Rushdoggie
Songster
(Aussie owners cover your eyes! I am about to make you mad!)
I think we talked in the other thread, but I unlike many in this thread I would choose a Border Collie hands down over an Aussie.
I have had herding dogs for 25 years...I have owned and fostered a dozen or more BCs.
I have also fostered a few Aussies through a herding dog rescue.
I know a ton of Aussies as they are very popular as pets here. I have several very good friends who I train with regularly who have them, both working type and more show type. They are smart and funny and their owners love them, and I see the appeal.
That said, I would never want one. I find my Border Collies have been easier to train, both basic training and advanced stuff. They figure out a ton of stuff without even really being taught. They are good with rules and order...teaching stuff like respecting boundaries they could easily get over and understanding teh concept of "house toys" and "outside toys" and that I never want a gross outside toy on my couch! I find them calmer in the house (much better off switch), smaller and less hairy and easier to groom. They are better at respecting personal space...my friends dogs slam into me, are right in my face, bounce and knock into furniture. They knock stuff off of tables and one I baby sat nearly knocked my TV off the stand.
They bark way more, and several whine A LOT (kind of makes me nuts). About half are less reliable off lead far longer than my Border Collies have been. And lastly, and not terribly importantly, I find them way more attractive with their tails and their build.
YMMV, my friends with Aussies feel the same way about Border Collies as I do about Aussies. I love Border Collies but honestly never see myself owning an Aussie.
I think we talked in the other thread, but I unlike many in this thread I would choose a Border Collie hands down over an Aussie.
I have had herding dogs for 25 years...I have owned and fostered a dozen or more BCs.
I have also fostered a few Aussies through a herding dog rescue.
I know a ton of Aussies as they are very popular as pets here. I have several very good friends who I train with regularly who have them, both working type and more show type. They are smart and funny and their owners love them, and I see the appeal.
That said, I would never want one. I find my Border Collies have been easier to train, both basic training and advanced stuff. They figure out a ton of stuff without even really being taught. They are good with rules and order...teaching stuff like respecting boundaries they could easily get over and understanding teh concept of "house toys" and "outside toys" and that I never want a gross outside toy on my couch! I find them calmer in the house (much better off switch), smaller and less hairy and easier to groom. They are better at respecting personal space...my friends dogs slam into me, are right in my face, bounce and knock into furniture. They knock stuff off of tables and one I baby sat nearly knocked my TV off the stand.
They bark way more, and several whine A LOT (kind of makes me nuts). About half are less reliable off lead far longer than my Border Collies have been. And lastly, and not terribly importantly, I find them way more attractive with their tails and their build.
YMMV, my friends with Aussies feel the same way about Border Collies as I do about Aussies. I love Border Collies but honestly never see myself owning an Aussie.
