Aussie VS. Border Collie...the great debate

[RD]

My border collies have an off-switch, but it can disappear periodically when they're under 2-3 years of age. Right now Eve is going through a hellacious "I'M A CRAZY PUPPY" stage and it's got me at my wit's end. She won't settle down unless she's thoroughly exhausted, crated, leashed or put in a down-stay. But that's part of having a young dog, you can't expect perfection from a pup.

Obnoxious puppy phases aside, my dogs all understand the meaning of "settle down" and will amuse themselves quietly with a bone or toy if I want them to be still and out of the way. But I notice a lot of people do want their dog to spend a lot of time sleeping, and mine certainly don't do that. They're very alert.

But I know what Zoom means, I do think Border Collies are more active and intense so even their "standby" mode is kind of "on" to some people.

[Paige]

My BC's have a terrific off switch.... just not in the morning teehehehe.


My take on it is Aussies and BC's are like comparing apples and oranges. Both are fruits and round(ish) but taste totally different. Not much help in the specifics but I always find getting out and meeting the breed is your best bet. Better yet meet a dog of that breed with awful manners and see if you can tolerate the breed at it's worst.

[ihartgonzo]

Originally Posted by Paige

Better yet meet a dog of that breed with awful manners and see if you can tolerate the breed at it's worst.

That is REALLY good advice!

However... I have met a few horribly behaved Border Collies who, if I would have met before Gonzo, probably would have changed my mind about the breed. There are some very traumatized, neurotic Border Collies sitting in backyards out there. D: I know a few personally, and it's just sad, because it is absolutely the owners' fault. I also know a few insane Aussies, who again, just were never paid enough attention to.

My thoughts about off-switches are, if you are getting a puppy from a good breeder, and you do the training required and give your puppy proper exercise, the dog will develop an off-switch. I have met lots of amazing BCs of all varieties, through dog sports, and all but a few would turn into couch potatoes when they weren't "working". I believe all of the dogs who I knew to be always on were the product of irresponsible "dog sport" breeders.