Border Collies - Tell me everything

[mrose_s]

In my life we've had 2x BCX's, one old girl was true working dog. But she was very old and had lost one of her legs byt the time I was born, the other is Harry and he is just an ACD with a BC tail.

I have been thinking about my next dog, I would like to show one day but I am by far much more interested in agility. I won't be getting another dog untill I've move dout, got a car, have a stable job and am confident I can pay for what I need to and worked through all Busters issues.

BC's were never one of my top favourites, I dunno why they just wern't. But recently I've heard a lot more abou their "softer" personalities, which I think will mix well with Buster. Plus I've suddenly just fallen in love with their look and their drive.

I'd probably like to rescue a pup under 6 months but with that comes unknown parentage, if I get a mix for all I know it may be crossed with something slow and not be what I'm lookign for, so I am considering a breeder.

What I relaly want to know is.. everything! I am prepared for th excercise as Buster needs plenty of training and excercise as is, with Harry i've seen the BC mental energy come out and know what happens when he gets bored so a lot of toys and a good kong is in order. So tell me horror story's, "oh my god" moments and any BC traits.

How are they as a general rule with other dogs?
I'd like to compete in agility, herding, obediance and maybe flyball.

Just getting info now, I know every few weeks my "next breed i'm getting" changes but they're all breeds I'd like one day, but I only want to have 2 dogs at a time and the possibility of getting another one in the next couple of years is becoming very real now.

 

[Boemy]

I've never had a purebred border collie, but I did have a mix. Boy, could she move! We would play keepaway with an old tennis ball (and it's a good thing she knew the drop command or I would never have gotten the ball ever) and she would run laps around the yard so fast that her body would be tilted from centrifugal force when she turned corners. Zooooom! On walks, no matter how tired she was she never wanted to go home and would pretend not to see the house and try to lead me past it.

She never really exhibited any herding behavior, but she would do the border collie "stare" when stalking toys. She never had any of the obsessive behaviors you sometimes hear about (staring at dripping faucets for hours and such) and was a breeze to train. Completely reliable after she "got" a concept . . . We could leave food on the coffee table and go to another room and she wouldn't touch it because she knew she wasn't supposed to eat food off the coffee table. She was also very mild mannered towards everyone (including strangers, she was no guard dog) and got along with dogs and cats. (In fact, the cat tended to bully her.)

She was part labrador, so probably not as much of a handful as a full border collie.

 

[Paige]

I have two Border Collie boys and let me tell you get all sorts in the breed. Both from the same litter and besides looking similar they are not a thing a like. We'll start with Spanky, the typical border collie everyone warns you about. Keep in mind these are the only Border Collies I have ever gotten to know and it's my first time owning a border collie.

Spanky - the couch eater. He ripped apart a couch and ate my walls the first week I had him. Granted I was not prepared for him so this was my fault not his. He does not do well with cats because he has such an intense prey drive. He has two modes. Sleep and WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOLETSGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGO!!!!!! He has been the easiest dog to train. Quick as a whip in both his mind and physical ability but lacks a lot of common sense when it comes to typical things (like he runs into the sliding glass door still). He is still a chewer. He is obsessive. If you tell him to drop what he has in his mouth he'll do so but he'll continue to pick up everything else on the floor and bring it to you to see if you'd like to play with that instead. I’m thinking of teaching him to pick up anything I leave on the floor and put it away. He is care free, happy-go-lucky; nothing rains on his parade kind of dog. He doesn't do well around kids because of his herding instinct and excitability. Spanky loves everyone. Always getting into some sort of trouble. An energy level through the roof. Spanky was the pick of the litter (I understand why, if you wanted a working dog you'd want a dog like Spanky. His listening skills are amazing and he's just over all very sharp when he's in work mode).

Bandit - the old soul. Though a young dog he looks at life in a very serious sense. He is mellower. He has a herding instinct but it doesn't come out unless Spanky gets him going. He's clumsy. Not graceful at all. He doesn't follow around under your feet like his brother but he is a one person dog. He doesn't mind strangers but is not super loving to them like his brother. He is protective of his family. He is good with everything (kids, cats, livestock, you name it). Has common sense but isn't as easy to teach things to. He has a mind of his but is willing to listen. He's the type of dog that when you hear people talk about what kind of dog they would want you automatically think "Bandit would be perfect". Big momma's boy. He does everything when you want to do it. Over all he seems like a watered down version of a BC. He’s the perfect dog for a first time border collie owner.

Hope that helps a little bit. I don’t want to turn anyone off the breed because they are wonderful but there are a lot of negative things about them if you aren’t suitable for the breed. I love my boys and am glad I landed up with them and stuck with it. Spanky is maturing a lot mentally and is be coming a good companion. There have been days when I have nearly ripped out my eyeballs because of him.

 

[Lizmo]

I don’t want to turn anyone off the breed because they are wonderful but there are a lot of negative things about them if you aren’t suitable for the breed.

That's the best way to put it.

I've never owned a full blood Border Collie, but have a mix that def. is atleast 75% BC. And I'll have my puppy next summer.

So here's what I know....Hopefully it'll make sense but if it doesn't, just ask lol

They are high drive dogs. Not made well for being "just a pet". They learn things at an incredibly fast rate, so you have to be fast and always AHEAD of them. Thinking about the next thing. They need PLENTY of metal and physical exercise each day. I've read in some books that most need a 2 hour walk/run off leash.

When doing agility, be ready to go FAST (I mean running) the first time training. These dogs are GOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOG! Becareful though they don't over-work themselves because some won't stop.

