Crazy Border Collie Owners

colliewog · #41 11-07-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Jessie~

Chihuahuas shiver because they're so mighty

Actually, even well bred and well socialized chis can shake/shiver. My girls do when they're cold... they even sleep underneath the covers in bed, whereas Tucker can't stand to be covered up.

I think it just has to do with them being so small, they loose body heat quickly.

And yeah, I don't recommend most breeds to people when they ask what the "right" breed is for them.

I know people who think all Chis shiver all the time, are snappy and afraid of their own shadow. They obviously never met the ones like I saw at the weight pull ... now THAT is a sight!! lol And this was proper size too ...

ponbc · #42 11-07-2009, 08:42 AM

There have been times when I've read a border collie book, then looked at the guys asleep at my feet, and wondered if they were really the same breed. I "married into" lhasas and showed them for years. When I decided to get my first border collie, my lhasa friends treated me as if I had decided to bring a rhino into the house. They couldn't believe that I wanted one! About 6 mos. after I had my first bc girl at home I went to a show and was hanging out with my lhasa buddies. They asked how it was going and I had to reply that it was AMAZING. For the first time in my life I owned a dog that wanted to make ME happy...instead of viewing me as a personal servant! I also had one that came when I called her! Don't get me wrong, I had a CD on one of my lhasas, but she'd only do a recall IF she had on the collar she always wore in the ring and IF I did the formal recall stand and IF I said "Winifred, come!" She would never generalize the behavior to outside the ring...silly little thing.

I now have 3 border collies and find them to be great beasties to live with. They live in the house, love my kids, and are laid back unless we go outside to play/work.

JoeLacy · #43 11-07-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponbc

There have been times when I've read a border collie book, then looked at the guys asleep at my feet, and wondered if they were really the same breed.

You are just so right! I kept away from them for the longest time just because of what those "books" said. The books were not necessarily correct.

This is really a very well engineered dog. People who don't own them may not understand what I'm talking about, but these are really incredible dogs at so many levels. They may have even more individuality and personalities than many other breeds. Factor all the variances in, no "blanket" statement can be said for all BCs.

Ok, I'll make one blanket statement. Pick the right BC and it may be the best dog you have ever owned, pick the wrong BC and he "will" be your worst.

AgilityPup · #44 11-07-2009, 05:00 PM

I got a lot of "WHY do you want one of THOSE!?" before I brought one home... And for a while a lot of "oh, good luck with that" - even from agility people.

*shurgs* I don't know what, owning Psyche is like a dream.

Lizmo · #45 11-07-2009, 06:04 PM

Okay now I'm curious. What Border collie books ARE you guys reading? Lol

ihartgonzo · #46 11-08-2009, 02:11 AM

I've read or have practically every Border Collie/all breed book I've spotted at Borders and Petsmart and the library... and all of them are pretty similar in saying that BCs need to be constantly working and constantly stimulated. ALL of them claim that these dogs should never live in an apartment or small home and that really steams my broccoli! I hate that, and I think it's unhealthy to try to constantly work a dog and keep them busy non-stop. That's going to produce a neurotic dog. I think that what isn't emphasized in most of the books I've read and what people don't get is that they want to be with their person and making them happy, above everything else in the whole world! Gonzo is happy as long as he's with me; of course, I feel that he does need to get out and run every day, but not excessively. Hours of hard exercise cannot make up for being present consistently.

A dog that has been bred to truly spend 24/7 with their person, and have such a strong connection and trust to perform the work that they do, just isn't suited for people who have an hour a day to spend with them. Which, realistically, an hour is even a lot to dedicate to a dog for the average person.

JoeLacy · #47 11-08-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihartgonzo

I've read or have practically every Border Collie/all breed book I've spotted at Borders and Petsmart and the library... and all of them are pretty similar in saying that BCs need to be constantly working and constantly stimulated. ALL of them claim that these dogs should never live in an apartment or small home and that really steams my broccoli!

LOL, we read the same books. I live in an apartment, I don't have a yard. I don't overly exercise my dogs. I train about 30 minutes a day. I've lived this way for years, with Blue Heelers, my Aussie and now the BC. We all have/had happy lives.

My dogs sleep or play most of the day. My house is 100% intact. I take them out at regular intervals and we do walk everyday about 30 minutes to an hour and I do take them to the dog park a few times a week. I would do that with any dog though and not because I have an Aussie and BC living in a tiny townhouse in the heart of the city.

Maybe I just got lucky with the right dogs but I'm not convinced that's 100% the case. Frankly, I'm sorry I didn't get a BC sooner because I believed what I read.

If anyone is reading this thread and considering getting a BC, consider what those of us who have them are saying here. You can't be 100% sure what the books tell you is the absolute truth. I found these to make wonderful house and even apartment dogs that don't require all "that" much more than any other breed. Just be a responsible dog owner, and even a BC will be just fine.

Willow0709 · #48 11-08-2009, 08:29 PM

I always get "you must have acreage" or "do you live on a farm"? comments .

puppydog · #49 11-09-2009, 04:00 AM

I must say, Ben was higher energy then any BC I have had. All my BC's would sleep during the day, Ben NEVER slept. He used to get about 3-5 hours a night. I think he knew his candle was burning at both ends.