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

[oldhenlikesdogs]

in the spirit of this thread, Merry Christmas from Argos and his little buddy Jasper.
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Merry Christmas to you and your gorgeous pups.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Merry Christmas to all treat others as you want to be treated

 

[ShrekDawg]

I think I need an Aussie too. They have Aussie puppies on the TV right now and they’re the cutest things I’ve ever seen

 

[ShrekDawg]

Oh and Merry Christmas everyone!!!

 

[ShrekDawg]

in the spirit of this thread, Merry Christmas from Argos and his little buddy Jasper.
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They are so cute. Merry Christmas!!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Now they have goats and Aussies on at the same time and it’s so adorable.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Now they have goats and Aussies on at the same time and it’s so adorable.

I was watching the same show. I also loved the kittens.

 

[ShrekDawg]

A good friend has a Kelpie. They have mountain property in N Wyoming with horses, llamas and other critters. "Gus" has been a great dog for them BUT he has a lot of jobs as well as all the people time he needs/wants. He is not crazy or hyper at all.
Kelpies are stock dogs and are known to run across the backs of a herd of sheep in order to get where they need to go. They are athletic, smart and strong working dogs. As with the other herding breeds, they need work to do, regularly.
Their other dog is a Border Collie, also from working lines. She too is reliable and mellow. Again: she has work to do, gets as much exercise and people time as she needs.
IMO, handling makes a huge difference with many high energy dogs. It's easy to ruin a dog.
There are reasons dogs end up in shelters, rescue or getting re-homed repeatedly. Mostly there's not a good match between people expectations and real life. It takes a lot to bring a dog back from negative early experiences.

Thanks!! This is good info. They both seem like great breeds but both do seem better suited to farm life or at least being able to be outside all day. A Kelpie probably wouldn’t be a good idea but I do think I could handle another herding breed but idk if it’d be a border collie.

They could be outside tons here too though ha

Idk.

Probably be better off with an Aussie or less intense breed.

But then I tell myself maybe I’m a bit too analytical or overthinking it or whatever and I’d probably be fine because tons of people have them even though they shouldn’t and barely do anything with them and they’re “fine”!(not really but they keep them) and I would be way better than that cause I love training and working with them and everything and would do tons, way more than most people. But I want to be sure. So idk.

But yeah, I agree. Far too many people get them and can’t handle them or inadvertently train the dog to be obnoxious and not know how to relax hah

They definitely need a certain type of handler.

I think I could probably provide that or at least for a working type dog, don’t know if it’d necessarily be a border collie haha, but don’t know if I want to. Idk. Guess it depends. I know some are very intense.

They seem like great dogs though.

I know far too many people get dogs just because they are cool or popular or pretty or whatever all of which are horrible reasons to get a dog. I would never do that of course but far too many people do.

And sadly, the working type ones are the ones that are super popular atm. They’re cute and pretty and everybody wants them!!

Huskies and Aussies mostly lately it seems but corgis and BCs too.

Everybody thinks corgis are these cute little fat fluff balls and don’t realize they need exercise and work and they’re not supposed to be fat.

Or they get a Shiba Inu because of all the social media memes about them or whatever but don’t realize they can be a very challenging dog and though cute, they’re really not super cuddly or affectionate.

Also I’ve seen like at least 4 separate ads for Belgian Malinois puppies on Craigslist the last few days!! These are NOT dogs that should be posted on CL and offered to just anybody as I’m sure you well know!!

Hopefully they screen the owners too and are just using CL to reach more people considering most of the the parents are working dogs or imports but still. They might not be. Some of them didn’t even spell the breed name right so I’m thinking they’ll sell them to some idiot who wants a “tough” dog.

Tons of GSDs on there too.

You are very right about those early months. They are so important to the dogs long term stability, and happiness.

Kelpies do seem intense. I personally wouldn't want one unless I had cattle to work.

I agree!! And it’s so unfair to the dog when people get a dog without thinking it through only to rehome it shortly after.

And yeah I agree!! But some of the cattle herding BCs seem intense too haha

My Australian Cattle Dogs were my life! They came to work with me for most of the years. They lived to be 17 and 19 years old and enjoyed amazing health throughout their lives. I fostered many during their lifetime and just love the breed. I really love all ranch-type dogs. Due to my current schedule, I have to wait a few years before getting another dog. So I got chickens
But I highly recommend any ranch-type dog and so many wonderful dogs are available in shelters. Raising a puppy is also a fantastic way to go! Good luck finding your next buddy!!!

They really do seem like amazing dogs!!!

I know a few Kelpies mostly owned by people who do stockwork but I don't know much about their temperament or suitability as a pet. I know they work stock with speed and "eye" much like a Border Collie but were bred for a completely different environment. They are not as common as pets.

Thanks!! This is good to know.

They do seem like rather intense dogs ha

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We have 2 Aussies and wouldn’t have any other breed!
Yes they are high energy, and many people get them and think it’s ok to throw them In the backyard and forget about them.
Of course that is just a recipe for disaster!
As you well know they need a job!!
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise with these breeds!
Our girls are 13 and have stopped herding, however they are now our Aussie LGD. They watch over the flock, and are out with me all the time.
I love everything’s about this breed. I even anticipate the daily tripping over them in the kitchen, dining room, and any other location that I may pause for more than a few moments!
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Aussies seem amazing. Now I’m really torn between Aussies and BCs. I think a BC might be a bit too much for me but I won’t know till I try it so I kind of want to try ha

But Aussies seem amazing.

I saw two more today. Seem to be tons of herding breeds here haha

But they were huge. Especially one. Weren’t even sure they were Aussies at first. Looked like a moose LOL not really but it was quite massive especially compared to the others I had recently seen.

What beautiful old girls. I am in denial that they are one of my favorite breeds. Mine always drive me nutty, but they are always with me. They are also long lived and gorgeous dogs. I've pretty much come to the conclusion another Aussie is in my near future. I hope the next is easier to house break and isn't such a big goof. Either way I will love it just the same. They are a breed that's hard to give up after being owned by them.

They sure do seem like amazing dogs!! And there seem to be tons available right now everywhere. I think I need to try one.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I was watching the same show. I also loved the kittens.

The kittens were cute too!! And the rabbits!! And the Lab puppies haha

 

[ShrekDawg]

Sorry, didn’t mean to type a huge novel as usual.