Also, I don't know how much Ob you want to do, but from what I've recently learned/read, if you want a dog that is very good at herding you don't want them to rely on you - i.e. you don't want to teach a bunch of commands - they need to rely on their instincts. If they rely on you and your commands while in the middle of herding stock, it could be too late and they make a mistake which makes them mad because they aren't getting it right. Which will makes it tens times harder.

Next, bewarned of the Border Collie stare. Most dogs will look at each other for the normal amount of time, while the BC can see that as a threat.

I think most are fine with other dogs but prefer their breed.




This is all just what I've learned from the very good Border Collie members here and on another BC forum. Also from books I've read.

 

[Paige]

My Bandit actually gets along way better with dogs that aren't of his breed. But like I said he's not an intense border collie.

(and by the way Spanky can think for himself but only in work mode. It's quite funny actually. When he's just being a pet it's like his brain fell out of his butt. Spanky helps me put the horses in every night. He loves thinking he's helping when really he isn't. All my horses know where they are suppose to be going.)

 

[Lizmo]

^^ ROFL!

I love your Border Collies

 

[PWCorgi]

Spanky helps me put the horses in every night. He loves thinking he's helping when really he isn't. All my horses know where they are suppose to be going

ROFL!

 

[Paige]

I love them too. Spanky has so much charecter in such a small body. When told to do a down stay he rolls over so he's belly up and squirms until you use his release word. I cannot for the life of me get him to do a down stay like a normal dog. He does down like every other dog but the second you say stay he rolls over so his belly is up and does an intense border collie upside down stare at you until you use his release word. I should get a picture or a video of it. He's a comedian.

 

[Whisper]

Border Collies are my favorite breed.
I have a Border collie mix but won't have a purebred until sometime next year, I think (it will be from a rescue, not a breeder).
Border Collies are amazing dogs, but they're not for everyone.
That's excellent you want to do sports and other activities. Border collies do best with some sort of outlet- walking doesn't do incredibly much for them but can be great if it's combined with obedience, some agility, etc.
If you don't want a dog who might wake you up at 3 AM and drop a slobbery tennis ball on your face, don't get a BC.
They are quirky, fun, intelligent, talented dogs and can be amazingly good at many things and obedience as long as they have something to channel all their energy into.
Due to their breeding of having a constant job in any conditions, a lot of border collies who don't have that stimulation will take matters into their own paws and can be destructive or have some neurotic behaviors.
I make them sound insane, but they're not with the right raising and handling. Some are softer than others, some are less energetic than others.

It's true, think about the stare that they have. Some people find it a little unnerving, LOL.
Working bred BCs tend to have on "off" switch, and while wired and energetic are usually not complete disasters.

Not saying any of this to turn you off, just shedding some light on their possible extremes. They are incredible dogs.

 

[Paige]

On the note of shedding.... they obviously have hair and do require grooming. My boys get really bad once a year. It's like an entire wool factory explodes out of their pants. I could make dozens of sweaters from the pair of them. So even though that's something you have more than likely already thought about I'm just chucking it out there.

 

[Whisper]

I vote for some BC pics to be shared in this thread.

 

[jess2416]

I vote for some BC pics to be shared in this thread.

I 2nd that....

 

[Lizmo]

I'll 3rd it, sooo it must be done

 

[Paige]

These aren't the greatest because Spanky had just been told off for pestering the horses and was sulking. He can guilt trip like no other. Look at how pathetic he looks. If you saw that cute little face looking at you would you beable to resist?

"BUT MOM!"

"Fine. I'm giving you the cold shoulder till you say sorry."

"Get outta my face woman. You're dead to me."

"Leave me to my depression."

 

[Paige]

"I R DEAD."

And to show Spanky isn't the only one who gets in trouble.

The boys and their friend Blue.

Bandit.

 

[Paige]

and now for happy pictures. Happy Bandit.

HAPPY SPANKY!

Happy brothers.

Wonky eyed Spankers.

 

[Lizmo]

YAY! Soooooooo cute.

Honestly, I love everything about the breed, the stare, the intense drive, the ability to herd, all of it!

 

[Paige]

Spanky stalking buttons. (LOL MY HOUSE IS SUCH A MESS! We always have the band coming in and out, people dropping of their pets and kids. It's a zoo most days).

The boys at five months old. The day I picked up Bandit.

Giving his new momma a kiss, greatful he was leaving his old home (notice how he doesn't have that white spoltch on his nose anymore. Anyone know why that'd go away?)

Spanky as a wee pup.

Is that enough pictures guys? Excuse the largeness of some of the photos.

 

[Paige]

YAY! Soooooooo cute.

Honestly, I love everything about the breed, the stare, the intense drive, the ability to herd, all of it!

Oh I agree. I love the breed now that I have them but I never would of thought to of gotten one. I had to adjust to the breed because I wasn't expecting to have another dog, let alone two BC pups, for a long while.

 

[Boemy]

If you don't want a dog who might wake you up at 3 AM and drop a slobbery tennis ball on your face, don't get a BC. . . .

It's true, think about the stare that they have. Some people find it a little unnerving, LOL.

Man, these two comments made me remember something else about Ebony . . . If she needed to potty during the night she would wake me up by staring at me. Just standing with her nose about two inches from my face and staring and staring until I woke up.

Also, she almost never barked. She might bark once or twice after chasing a squirrel up a tree, but that was it! Didn't bark at other dogs, didn't bark at strangers.

It's so true about not letting them overdo it. I used to go on these all day hikes with Ebony and she'd obviously be tired at the end of the day, but if you left it up to her, she would still have tried to go to the park instead of going home!