Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, All Herding breeds, Tell Me About Yours

[MiaS]

We lost our border collie in August. She would have been 18 next week. She was a great dog and my husband is eager to get another one. However, until I'm ready that 'aint gonna happen as they are a LOT of work and he won't be the one doing it, that will be me

Pros:

• Easy to train. They will do anything and often the first or second time
• Smart as whips (both a pro and a con)
• Fun to live with if you have the energy and time to devote to them
• Generally good health, though bad breeding is bad breeding. Ours had hip problems though she managed pretty well (lifelong raw diet was a big influencer in her overall health)
• Obviously if you have a need to herd geese, ducks or other livestock a well trained BC will be your bestie!

Cons (IMO) these are generalisations of course, there are exceptions to every rule:

• Smart as whips, if you don't have the time to devote to encouraging good behavior you will likely get BAD behaviour.
• Can be standoffish, though not all of them the few I've known liked their own family but could care less about other people, dogs etc. If I got another I'd try to get one that liked other dogs at least - life would have been easier
• Bossy!!! especially if they are dominant, they will boss everyone around. People say they wouldn't get a border collie because they don't want a dog smarter than them. I call BS, if you have a dog that is smarter than you that's not saying much - you are a human, they, though smart, are dogs - you're just not working hard enough at it!
• Not great with kids as they love to herd/boss little beings around.

General tips:

• Did I say they were smart as whips yet?
• Discourage bad behavior immediately. It won't take harshness, just good timing
• They are very sensitive so no harsh training IMO
• Don't over-play especially when young. They are super eager and do not easily tire out but their enthusiasm can cause bone issues when they are growing. If I got another I'd delay any major ball playing until full grown.
• Get one in the spring. I don't know if it is true but I have heard that dogs born in the spring are less likely to fear thunder. It's a drag when they do...
• All loud noises are potential to spook a BC.

We adored our Brie. I miss her company something fierce

I'd say if you remember the time and devotion that you'll need to make one well behaved then there is no more engaging dog breed available. Fun.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What a gorgeous dog. Thank you so much for the list. 18 years is a remarkable lifetime.

So one question is you said bossy. Bossy is one reason I wasn't considering another Aussie. They are so bossy. But if a border in general is bossy too than I'm back to the same issues.

My Aussies are bossy, wicked smart with a hilarious sense of humor. They are Velcro dogs. They don't have the need to work like a border collie does. It's the main reason I switched to Aussies. Now you have me rethinking it all. I guess in the end I will get one of the two.

You have given me loads to think about. I really appreciate it. And your dog really was gorgeous.

 

[CarpCharacin]

I have a male Border Collie / Australian Shepherd mix, who also has some American Staffordshire Terrier in him. We also used to have a female border collie, who was all border collie, but she passed away in the summer of 2015, before we got Chase, the Border Collie / Aussie mix.

Chase definitely has less of the "pathological intensity" that our full border collie had. He's smart, but I wouldn't say that he's as smart as our old border collie

 

[ShrekDawg]

That is a wonderful summary and information. Thanks so much for the info. And I agree, gorgeous dog.

And OHLD, I am sure the bossiness factor probably varies among the individual dogs. If you like the breed and really want one, then I say you should get one.

Was your last one bossy? I am sure you can find one that isn’t and especially with the training and stuff you do, I’m sure it will be fine.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have a male Border Collie / Australian Shepherd mix, who also has some American Staffordshire Terrier in him. We also used to have a female border collie, who was all border collie, but she passed away in the summer of 2015, before we got Chase, the Border Collie / Aussie mix.

Chase definitely has less of the "pathological intensity" that our full border collie had. He's smart, but I wouldn't say that he's as smart as our old border collie

He sounds Australian shepherd smart. They like to play dumb sometimes.

Which do you prefer?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That is a wonderful summary and information. Thanks so much for the info. And I agree, gorgeous dog.

And OHLD, I am sure the bossiness factor probably varies among the individual dogs. If you like the breed and really want one, then I say you should get one.

Was your last one bossy? I am sure you can find one that isn’t and especially with the training and stuff you do, I’m sure it will be fine.

It could be I'm still grieving my last Aussie, so I'm looking for something different, but now I'm starting to consider I may be too old for a border collie and should stick with my goofy Aussies. I liked the smaller size and less coat of the border collie, but maybe I will get overwhelmed with tennis balls.

The more I read and shake the cobwebs out of my brain the more I'm remembering about our border collie. There was a good reason I switched to Aussies.

 

[CarpCharacin]

He sounds Australian shepherd smart. They like to play dumb sometimes.

Which do you prefer?

I'm not sure, they're both good dogs. I think Chase is more suspicious, if he thinks he's going to get a bath, he'll go outside and refuse to come back in, LOL.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm not sure, they're both good dogs. I think Chase is more suspicious, if he thinks he's going to get a bath, he'll go outside and refuse to come back in, LOL.

I just have to sniff and my Aussie thinks she getting a bath. It's one of our running jokes. Than I laugh hysterically and she smiles and grabs the nearest toy.

 

[ShrekDawg]

It could be I'm still grieving my last Aussie, so I'm looking for something different, but now I'm starting to consider I may be too old for a border collie and should stick with my goofy Aussies. I liked the smaller size and less coat of the border collie, but maybe I will get overwhelmed with tennis balls.

The more I read and shake the cobwebs out of my brain the more I'm remembering about our border collie. There was a good reason I switched to Aussies.

That could be!!

and I’m sure you’ll be fine with either one!!

They’ll have enough exercise and mental stimulation with you.

But now you have me questioning it lol I really want to adopt that Aussie pup haha

 

[ShrekDawg]

I just have to sniff and my Aussie thinks she getting a bath. It's one of our running jokes. Than I laugh hysterically and she smiles and grabs the nearest toy.

Aussies do seem to have quite a sense of humor lol