So excited!

SoCrafty

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As much as I love Collies, I have been see-sawing between them and other breeds for a very long time. I've talked to a few people and a breeder or two over the years about their experience with their Collies and I keep comparing the breed to other breeds like and ticking off little mental boxes saying "well, I wish they were more like the Collie." It's kind of like having a major crush on a celebrity - you really like him (or her), you think they are gorgeous, you like what they stand for, who they are, but you wonder if you could be the type of person that they would like. If I can be honest, I am also really afraid of having another dog. What if I fail as a dog parent - and I fail with my favorite breed?

Anywho, I wanted to bite the bullet and put myself out there...I've learned all I can through books, email and pictures. So, I had written to the Collie Rescue in the southern part of the state that I was hoping to adopt from when I was ready because I couldn't find any that were close to me. Since they are also a club, I asked them if they were having any events around here or within driving distance or if they knew of anyone I could get in contact with. I didn't hear anything back, so I took my time and found a breeder also in the southern part of the state who does health checks, shows her dogs, who uses good lines for her dogs that is closer to me than the other breeder I admire.

I told her I wasn't looking for a puppy or a dog anytime soon (rather in year, year and a half) but I really want to get to know the breed and I would like to get involved. I really, really want to make sure I am a good fit for the Collie before I pursue anything further. I don't want to make any mistakes and I want to do this right :) I told her I wanted to learn Collie care and grooming etc., because I can't decide if I want a Rough or a Smooth. She's given me the name of the Collie Club in my area, and gave me the dates and times she will be at two shows in my general area over the next month. She told me I could meet her after she was done showing. I am so excited.

It's like everyone that I've ever talked to about their Collies are sweet and welcoming. They seriously have told me about the good and the bads of their dogs, what they think an ideal owner is etc. I honestly feel like all of the bad and crappy things I've gone through in my life are finally gone and things are falling into place. I'm so excited I'm finally going to see a Smooth Collie face to face! I've seen Rough's multitudes of times as a kid - but never a Smooth.

If you've gotten through all that, thank you :hail: I do have a question - should I bring my camera? Can I take pictures at a dog show? What is good etiquette when meeting my future potential breeder? Can I pet her dogs?
 

Romy

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#2
Definitely bring your camera!

Seriously, you're going to fall in love. Collies are an awesome breed, and if I was into herding dogs they'd be the one I'd go for. They're a pretty well rounded/balanced breed that fits into a lot of different situations and with a lot of different handler styles. Your hardest decision will probably be whether to get a smooth or rough, and what color. :p

In general, show ettiquette is pretty simple for observers. Don't bother people with a lot of questions while they're getting ready to go in the ring/grooming their dog (unless they've arranged to teach you grooming at the show beforehand). Don't pet any dogs without asking (duh), especially right before their ring time. Don't crowd the entrance to the ring, and don't crowd up to the fence, call to the dogs, toss them treats or squeak toys at them while they're showing. That's about it, you probably already knew all that.

ETA: and you're right about the collie crowd. There are some mild politics, but for the most part I've found them to be extremely sweet and open to helping people out. A lot more so than some of the other breed crowds. The locals have adopted me and my borzois as "honorary ugly collies" :rofl1:
 

Saeleofu

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#3
Also no flash photos at the show if possible. But totally bring your camera, we demand pics!

I agree about the collie people thing. Logan's breeder is SUPER nice. She even has offered, multiple times, for me to come live with her until I find something more permanent since that is the area of the country I want to be in - and this was only hours after meeting her face to face for the first time.

I never really thought I was a herding dog person. I was raised with GSDs but they aren't the dog for me. They fit okay, but there was always something off. Collies, on the other hand, are a *perfect* fit. I never even considered a collie until I saw Logan's brother available, but it is amazing how perfect of a dog they are for me. Logan is more than I could ever ask for in a dog, I absolutely adore him. He is a lot like a GSD in some ways (and he loves GSDs, probably since he was raised with one...he really wants to know WHY my parents are hiding a GSD from him, because he KNOWS he's there lol). But at the same time, he's so completely different from a GSD - different enough that the fit is no longer "off." Once I got Logan, after having just Gavroche for a couple years, I realized just how much I had missed working with a herding dog.

Plus it doesn't hurt that herding looks like SO much fun. Some day, we'll get to herding. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
 

SoCrafty

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Today is the day! Well, I have to take my anatomy midterm and then I'm headed down there. I missed her showing this morning but she's showing tomorrow too.

Thanks for the photo tips! I definitely didn't want to do anything wrong! I will post some photos when I come back tomorrow :)
 

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