What is it about border collies?

[irishdraft]

I like BCs having previously owned a dog and bitch who worked sheep and cattle, when they passed on we bought a brother and sister, big mistake. They have been horrendous hard work and we live on a small holding so they are out all day plus have 2 walks aday, my husband decided he didnt want to work them so they are mainly pets, I have tried agility with both of them, individually, the bitch wasnt interested and is terrible with other dogs, despite us socialising and training for months, the dog was quite good but got so excited barking and biting the whole time I had to give up with him. They are better now out and about but I still have to be careful with the bitch if other dogs are around, the dog is fine so really its all about the individual dog but theres no doubt collies are difficult dogs but having said that I think having siblings made it a whole lot worse as we never got that initial bonding with them.

 

[Britestar]

Love mine, and he's my 4th.

Obsessive, annoying and never fully asleep I swear. You think he is out for the count, only have to move an inch and he's there going 'toy,toy,toy,toy'. Wouldn't change him for the world.

Lucky I live on a farm, and he has all the exercise he could ever want. He has also been very well socialised - very important with collies, and he loves everyone and thinks everyone should love him too (in the nicest way).

Last one was completely different, never chased a toy in his life, and could occasionally give someone 'the eye', but was a lovely natured dog too. His mum was a working type and she could give the odd nip if she felt threatened (someone bopped her on the head as a puppy when she ran over to say hello, and she never forgot it).

Wouldn't ever consider another breed TBH. I must be the only person in the world who doesn't like Labs!

 

[Missadelaide]

I have had 2 collies and adore them. My first collie sadly died last year due to a tumour, but she was the sweetest and most loyal dog I have ever met, she would do anything to protect her own but she was wary of strangers. She was a red collie and came from working stock.

My other collie is 2 years old and he is a very traditional black and white longhaired collie. He loves anybody and everybody, is fantastic with children and extremely obedient. Ball obsessed and a fantastic agility dog. He is alot more hyper than the female collie I had, but I put this down to him being male and a bit bigger than she was.

I am in a fortunate position that we have our own land and my collie gets walked, does dog agility and gets to roam around all day. Both my collies are/were very loyal and never go off our land, but they like to mull around after a quick nap following a walk!

I would never have another breed and I believe there are no problem collies, just problem owners.

 

[Luci07]

I would never have another breed and I believe there are no problem collies, just problem owners.

Just nice to see someone else having to defend their breed (I have staffies)

Personally... I like them. Am biased as I have a friend with a stunning collie. Collie is a bit particularly about her doggy friends but invested a long time in worming her way into my staffie boys affections (took her about 3 weeks to coax him to play with her) - she did shadow him (interesting after what you guys were saying) but never ever any sign of dominance or jumping on him. He tried to ignore her but in the end gave in and they truly are the best of friends. Just have to be careful when I go to my friends yard (she has her own) as when the 2 of them get together they go bananas! She also has an elderly collie x lab who in very grouchy but he is an old boy so he and my older staffie bitch wander around together turning up their noses at the idiocy of the youngsters!

 

[ladyearl]

I just lost my lovely BC a couple of weeks ago and she was a fantastic dog. Came to me from a farm at age 18 months. We lived in a city first then moved to the country and latterly lived in a more urban town. She was very loyal, very friendly with people and other dogs (but only if she thought I thought they were ok), she was very smart and enjoyed training (as did I). I found that if I incorporated lots of commands into her walks she came home more tired than just walking. I think the key to her being a nice pleasant dog was firstly her own personality but also I made sure she had routine, stimulation and that I mainly dealt with her myself or someone who I trusted understood how sensitive she could be. Her vet was fantastic with her and she did get on well with him, but he's a collie owner too!

Now for some gratuitous photos!

