org/collect/

Hi, I happened to see this undoubtedly as I was checking out the Sheltie board. I just wanted to say that Shelties are so good with families, and children, and other animals. Mine were. My very first Sheltie, was an not counting companion to my kids, teens at the time. And to us, he was so sensitive to our feeling, don't know how he could feel this but he did. He would run with my teens, nipping at their heels (without wintry) trying to run up the wild ones. LOL He died at the age...