Our beloved 9 year old Sheltie passed away several months ago and we decided to not get another dog because the loss was so painful and it would give us some time to do some traveling. Well, I come home from work last week and open the door and these two big paws hit me in the chest and nearly knock me down. My wife had brought home a 8 month old black and white dog from the pound that was mostly Border Collie. I was pretty hot that she didn't discuss this with me, but she said he was just a foster dog and we can give him back whenever we want. You guessed it... we are getting attached to him and plan now to adopt the mongrel. I've never owned a Border Collie and don't know much about them, it would be nice if he could become some kind of hunting dog. Also he doesn't like strangers and growls at friends and kids who come over and if that keeps up we will have to give him back. Any Border Collie experts out there that can provide some input?
Any Border Collie owners?
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Grayback
US Veteran
From what I know Border Collies are one of the smartest
of breeds beside the Standard Poodle. With some time
and training he can become an exceptional dog....
Give him a chance, you won't regret it.
of breeds beside the Standard Poodle. With some time
and training he can become an exceptional dog....
Give him a chance, you won't regret it.
Frank237
Absent Comrade
Not an expert but I do sleep with a BC....
About three years ago to the day..... a starved, abandoned female BC adopted us. She and her litter mate sister were abandoned in Craig, six miles south of us. She was 8-9 months old when she showed up.
We have always had Siberians and Malamutes. She was the first BC I have ever been around.
She is amazingly smart...She occasionally does things that really make a guy think. Few nights ago at midnight one of the cats was missing. Told Opal; "Go get the Kitty". Ten minutes later, there she is with the missing cat!
She knows the difference and will retrieve on command three different types of balls, two different frisbees and a big elk leg bone she has in her yard.
She was SUPER easy to train. But and a very big BUT...Do NOT yell or especially strike one, to discipline a BC. They doo not doo well with any physical abuse. A trainer told me they are considered a soft breed when it comes to training. No yelling no contact.
You mentioned yours was somewhat aggressive...that's somewhat surprising. I'd suggest you giver her a strong "NO" when she does something like that.
They require a LOT of exercise. Luckily she chases tennis balls at full speed. Get one of those chuck it ball throwers. Your arm will thank me.
Go online.....lots of BC info. They ARE a different type of dog.
Opal is one of the best companions I have ever had. She is smart and adaptable. Very gently with kids and other small animals. But they DO need a job.
About three years ago to the day..... a starved, abandoned female BC adopted us. She and her litter mate sister were abandoned in Craig, six miles south of us. She was 8-9 months old when she showed up.
We have always had Siberians and Malamutes. She was the first BC I have ever been around.
She is amazingly smart...She occasionally does things that really make a guy think. Few nights ago at midnight one of the cats was missing. Told Opal; "Go get the Kitty". Ten minutes later, there she is with the missing cat!
She knows the difference and will retrieve on command three different types of balls, two different frisbees and a big elk leg bone she has in her yard.
She was SUPER easy to train. But and a very big BUT...Do NOT yell or especially strike one, to discipline a BC. They doo not doo well with any physical abuse. A trainer told me they are considered a soft breed when it comes to training. No yelling no contact.
You mentioned yours was somewhat aggressive...that's somewhat surprising. I'd suggest you giver her a strong "NO" when she does something like that.
They require a LOT of exercise. Luckily she chases tennis balls at full speed. Get one of those chuck it ball throwers. Your arm will thank me.
Go online.....lots of BC info. They ARE a different type of dog.
Opal is one of the best companions I have ever had. She is smart and adaptable. Very gently with kids and other small animals. But they DO need a job.
I took care of a pure bred Border Collie a few years ago. They are full of energy and want to be on the go at about 100 mph. They will try to herd anything cats other dogs small children etc. These dogs like any of the herding class needs to have a job or they get bored and tear things up, clothes,shoes,furniture. They need a lot of exercise and good training to make them a good house dog. If he is afraid of others it may mean he was mistreated or is becoming territorial.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Fishinfool
Member
Never owned one, but lived next door to a woman who had two. She would take them for a walk in the fields / trails near the house, and the thing that impressed me most about them was their energy. Id bet they covered about 10 miles for every 1 mile she walked.
Larry
Larry
Frank237
Absent Comrade
Ours has NEVER torn anything up in the house.
I do occasionally giver her a cardboard box as a toy. She will tear it into small pieces in a few minutes. And she enjoys doing it. Yet...she does not seek them out for destruction while in the house or garage.
I do occasionally giver her a cardboard box as a toy. She will tear it into small pieces in a few minutes. And she enjoys doing it. Yet...she does not seek them out for destruction while in the house or garage.