Here with two friends

Here chilling out with one of the cats. she was always climbing up onto things

Here playing with a toy on a beach

 

[Sags_Deer]

I love them, like you say if you put the correct training in they are fab and also if you dont a quirky one. I have had mine since a pup like yours he follows me everywhere so loyal and in his old age growls at people who get near me with hats on at work when he is in the office with me.
I also have a young lab who i do adore but everyone is her friend whereas my collie is into me a lot more where she couldnt give a ****!!

 

[Dobiegirl]

Ladyearl she looked a lovely dog and was obviously as devoted to you as you were to her.

 

[littlen]

Just wondering, how exactly do I use my collies brain? How do everyone keep theirs entertained if like me you don't live on a farm (do go twice a day to the yard though)

 

[Oenoke]

I love them!!! I have 4, 1 can be a bit sharp, but the other 3 are lovely friendly dogs to all people and other dogs, 2 have been registered P.A.T. dogs. I compete at agility and flyball with them and they have plenty of mental and physical exercise.

 

[Ravenwood]

Just wondering, how exactly do I use my collies brain? How do everyone keep theirs entertained if like me you don't live on a farm (do go twice a day to the yard though)

I don't own the farm I live on, I am just a neighbour as such but its all inclusive if you understand. I do however have a partner who does farm and that is where I have worked my collie - but only twice so far.

To me ( and understand here I am not experienced with collies) but routine is the key to keeping my collie stimulated. I walk all the dogs twice a day, before and after work for between an hour or half an hour but we are lucky in that we do have open moorland to exercise them on so they can run to their hearts content.

All the dogs know their routine and get extremely excited first thing in the morning and when I get home from work - once I have walked and fed them, they settle down for the evening and I don't hear a peep from them.

I have to admit that I haven't done the brain stimulation over exercise thing - ie I haven't taught my collie the name of objects, she is not ball or toy possessed and she knows only the basic simple, everyday commands but she is not stressed or neurotic and generally a well rounded dog Except of course if we meet a strange dog when she is out to kill it fortunately for us this is a rare occurrence

 

[Millyard Rejects]

I think people are intimidated at dogs that are smarter than them

People read the breed description that says Collies are intelligent....but forget they arent intelligent enough to own a Coliie!

I love them!!! I have 4, 1 can be a bit sharp, but the other 3 are lovely friendly dogs to all people and other dogs, 2 have been registered P.A.T. dogs. I compete at agility and flyball with them and they have plenty of mental and physical exercise.

My eldest collie was a working dog for years,he "retrained" as a P.A.T dog.
He grew up around my sisters children and my extended family. Gets on great with cats,other dogs,horses,goats,cows,pigs and even ostriches he only has issues with sheep ie he got beaten up by a sheep which nearly killed him and he wont go near them now for love nor tennis balls!
My younger collie is kind and gentle-not the smartest he is a year old and he never got the hang of retrieving things
Exercise has to be structured-they need mental and physical workout both at same time if possible!!

 

[ladyearl]

Ladyearl she looked a lovely dog and was obviously as devoted to you as you were to her.

Thank you very much I am biase of course but she was and so was I. Sadly missed (

 

[ladyearl]

Just wondering, how exactly do I use my collies brain? How do everyone keep theirs entertained if like me you don't live on a farm (do go twice a day to the yard though)

I think they need a job, or at least to think they have one. Mine enjoyed training on walks. Lots of walk to heel, sit and wait catch up with me, finding things etc. Go to a basic class and you will get some ideas. Even at the yard I would ask her to sit in certain places. She had to wait at the gate while I got horse in from the field. She would sit like a stone and was delighted at the praise she got when we both returned. She had to walk to heel while I was leading the horse. Basically I didn't just leave her to make her own entertainment i tried to make her feel she was "working" while we were just doing ordinary things.

nb: Mine also worked as a PAT dog and that was definitely a job for her. She would spend 90mins in an old folks home and come home emotionally exhausted. She knew it was work 'cos she wore a uniform.

 

[sam-b]

My darling collie ate my kitchen floor last week, my other half is laying a new one as I type!!