Border Collies! Where and why? Discussions

Aww your oldie girl sounds lovely

Mav sounds well bred Although you would struggle to find many modern day ISDS dogs without Dalziel's Wisp in there somewhere ;-) Our Bill has lines back to Johnny Wilson's Spot (as well as Dalziel's Wisp) and he is a fabby dog.

Interesting to see the differences in temperaments, even when the dogs are brought up the same All my collies are friendly, but are velcro dogs too - so never really let me out of their sight

I will always have a GSD as well as the BCs too ... you are right, they do go very well together

I grew up with much the same view on collies - as my grandparents were farmers, and I had only ever seen collies in farm settings and as working dogs. However, as you rightly say, some collies can make good pets - it very much depends on the individual dog and also to a lesser extent, the commitment and understanding of the owner ... although even then, some dogs just need to work and could never settle to even the most varied pet life.

I Grew up with BC, fosters and rescues. Mainly from farms, had some bad experiences with them but never thought much about it, its the dogs I felt sorry for and only humans could be to blame for the aggression ect - I saw the dogs turn into wonderful pets and adapt well to family life after a not so nice start - so intelligent, easy to teach and always ready to please. I have always loved the breed. I didnt plan to look for a BC it kind of came out the blue, If I had planned to look for one - I could have found a decent breeder or even rescued a poor soul. I went to a 'hobby' breeder, who didnt have the right ethics in my eyes. I dont regret getting Mace he is a delight, although a bit of a pain in the bum at times. I saw the litter advertised online and took it to email where porkies where told. I didnt choose the source or even to look just came across him. on arrival if mum hadnt have been with me I would have brought home his litter brother to, a beautiful blue merel with no home to go to ...

Me and Mace plan to get into agility when hes a little bit older, and do some obedience. I am open to do anything with him think we could have fun together doing anything. I would also like to try some herding with him. Hes my best friend - he has a look in his eyes that tells me just how hes feeling - and he defo made me remember why I loved the breed so much as a youngster a breed to be held close for life I reckon.

I have a few things to work with, he is porsessive of his food and toys around other dogs including my other three..and somes times be a little bit stubborn but we will get there and have fun along they way..Overall he is a wonderful family member - I cant comment as yet to what I do with him as hes still young, but have mentioned what I plan to do. At the moments hes just having daily basic traning along side all the other needs of one energetic pup.

Mine have a mix of lines, but in general i prefer purpose bred sports dogs.

Tara (rip) Was a lovely bitch, died of old age, very healthy, i was her 4th home at 18months, she was just from a local farm. had ZERO instinct with sheep & had very little eye.I got her to be my "horse dog" & she changed my life!
A poerfect active "pet" dog, not enough drive for top end competition , but could have turned her paw to most things!nicely made , athletic bitch. I like this shape of dog





Nellie came next, from free ads from a backyard breeder who had a litter from her two BCs each year. The Dog was a farm dog , from when their family had a farm, the mum was interesting as they rehomed her & she was a caristan whose Dad was clan abby blue aberdone. This fact got me looking into lines etc.(show lines with abit of isds at 6th generation)Shes a nice bitch, lots of "want" abit of herding instinct, strong, not much eye. Not very athletic though
Had a accident at two, but other than that no health problems.
I do feel the mix of lines produced a really nice dog, not a good "pet dog"


Nellie had opened my eyes to "lines" & quickly became a geek. Found Roy Gouttes bloodlines books & was hooked.
Flynn was bred for obedience & was a brilliant dog. A mix of Mainley ob lines with one ISDS line. Sadly flynn has rubbish hips. Very gentle dog, not much interest in herding , but plenty of want & drive. Big dog. but athletic.





Mav came next & by now i know what i like. All sports breeding , OB bred mother , WT/OB (waggerland) bred dad, both Champions in their sports.Hes abit small for some, short in back & leg, but for me i think hes perfect. His conformation makes it easier for flashy HW
I think hes a fantastic dog




Then theres Zola! Mav is her dad, but she does go back to one line of ISDS, Blackrobin Highlander, who isa fantastic addition to any sporting ped. Although small like her dad, shes more athletic than him & has more eye. Her main thing is too run. shes a free spirit is Zo!!!!!
She has TONS of drive, more than any one could want

Glad your early experiences with badly treated fosters didn't put you off this wonderful breed. Did your parents do collie rescue or something?

Mace sounds lovely and I am sure you will have lots of fun together, whatever you decide to do.

I agree with your last sentence too (sorry had to snip some of your mail as it was so long ), as border collies were one of the first breeds I got to know on my grandparents farm, and I have loved them ever since.

Sorry, had to snip the majority of your post too Mish ;-)

Loved hearing all about your different dogs and their strengths and what you love about them I particularly loved your Tara (RIP lovely girl) and of course Flynn - he is just fabulous

I think it made me treasure them and their needs more, a breed that is so misunderstood!
Mums always worked with rescues, never ran one herself - most common breeds in where GSD/Collies and their crosses. I am not sure if this is just what mum was given or the most common coming through the doors.
Me and Mace are going to have lots of fun and already are!

jeanette

i love your photo, i too am a border collie owner,or should i say they own me! i have two, mac, who is 17 and still going strong, my other collie is 8 and very intelligent. i have always had bc's and wouldnt want another breed.

not sure if peeps know(or care lol)... but i have one wsd share a bc and lost a bc last year :-(

Just seen this thread, what lovely pictures!

I have 1 and a half BCs If given the choice, I would have had one with long fur, but Jake was a rescue, and I wouldn't swap him now for the world.

Also, much easier maintenance!

Do you have any photos of your dogs? Would love to see them and hear more about your collies.

I don't think I knew you had a collie! Pics please. What do you mean you "share" a BC??? And sorry to hear you lost one last year :-( It is never easy.

I have a Blackrobin Highlander grandson and greatgranddaughter. Wonderful dogs!

As you can see, they get on well!

Piccies please

Aww aren't they beautiful, and lovely to see how well they get on.

Thank you! I'm going to see the breeder on Saturday as she has a litter about to go to their new homes (so I'm quite safe!) so it's play with puppies, lunch and then a dog walk on Salisbury Plain - and the weather forecast is good! What could be better?

That sounds like a fantastic day! Remember to take your camera for puppy pics, and pics of your own lovely crew on the walk afterwards

There will be quite a few dogs as she has seven and there will be another friend there with two (she has my Gem's sister) and my five - better go and get some more batteries for the camera!

Yey fantastic!

The one with his head up looks alot like Millie OB CH longhalves on a high (a BRH son) owned by Jenny Lunn

enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-diC96KD9s