The Border Collie

[circle c]

I just thought I'd start a thread on BC's. If anyone has any specific questions about the breed I'll gladly answer any questions. They have been my breed of choice for over 5 years.

I can also answer any herding questions youmight have.

[BattleMage]

Circle C, I've got a question for you regarding B.C.s. I'm currently fostering one and was thinking about trying to get her into agility but she seems to have no interest. I think she's a mix with Australian Shepherd also. She's very lovable but has almost no desire to do anything except curl up and cuddle. She's about 2 years old and very healthy, just lazy. Any ideas on what may perk her up?

She has been abused in the past, has been through at least 4 homes that we know of. I want to show her that life can be fun. TIA

[Bubby]

Hi! I cannot believe I found someone who knows border collies! We have a 12-year old lab mix, a 2-1/2 beagle mix and a 5 yr old BC mix. He (Roger a/k/a Bubby) was found on a very busy highway in the middle of a thunderstorm by my husband - there were two, and the other was dead and Roger was sitting there, so my husband scooped him up and brought him home. The vet told us he was a border collie mix - he MAY be mixed with brittany, I'm not sure. He was about six or seven months at the time.

He has the BC characteristis - the face, markings (although he is mostly white with the black on his head and big black spots on either side - the brittany maybe?) - he loves to herd - only he herds shoes, towels, blankets, socks - you name it. He doesn't destroy anything and really hasn't ever - he just likes to "have" it all in a big pile, which he then guards from the others.

Oscar, the beagle, is Bub's best friends. Oscar will stand up to Bub and they do get into some really bad fights from time to time (no blood other than a little here and there). Oscar follows him around, wants to snuggle with him. Bubby is VERY affectionate - LOVES to sit in laps, be petted, be rubbed, snuggled, kissed - if he's not the CENTER of attention, he whines.

The problem is that he is absolutely definitely the alpha dog. We see him strategically place toys around the house - in doorways, on the couch, int he bed - and when Oscar tries to go from room to room, he gets attacked. This isn't all the time - there are just times when Bubby gets his "attitude" - Oscar knows it and steers clear of him. It's like he's booby trapping the house.

We live on four acres and have close to an acre fenced where they all play and run -Oscar and Roger will just run and chase each other for hours unless we bring them in. They all three sleep in the bed with us - each has his/her own spot - Roger doesn't want to be touched by Oscar when he sleeps - he'll jump out of the bed, drag the bedspread off and sleep on the floor.

We really want to get another puppy - one that will play with Oscar, and Roger - one that won't cower down at Roger, but who will also respect him. Oscar just seems to have fit right into that role - only occasionally does he cower down, most of the time he knows when Roger's in a "mood" and just won't even look at him. We just don't know which kind to get.

I would LOVE to have another BC mix - I don't know if it's the breed that tends to be Top Dog and aggressive (he's not aggressive towards us and isn't a "mean" dog - it's just at times . . . . ) - or if it's just him. Or would a female BC get along better? Then again, we may have to get another little beagle - we got him at a dog park when they were having an adoption day. Didn't intend to but he was totally cute! He was pretty sick at the time - had to spend five days in a nebulizer, and had a nasty stomach bacterial infection from eating poop. Gross, huh?

I guess from everything I read about BC, Roger fits the bill with his herding and behavior - I've read that they are best in one-dog families - he's pretty jealous. Not to biting most of the time, but just wants to sit in our lap - and he muscles in when the others are getting attention. Do youi know anything about mixed breed BC? Or what kind of a dog would get along with him? I don't want to get a dog that Bub would hurt badly, but I also don't want to get a dog that would "fight" for the right to be alpha, and break Bubby - that would just kill his spirit I think. I don't see him being a "submissive" dog without just being sad. And we love his spark! And his squirrel chasing and everything else.

So . . . any help would be great! I will try to get pictures with my cell phone and email them to you - of all three of them. I'm not too technical-able but I can try!

Thanks,

Laura