Rpg
Member
I've never owned one: I prefer dogs that hunt birds.
That said, they are an attractive breed.
Very smart, easy to train if you have some skill, very devoted and can be posessive.
They are VERY active. If you aren't, you can have problems. They are easily bored and all that energy has to go somewhere, like destroying your house.
Years ago, my boss had one we used for hearding horses.
I could go to a gate, tell the dog (actually a bitch named Lady) to 'get 'em' and then stand at the gate while she flushed our 40+ horses out of the willows, off the mountain, and across the river to the gate.
Never took as much as 30 minutes , even when she had to fetch our 4 mules from the green of the 9th (I think) hole on the adjacent golf courses. In fairness, I should mention that she had a running mate: Tyke a male Austailian sheep dog.
Those mules loved the flag at that hole. Ate more than a few each summer.
That said, they are an attractive breed.
Very smart, easy to train if you have some skill, very devoted and can be posessive.
They are VERY active. If you aren't, you can have problems. They are easily bored and all that energy has to go somewhere, like destroying your house.
Years ago, my boss had one we used for hearding horses.
I could go to a gate, tell the dog (actually a bitch named Lady) to 'get 'em' and then stand at the gate while she flushed our 40+ horses out of the willows, off the mountain, and across the river to the gate.
Never took as much as 30 minutes , even when she had to fetch our 4 mules from the green of the 9th (I think) hole on the adjacent golf courses. In fairness, I should mention that she had a running mate: Tyke a male Austailian sheep dog.
Those mules loved the flag at that hole. Ate more than a few each summer.
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Faulkner
Member
Our short haired border collie is six years old and is my youngest son's constant companion. Have no doubt, they are like the Energizer Bunny but as long as you can channel their focus to something constructive they are a lot of fun. This is our second border collie and both have been very, very smart and easy to train because they are so willing to please.
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Rpg
Member
I've never owned one: I prefer dogs that hunt birds.
That said, they are an attractive breed.
Very smart, easy to train if you have some skill, very devoted and can be posessive.
They are VERY active. If you aren't, you can have problems. They are easily bored and all that energy has to go somewhere, like destroying your house.
Years ago, my boss had one we used for hearding horses.
I could go to a gate, tell the dog (actually a bitch named Lady) to 'get 'em' and then stand at the gate while she flushed our 40+ horses out of the willows, off the mountain, and across the river to the gate.
Never took as much as 30 minutes , even when she had to fetch our 4 mules from the green of the 9th (I think) hole on the adjacent golf courses.
Those mules loved the flag at that hole. Ate more than a few each summer.
That said, they are an attractive breed.
Very smart, easy to train if you have some skill, very devoted and can be posessive.
They are VERY active. If you aren't, you can have problems. They are easily bored and all that energy has to go somewhere, like destroying your house.
Years ago, my boss had one we used for hearding horses.
I could go to a gate, tell the dog (actually a bitch named Lady) to 'get 'em' and then stand at the gate while she flushed our 40+ horses out of the willows, off the mountain, and across the river to the gate.
Never took as much as 30 minutes , even when she had to fetch our 4 mules from the green of the 9th (I think) hole on the adjacent golf courses.
Those mules loved the flag at that hole. Ate more than a few each summer.
Google utube and border collie .They show some amazing training .I am not active enough to have one ,or smart enough .I just have a full size COLLIE that is smarter than me but more laid back
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SAFireman
Member
I had a few different breeds growing up. While dating my wife (in college) we had the opportunity to meet a male BC that was owned by our saddle maker. Bill was a very attractive and intelligent example. We decided that when we got married that we would like one of his puppies. Well, a few months later the deed was done and our little BC girl was whelped.
We could not have asked for a better dog. They are very athletic and without a doubt one of the smarter breeds. I would certainly have another one day (or two, or three).
A rescue dog is a special one and the bond is very strong once formed.
Good luck with your new kiddo.
We could not have asked for a better dog. They are very athletic and without a doubt one of the smarter breeds. I would certainly have another one day (or two, or three).
A rescue dog is a special one and the bond is very strong once formed.
Good luck with your new kiddo.
HarryD
US Veteran
We have owned 2 from pup to grave one at a time. They are highly intelligent and extremely energetic and need lots of exercise. Our first one lived to please you, the second one lived to see what he could get away with. They love to play ball and frisbee but not sure you will train one to retrieve game.
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I got my first Border Collie when I was eleven years old. Fifty-six years later and I'm still stuck on Border Collies.
