Breed that's a Border Collie without the Reactivity/Sound Issues?

[Shai]

It's quite common in performance bred Aussies now; working the gate at agility trials, it's nearly impossible sometimes to pick out Aussies vs BC, with the BC being bred for more colors and the Aussies having the tails left on. There's a lot of thought that the tail helps with balance and turning more than once thought.

That's very interesting. I agree about the role of the tail and that's one reason Aussies have never really been a breed I've considered seriously (the noise being another reason...). We have a *lot* of Aussies here...they often outnumber the BCs actually...but I've only seen one with a tail.

 

[Dekka]

I think you should get a coolie, if only so there are more merly monsters on chaz

But have you thought of a toller?

They can be highly 'on' dogs but with awesome off switches. They tend to be less reactive than BCs but they also tend not to be love everyone dogs.

Just to add more to your breed contemplation list

 

[frostfell]

do working aussies make good pets for a lazy person with American Bullies?

 

[BostonBanker]

That's very interesting. I agree about the role of the tail and that's one reason Aussies have never really been a breed I've considered seriously (the noise being another reason...). We have a *lot* of Aussies here...they often outnumber the BCs actually...but I've only seen one with a tail.

I'd say there are probably five or six tailed Aussies that I see pretty regularly at trials, and a couple of puppies I've seen at trials who will be coming up eventually. There's probably still more without tails, but it isn't a huge majority anymore. But we definitely have a lot more BC than Aussies in our area.

 

[Linds]

I love the sound of Koolies but I'm not sure they'd fit me, or Jackson. The reason he has liked the BC's he's been around is because they tend to be respectful of his space, no body slamming, just chase-type games, etc. Not real rough (he hates most bully type's for this reason). He doesn't like being pawed at or jumped on. I also get annoyed by real jumpy type dogs, dogs who get on the counters, etc, and I know a lot of this is a training issue, but it kind of seems like a Koolie thing? lol... correct me if I'm wrong. How do you think Nia would react? Those of you with Koolies, how is their play style with other dogs, specifically smaller dogs?

Traveler is flat out in love with any small dog he meets. He lays down the ground and rolls over onto his back in front of them, play bows, crawls around them and does everything in his power to make them pay attention to him. But, he's remarkably gentle with them....when he's not peeing on them. He has a thing for peeing on small dogs.

Strange dogs he's more of a run, dance around, bark at and chase kind of dog. But, sometimes he gets the right dog and they get into hardcore wrestling. One of Nina's dogs (she has Rue the Coolie) has that relationship with Traveler, they wrestle with each other the whole time. Honestly, Traveler adjusts his play style pretty well other than being insistent on some sort of play happening.

Didgie is....Didgie. Overall she's not that interested in strange dogs but attaches very quickly to dogs if I hang around them. So people I go for walks with, their dogs even if they hadn't met before, become her best friends and she harasses them by barking, running at them and then running away. I think some of that though has to do with growing up with Traveler.

Traveler and Didgie? Well, right now Traveler is on his back and Didgie's on top of him while they growl and bite eachother.

Left to their own devises it's knock down, drag out play fighting. They body slam, bite, dive, chase and bark each other. Didgie has a thing about biting Traveler's back legs and pulling on them. But again, they like to play like that so having them together just means it's constantly encouraged by eachother. Here's a video of them last year at the dog park playing.

[YOUTUBE]zpo2-tUGLds[/YOUTUBE]

As far as being on things? Yeah, they do like to do that. But, it is a training issue at the end of the day. But, if left to choose mine do pick the top of the crate, the window sill, the back of the couch, the table to sleep and be on.

 

[Laurelin]

It's quite common in performance bred Aussies now; working the gate at agility trials, it's nearly impossible sometimes to pick out Aussies vs BC, with the BC being bred for more colors and the Aussies having the tails left on. There's a lot of thought that the tail helps with balance and turning more than once thought.

I've never seen a tailed Aussie in real life. *pouts*

 

[JacksonsMom]

Linds and pintage, thanks for the added info!

Linds, that video of Didgie and Trav playing is actually kind of how Jackson plays with dogs approx to his size (when he decides to play with other dogs, he's gotten 'meh' about strange dogs, and has to find the right one to play with now lol, snob). And Traveler sounds like a 'bigger dog' that Jackson would like... I so wish I could meet your pups one day!

 

[JacksonsMom]

And full tailed Aussies... *want*. I have yet to see any MAS with full tails.

 

[Dex]

Guys, help me out. I can't for the life of me decide on a breed no matter how much I try. I keep thinking I want a BC, I want a BC but then I keep seeing how reactive and/or sensitive they are to things like noise, storm, etc. and I really don't want to deal with that.

Other than Koolies which seem like a good fit for me (other than maybe the barking), what dogs are basically Border Collies without the reactivity issues??

When I say Border Collies I mean
- 25-50 lbs
- lighter build/bone
- fast and driven
- biddable
- doesn't have to be herder
- prefer coated, no curlies or continuously growing hair
- playful, like to fetch, good for sports like disc
- extremely healthy, little health issues, long lifespan

but with traits like
- friendly with dogs
- friendly with people, doesn't have to be overly loving of strangers, don't have to be best friends with them but don't mind a pat or contact
- not prone to anxiety (sound, SA, storm, festivals/parades)
- not prone to dog reactivity
- i prefer with a tail

That's about it. I really just want a BC that's not prone to anxiety or reactivity...help me out.

You just described my younger dog to a T (she's an Aussie mix, probably with BC?). For what it's worth, I've met & worked with tons of stable BCs coming through the local BC rescue. Also, lots of Aussies with tails in my area

Saw someone mentioned McNabs on here too. Have you considered one? I dog sat one for a few weeks recently. If you want more details or have specific questions I'd be happy to answer them. There are a few McNabs in the disc dog crowd as well.

Does it have to be a puppy? And purebred? If a young adult mix is okay, bet you could find a great match with a herding breed specific rescue. That's how I got my peanut.

 

[Michiyo-Fir]

But have you thought of a toller?

They can be highly 'on' dogs but with awesome off switches. They tend to be less reactive than BCs but they also tend not to be love everyone dogs.

Thanks a lot. I have actually and like them a lot but for some reasons I have heard quite often now that Tollers can often end up very shy and easily fearful. Which is not right for the breed standard of course, but seems to happen often, or so I've heard. I have met 2 I adored though. Thanks for the suggestion I will look into it more.

 

[Michiyo-Fir]

Traveler and Didgie? Well, right now Traveler is on his back and Didgie's on top of him while they growl and bite eachother.

Left to their own devises it's knock down, drag out play fighting. They body slam, bite, dive, chase and bark each other. Didgie has a thing about biting Traveler's back legs and pulling on them. But again, they like to play like that so having them together just means it's constantly encouraged by eachother. Here's a video of them last year at the dog park playing. .

You're basically telling me I need 2! So they can play rough with each other!

Nia doesn't actually play with dogs other than chase but only sometimes. She wants no slamming of any sort and no bitey face unless you actually want your face snapped at LOL.