I caught...

[Lyzelle]

See, the barking doesn't bother me so much because Zander yells at me constantly anyway. Might as well add another. Quiet is ruined anyway.

[TuffStuff]

Originally Posted by Brattina88

So... Do they bark more than shelties? is what I wanna know lol

Yes. And it's a worse bark. More shrieky than yippy, if that makes sense.

[AdrianneIsabel]

Bark collars for all!

Seriously, their intelligence and fun and travelers extreme friendliness (that's a breed trait right?) is what draws me to them. Then again I don't do barking.

Do kelpie bark? Aren't they closely related? Is it all of Koolies or just that breeders stock?

[SaraB]

All koolies bark, regardless of breeder. Not all koolies are super friendly and outgoing like the ones from Travelers breeder though. Shyness, timidness and reactivity are not unheard of. This was the main reason I went with a breeder who I know produces the temperament I wanted.

[FG167]

Limit very much enjoys barking but it is a normal type of herding bark I think. He only barks slightly more than the Corgis. He does enjoy yelling at me, the other dogs, his toys, etc. BUT, I have had a shrieker and he is not that. He barks but it is totally manageable if one is familiar with herding breeds.

[FG167]

I also want to add that otherwise, he seems VERY like Didgie. He is very sweet, very outgoing, very smart, loves to work and learn and play....and has been INTENSELY focused on following, staring, stalking, and herding Finny until very recently. He is sort of bratty in a really fun, endearing way lol

[spiffy]

Are Koolies really that difficult to handle?

[Fran101]

Originally Posted by spiffy

Are Koolies really that difficult to handle?

As with most breeds..it depends entirely on the person.

It's not overall difficulty as much as personal preference.

I know people who find Romeo really difficult to handle... but then again, it's hard to get used to a velcro tiny "oh god put the clicker and leash away I don't want to do anything right now except sleep and cuddle" chihuahua when you are used to a high drive dog

It depends on what you can/can't handle and what you are used to. Breeds, for the most part, don't come in easy/hard.. it all depends on traits you want and traits you find annoying (like say..barking and need for a lot of exercise)

I wouldn't call them "easy" dog by any means.. but it's not like they are walking terrors lol

[TuffStuff]

Originally Posted by spiffy

Are Koolies really that difficult to handle?

Depends on what you mean. They're a true working breed, which means they certainly need experienced handlers.

But other than that, I think it more comes down to what you're looking for in a dog and what you want or don't want. Take me, for example... Could I "handle" a Koolie? Yes. Do I want a Koolie? No. Could I cut down on some of the barking? Probably. Could I eliminate it all together? Probably not. And for me personally, that's a big issue.

For other people, there are other traits to take into consideration. A Koolie's desire to be on top of you non-stop. Or their need to climb everything, inside and outside of your house. Their need for huge amounts of exercise, mentally and physically. So on and so forth.

Some of these are traits people want. Some are traits people don't want. You just have to decide what it is you're looking for and then decide if Koolies really fit the bill or if you're basing your decision on the fact that you're in love with certain dogs and not the breed itself. I know I certainly got interested in the breed because of Traveler. But, like I said before, I changed my mind after taking the time to live with them for a while. Not because he was any less amazing. Just because I decided that the breed wasn't well suited to me, and there were plenty of other breeds that were.

ETA: Whoops, Fran pretty much said the same thing. Didn't realize it took me so long to type mine...

[Linds]

Originally Posted by spiffy

Are Koolies really that difficult to handle?

Just what Fran and Jes said, it depends on the person.

For me personally? Kaylee is WAY more high maintence than them even though she doesn't like exercise, wants to sleep all day, and doesn't think her voice is awesome. I mesh much better with the Koolies and find most of their obnoxious, high energy, loudness to be incredibly amusing and endearing. I train all the time and run them all the time. They are a very large part of my life. I love it so it doesn't grate on me. Most times.

But for someone else (sane people) it could be incredibly hard to live with.

Originally Posted by AdrianneIsabel

Bark collars for all!

Seriously, their intelligence and fun and travelers extreme friendliness (that's a breed trait right?) is what draws me to them. Then again I don't do barking.

Do kelpie bark? Aren't they closely related? Is it all of Koolies or just that breeders stock?

Pretty much all Koolies bark and talk and make noise. You'll find an odd one once in awhile but yep, they are talkers.

And they are supposed to be a people loving, friendly breed but there are some lines that are known for being more reserved (shy) and nervy. It's the main reason I went with my breeder because after talking to people with lots of different Koolies from different lines they all said his dogs are all crazy outgoing.

Originally Posted by FG167

I also want to add that otherwise, he seems VERY like Didgie. He is very sweet, very outgoing, very smart, loves to work and learn and play....and has been INTENSELY focused on following, staring, stalking, and herding Finny until very recently. He is sort of bratty in a really fun, endearing way lol

I think they're very similar too! Need to get them together