My current Border Collie, Patsy (I got her on the 40th anniversary of the demise of Patsy Cline), is pushing fourteen so will probably be crossing the rainbow bridge before long. No doubt, I'll probably get another Border Collie when she goes.
It's true. They're full of energy. Ours have always gone on pack trips up in the mountains with us. We might cover twelve-to-fifteen miles on horseback to the dog's thirty miles, running back and forth.
The only negative thing about owning a Border Collie is that it's pretty hard owning a dog that's smarter than its owner.
They'll literally amaze you with their intelligence. They practically train themselves. If they figure out what you want, they'll bend over backwards trying to please you.
Enjoy your new companion.
Patsy in the mule corral.
My current Border Collie, Patsy (I got her on the 40th anniversary of the demise of Patsy Cline), is pushing fourteen so will probably be crossing the rainbow bridge before long. No doubt, I'll probably get another Border Collie when she goes.
It's true. They're full of energy. Ours have always gone on pack trips up in the mountains with us. We might cover twelve-to-fifteen miles on horseback to the dog's thirty miles, running back and forth.
The only negative thing about owning a Border Collie is that it's pretty hard owning a dog that's smarter than its owner.
They'll literally amaze you with their intelligence. They practically train themselves. If they figure out what you want, they'll bend over backwards trying to please you.Enjoy your new companion.
Patsy in the mule corral.
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I tried to get a picture of my neighbor's today but no luck. She never slows down other than when my son takes her a tasty treat. She seems happiest in the back of a pick-up on the way to the back pasture to herd cows out of tangles and bogs where a swamp rabbit would not go.
Lil' LadySmith
Member
I had one for 2 years and got her as a pup from the pound. Unfortunately I lost her in a divorce and that broke my heart. She was AMAZING to watch and have. (though the puppy stage was insane and many sleepless nights!)
As others mentioned, they're extremely smart and energetic and really want/need a job to do. They'll do just about anything you want them to do (I've not seen anyone hunt with them but I have seen them as sled dogs!)
One thing I learned was if she was out of sight and things were quiet then go see what's up. If you don't give them something to do they will find something on their own and you might not like their choice.
They are also unlike any other dog (at least in my experience) due to this intelligence and energy but once you learn to live with them (and you enjoy it) then you'll be hooked! They can be a lot to handle though, especially when puppies.
As others mentioned, they're extremely smart and energetic and really want/need a job to do. They'll do just about anything you want them to do (I've not seen anyone hunt with them but I have seen them as sled dogs!)
One thing I learned was if she was out of sight and things were quiet then go see what's up. If you don't give them something to do they will find something on their own and you might not like their choice.
They are also unlike any other dog (at least in my experience) due to this intelligence and energy but once you learn to live with them (and you enjoy it) then you'll be hooked! They can be a lot to handle though, especially when puppies.
My condolences on your loss. My Sheltie died years ago, and I miss him every single day. (I can't have a dog now, for reasons I won't bore you with.)
Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) are like that too, very sensitive, very smart, and very eager to please.
LouisianaJoe
Member
We have had 2, both rescues from the shelter. The first was when my kids were teens. We named her Lady. My son trained Lady to do many things. He trained her to speak and she would bark loudly. He then trained her to speak softly and you could barely hear her soft bark. Lady had a problem for years. She dug a hole in my wife's flower bed under a hedge and no matter how we filled it, dirt, bricks, large limbs, she managed to clear the hole. She liked to lay in the hole in the shade on a hot day. When she died, I buried her in her hole.
When my daughter was grown and had our granddaughter, my wife and daughter drove 2 hours to rescue a BC that was to be euthanized the next day. They named her Katy. While my daughter filled out the paperwork, the dog put its head on my wife's leg and looked up to her with a look that would put tears in your eyes. When my daughter moved out and built a house, Katy stayed behind and became a part of our family. During a transition from our old home to a new one, Katy died. I buried in the yard of our new home.
All I can say is that they will steal your heart.
When my daughter was grown and had our granddaughter, my wife and daughter drove 2 hours to rescue a BC that was to be euthanized the next day. They named her Katy. While my daughter filled out the paperwork, the dog put its head on my wife's leg and looked up to her with a look that would put tears in your eyes. When my daughter moved out and built a house, Katy stayed behind and became a part of our family. During a transition from our old home to a new one, Katy died. I buried in the yard of our new home.
All I can say is that they will steal your heart.
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If you got along well with a Sheltie you will like a Border Collie. They are very similar in temperament and energy levels. Great dogs, both.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
High energy, VERY high intelligence. They're not for everyone but if you want a dog that's going to be a big part of your life a BC is definitely one of 'em.
