Border Collie

[Pupsnpullets]

Greyfields, I grew up with border collies, working collies, huntaways etc in New Zealand. Working collies are similar to the english shepherd and the australian shepherd. Huntaways are also herding dogs derived from the B.Cs but used from sending stock away loudly, an amazing asset in rough country where the silent border collie can't always see the stock and the stock choose to remain outta site.

I would never have another B.C again unless I thoroughly studied the pedigree and had access to seeing other members of the family work and, more importantly, at leisure. Lots of strains have been overbred in recent years, and are neurotic and nippy. Even back then, in the 60's and 70's, as kids, we knew not to mess with border collies too much.

I now have Australian Shepherds. When there's no job to do they make excellent speed bumps and lumps on logs, however, all I have to say is 'hey, you guys, I need a hand here!' and they're all business. Good natured, relaxed and yet awesome working dogs.

Oh, and two of the vets I've known tell me they almost dread seeing a BC in their waiting rooms.

Just my opinion with some life experience to back it up.

Good luck with your choice.

Barb

 

[greyfields]

Well I'm hoping that we went with a non-registered dog means we won't get too much of the inbreeding for either show or performance dogs.

So far, so good. No whining last night, her first night in the crate. That's amazing.

 

[Beekissed]

I have a 3/4 Chocolate Lab, 1/4 Border Collie mix and I can't say enough good things about him. Don't get me wrong, he has a few flaws but the good outweighs the bad....so he gets to stay!

I've never owned a dog with so much intelligence, speed and willingness to work. Hardly ever barks but when he does, you need to pay attention. Tough as nails with a great prey drive...before he was a year old he had killed a large coon, a large groundhog and a very large river rat (all the while confined to the yard).....not a mark on him! He kills all mice, moles, and can snatch a bird out of the air but doesn't lay a tooth on the chickens that I freerange. Has that BC stance and eye, as well as the moves. Won't fetch a darn thing, walks on his toes, has a flat smooth coat but tolerates the coldest temps without any notice. Good around stock but haven't tried him on herding yet. Loves to play hide and seek for hours, great nose and visual on the hunt. Obedient and sweet, never have heard him growl.

I've had Labs and I love them dearly, but the BC sure adds a special flavor to this one's personality!
Quirky but loveable, big lap dog!

 

[greyfields]

I have to 40 mph couch potatoes already. My dog affection requiremetns are largely met.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Hey, I thought you already had enough to do around the farm, greyfields!

Have fun with your new pup! I hope she works out to be a fine herder.

I've been wanting an aussie forever and a day. I'm going to read that book that was recommended earlier and maybe some day I'll finally get that dog I've been dreaming about. . . .

 

[flyingmonkeypoop]

We have a border collie named Newt. We got her at an animal swap when she was a puppy. She was the only female and we went to the peoples place to see the parents. The people lived way up in the mountains on a sheep ranch, they had a shack and an out house, it was nasty. Both parents are working dogs and look like normal border collies, one was long haired and the other short. We originally got her for a pet and to be a show dog for 4-H and do agility and such. When we went to check out the pups she immediatly stood out to me. All of the pups had similar markings but she has gold eyes. I have never seen a dog with gold eyes, only wolves.
I think she was meant to be my dog. Mom says its hers but Newt only listens to me. One thing that I have noticed is that she can be very posessive of me. The other day I was petting another dog and Newt went and took a pee on my backpack.
She is very hyper, she runs around the house chasing cats. We have never had her trained but when the goats got out she ran straight infront of them and brought them back, it was awesome. She is way smarter than the other dogs. In our house there is a loop when the doors are open that goes from the kitchen to the bathroom to a bedroom to the livingroom and then the kitchen. Well we have our dogs chase us around it. The other dogs will run around and around but Newt knows that someone will be coming so she goes the opposite way and gets them halfway through. She also just has an intelegent look to her. We want to breed her to a sheltie because we have a border collie x sheltie that is awesome. She is smart like the BC but small like a sheltie, the only bad thing is that she has a high pitch yip from the sheltie.

 

[greyfields]

 

[raindrop]

Piper is adorable! Congratulations!

Keep us posted as she grows. They are so fun.

(Raindrop, you can't get a puppy, you are having an actual human child soon)
Sorry, I need to remind myself when I see BC pups!

 

[katechickie101]

I have two purebred border collies they are the best dogs I've ever had