[3TailsWaggin]

You know how you think a lot about getting your next dog (well, I do anyway)...

I will most likely always have a labrador, I just love them.

However, after a lot (years) of thought and finally finding the look I like, I've decided my next dog will be a rough coated border collie.

Did I hear a collective gasp???

Seriously, I really like the look of these dogs. I would prefer to find a tri-color but if not I like the plain ole black and white ones.

The thing that really swayed me was that Mom really liked them too. This place I went to get hay, they had three of them, and Mom was like, "what kind of dogs are these, they're really nice!"

So that sealed the deal as mom is my dog's grandma and she does take care of them for me when I'm not there.

It will be years til I get one... but that's what I'm going for next time around.

 

[kaytris]

in my agility circle of friends, we call that 'going to the dark side'

Are you planning on a work or show line border?

 

[3TailsWaggin]

I don't know. I'm looking at Lock-eye border collies and Lacy border collies. Those are the ones most popular in my area on the agility circuit.

 

[ObedienceLabs4Me]

Yep, most agility people eventually end up with a BC! LOL!

 

[Luvmydog2much]

I'll never own a dog who's smarter than me, and brags about it to its friends.

My Labs are smarter than me, but they don't let on.

 

[sarah]

I'll never own a dog who's smarter than me, and brags about it to its friends.

My Labs are smarter than me, but they don't let on.

LOL ... I love that Lab's still 'let' you think you're in charge. I think I'll always be a Lab owner!

 

[debjen]

LOL..BC's are just to much for me....I am surprised I ended up with a Poodle but I got to say I'm having a kick with him...he is very smart but also really wants to please and has a nice flare..where as with the Cavs Robbie is pretty smart but doesn't always care if he pleases tho he does have a nice flare when he wants to turn it on and be good..LOL..and Cedar is smart enough but somewhat of a velcro dog and too worried about doing things right to have much flare..although he is getting much better about being a velcro dog...and My Riley boy..well our trainer use to say with Riley what you see is what you get...no deep thought or motives just wants to be with his mom...

 

[Baloo317]

Cool Linda! I likie BCs. Waaayyy woo much intensity for me, that stare kinda creeps me out.

I'm sure I'll end up with a BC cross or something of the like for our next dog though, as I want a rescue that I can do all the same stuff with (agility, dock dogs, etc) and we have BC crosses everywhere. Literally, tons and toins of them. Mostly because they run amok on the mennonite farms fairly close by breeding like crazy.

I guess I'll just have to do a "stare test" prior to adoption, and if I feel like the dog is burning holes in me with their eyes, we'll keep looking.

 

[3TailsWaggin]

Their intensity used to really bother me too, but honestly, I've worked with so many of them in my class now, that I'm used to it. I have grown to love their work ethic!! Yes, for the average dog owner I think a BC is way too much dog. But I think I'm a good enough trainer to have a good go with a BC.

As long as I am physically strong enough to handle a lab, I will always have a lab, I too just love their goofy personalities.

Since I already am a "dark sider" with all my Nikon gear... I guess that moniker won't matter much to me with the BC's!!

 

[brody]

I'm so glad my dogs find me - takes so much thinking off my plate
my hubby says next dog will be a sporting dog - lab or golden - we'll see.

I live with a bc mix who I call "a little drivey"
by a little drivey I really mean completely ocd- I have never seen a dog smash their nose into a touch plate with quite Sally's gusto ... nor leap off a 7 foot high deck to get her ball - nor, nor, nor ...
if she's only part bc I think a full bc would be very hard to live with
working her is just incredible I must admit

 

[Di]

I have a friend that has a BC, I love that dog, but man I don't think he can get enough exercise. He is 4 yrs. old and he never rarely stops until bedtime. No matter how hard my friend has tried that dog is up at 5am on the dot! As you probably know they our very determined when they want something DS is thinking about getting one, it worries me because I also will be the babysitter of this whirling durbish!

 

[agilitymom]

My trainer and I have talked about the border collie route, for when I get my next dog. She said something about differences in temperment depending on what the particular BC was bred for. Herding bred are in her opinion able to turn the energy and intensity off and on. Now my aussie, is from two herding parents. She can be very intense about what she wants. When I am done with something, she is done. When we are in the house, she is the most calm dog of the four. She is lovely to live with and is my constant companion. My female lab, who is my heart dog, can be standoffish and independant. She is wonderful at agility. But, my aussie pines for me if I am not with her. If someone is having a snack all the labs run to see what's up. My aussie lays by my side. I too love the work ethic. My trainer has me run her BC's to help me with improving my speed. It is a rush. You cannot think about what you are doing-no time. Just have to react. I love the red or the merle BCs.

 

[3TailsWaggin]

Honestly, Ruger is very intense and when he decides it's time to eat, or get up, he is relentless and he makes me move.

He is also super smart. Just today I was working on layering (running agility with obstacles between the actually obstacle you are sending the dog to). He picked it up just like "that".

I think Ruger is a BC in a lab suit at times He's just not as fast or agile as a BC.