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

[Folly's place]

Good contact information for that DNA test. And there now seem to be many Aussie/ border collie mixes, not all documented. That merle color pattern 'just appeared', right?!
Mary

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

He's a sweetheart and I love him but he's trouble. Like bell training was an adventure in him learning it, then ringing constantly, then figuring out he needed to pee outside or we'd march him right back in and not take him right back out so he starting to pretend to pee, then when we started not taking him out except every so many (2ish) hours after his last trip so he started to deliberately pee on the floor and THEN ring the bell.... Suddenly the idea of "if they pee on the floor just say no and take them out to pee! Don't punish or else!" was useless. So we had to go back to square one but if he peed on the floor we couldn't take him outdoors, so we started scolding him then shutting him in his crate when he peed on the floor, cleaning it up and THEN taking him out...

It's been about a month since his last accident. And he's using his bells consistently and properly right now. So knock on wood. Right now things are going MUCH better. But that's kind of how training everything is with him. He's smart enough to manipulate and cause trouble. So you gotta be one step ahead - or at least ready to react!

Oh, also it is the MDR1/2 that causes the sensitivity so same test.

He sounds more like an Aussie. I had a terrible time house breaking mine. They take forever. It's one of the many reasons I don't want to do another Australian shepherd currently. One is enough for me. They are a lot of dog in personality.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Good contact information for that DNA test. And there now seem to be many Aussie/ border collie mixes, not all documented. That merle color pattern 'just appeared', right?!
Mary

Back in the late 80's and 90's merle was a rare color in border collie from what I read. People seem to enjoy breeding that color, so I suppose more have been doing so. I'm sure somewhere in there is some inbreeding to make them more popular. I personally prefer the traditional black and white, and would hope they are a bit more healthy.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

He sounds more like an Aussie. I had a terrible time house breaking mine. They take forever. It's one of the many reasons I don't want to do another Australian shepherd currently. One is enough for me. They are a lot of dog in personality.

Well, housetraining is one of the few things he came with (on a schedule). He came with that and "sit" and "don't step under me" leash manners (but not don't pull or stay close kind), nothing else. But we wanted him bell trained. And he used our bell training in reverse and started peeing indoors as a way to get taken outdoors to play! As soon as he learned he could ask to be taken out he did everything in his power to keep trying to get us to react the way he wanted. The goal for him was never the bathroom - it was always 'how can I get them to take me out'.

Yeah but he's got NO fluff, and that BC stare and crouch-move-thing. (You know what I'm talking about.) Lots of personality but just SO much smarts. Training a smart dog is always a challenge.

Not trying to say you should/shouldn't. Sounds like you know what you're getting into. Just a reminder that BCs do those things too!.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Here is a good write up on it. Apparently it is not very common in Border Collies and is more common in Aussies, MAS, and regular Collies. Can occur in some other breeds though.

http://www.ashgi.org/home-page/genetics-info/faq/mdr1-faqs

I used to have that site bookmarked. Thanks for reconnecting me. I remember being told by my vet to never use ivomec in any collie. I buy Sentinel for my Aussies. My older one would have seizures after heartguard. That's when I researched it and figured it all out.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Well, housetraining is one of the few things he came with (on a schedule). He came with that and "sit" and "don't step under me" leash manners (but not don't pull or stay close kind), nothing else. But we wanted him bell trained. And used our bell training in reverse and started peeing indoors as a way to get taken outdoors to play! As soon as he learned he could ask to be taken out he did everything in his power to keep trying to get us to react the way he wanted. The goal for him was never the bathroom - it was always 'how can I get them to take me out'.

Yeah but he's got NO fluff, and that BC stare and crouch-move-thing. (You know what I'm talking about.) Lots of personality but just SO much smarts. Training a smart dog is always a challenge.

Not trying to say you should/shouldn't. Sounds like you know what you're getting into. Just a reminder that BCs do those things too!.

The eye. I enjoyed that.

I believe I'm prepared. I am home almost always, and my pack of dogs are my constant companions. I debated another Aussie but they can be troublemakers, always trying to be the boss. One is enough for now. I do like that type of dog. I like smart dogs too.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I used to have that site bookmarked. Thanks for reconnecting me. I remember being told by my vet to never use ivomec in any collie. I buy Sentinel for my Aussies. My older one would have seizures after heartguard. That's when I researched it and figured it all out.

No problem.

And that’s good to know. Thanks.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Libby does the eye and the crouch and stalk too lol that’s how we know she’s definitely got at least some Border Collie in her. Plus she’s wicked smart.

 

[SilkieLoverFarm]

Mine's 8 months old. If there's no ball in sight, it's an apple being dropped at my feet. No apple, then a pine cone. No pine cone, then a stick. Since you're active, don't mind the shedding, or having it by your side 24/7... I'm sure you'll be happy with the choice.

Mine too runs the goat/llama fence, sometimes sneaking in. Loves every baby thing in sight. Car rides. He's super ball intense. I think he was born potty trained and to fetch/return.

See his face in the picture? He loves babies. Doesnt want to miss a thing. He helped raise a litter of kittens.

He's a good boy.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mine's 8 months old. If there's no ball in sight, it's an apple being dropped at my feet. No apple, then a pine cone. No pine cone, then a stick. Since you're active, don't mind the shedding, or having it by your side 24/7... I'm sure you'll be happy with the choice.

Mine too runs the goat/llama fence, sometimes sneaking in. Loves every baby thing in sight. Car rides. He's super ball intense. I think he was born potty trained and to fetch/return.

View attachment 1983548
See his face in the picture? He loves babies. Doesnt want to miss a thing. He helped raise a litter of kittens.

View attachment 1983556

He's a good boy.

That's exactly as I remember mine. We used to buy tennis balls by the ton as she would lose them in the barn gutters, and they would end up out in the field.

What a gorgeous boy. Thanks for confirming what I remembered about mine. He is a good boy.