Mudpups Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Hi everyone I have been lurking here for several weeks and admiring all the gorgeous BC furkids. This is my first post here because I don't yet have a BC, our pup won't be coming home with us until next Friday. I have been waiting 30 years for my first BC so its pretty exciting:) I have been a little hesitant to post as I am not sure that we will be welcome on these boards - our pup is not a rescue (my first choice, but none suitable) or from working lines (my second choice), his pedigree includes dogs multi titled in herding, agility, obedience, tracking, jumping *and* ANKC (Aust) confirmation. All I can say is that I wish some of the working dog breeders on this list lived down here in Australia. There seems to only be two kinds of working breeders down here - ones that are in it for the money who have very little interaction with the pups/don't health check the parents and basically treat animals as commodities and those who will only sell to working homes (I actually agree with this point, but I can't yet provide a working home). Anyway, while I don't wish to have defend my decision, I do want to assure everyone that we can provide a suitable home for a BC. We live on the outskirts of the city in a semi rural area, on just over half an acre, the pup will be a member of our family, clicker trained, taken to formal obedience for socialisation and later obedience/agility/flyball/canine freestyle competition or all three depending on the pups interest, and I will also be looking into herding if pup is interested. My husband and I both work at home, so our animals are not left alone very often. We have 2 cats, 3 kids (6.5, 8.5 and 12 years) and another dog (4.5 year old female Shar-Pei). They all live inside (yup, even the three kids ). We have had working breeds in the past (Jack Russell Terriers and Australian Cattle Dogs), so do have experience with intense breeds that can develop OCD tendencies if not raised correctly. I feel quite comfortable in my ability to train a Border Collie, but I am sure there are a million things that will be specific to the breed, which is why I have been lurking on these boards:) Anyway, please let me know if we will be welcome (and I will understand if we are not!). My pup dosn't have a name yet (we like Mojo and Jedi at this stage but I think it will depend on what name suits him), but here are some baby photos (yes I am a proud mum even though he is not home yet). The first two were taken at four and a half weeks, the last one taken at 6 weeks of age. Cheers Michelle West Oz I am not sure if those images will show up, so if not, here are the image links. http://pencilportraits.com.au/images/baby_0536.JPG http://pencilportraits.com.au/images/baby_0535.JPG http://pencilportraits.com.au/images/BWM3s...10907_small.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Freckles LaLa Mom Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Welcome! We'll be needing more pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojo Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Hello and welcome!! Clearly, I vote for "Mojo." Adorable puppy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WyoBC Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Welcome. 30 years is a long time to wait for one! But at least you thought about it. He's really sweet looking. I bet you can't wait to get him home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OurBoys Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Welcome! Your soon-to-be new addition is adorable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Hi and welcome to another Aussie (person). I understand your qualms about your welcome here, since I too have fluff-butts (aka ANKC Border Collies). However, over the years, I've found people very forgiving , as long as you're not setting out to breed and/or show in conformation. I think maybe there is some understanding that the scene is somewhat different over here. ISTM that the key thing is that you're getting a Border Collie because of what they are, and that you're planning to make good use of those abilities. Hopefully you will have the chance to try your pup on sheep down the track. I had the chance to do that with one of mine, and although for a variety of reasons (mostly to do with money and the price of petrol ) I'm not doing it any more, it was a wonderful time. And did show me very clearly (in case I needed showing), that there is a big difference between working bred and conformation bred Border Collies. I'd just say - find a trainer who is a working dog person, and knows what they are doing with sheep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahoops Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Hi from another Aussie .We live in SA and please dont worry about being welcomed you are and will be .You little pup is beautiful ,keep up the photos of him . I too like Mojo for a name its cool .Enjoy whatever you do with him they are great dogs . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpups Posted September 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Thanks everyone for the warm welcome:) Its good to see some other aussies here as well. I certainly will have the chance to work him on sheep (once we get training of course) as my parents live close by and have 10 acres and a small mob of suffolk/merino crosses. 30 years has been a long time (I fell in love with the breed as a kid), but circumstances/lifestyle/available time have not been suitable for a border collie up until this year. Although this pup is my first, I am certain that he will not be the last In a few years when my kids are older I would like to foster and get involved in BC rescue work (this of course requires a lot more knowledge of the breed than I currently have). OK you asked for it, heres a few more pics. LOL - I am an avid dog photographer and animal artist so there will be plenty of photo shoots happening:) These photos arn't the best quality though because my hubby took most of them (I was too busy playing with puppies) and he had to take them with my daughters pocket camera and not my good camera. I have a few more, but I can only post two for some reason. Cheers and thanks again for the welcome! Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronHorse Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Welcome to the boards. Will be looking forward to hearing the many adventures you will soon be having once you get you new pup home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca, Irena Farm Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 It certainly is very different in Australia. Our contentions about working versus conformation/sport breeding are because that's still up in the air here (and even to some extent in the UK), where it's been a settled question for many years over there. We're trying to avoid the exact situation you describe - unable to get the nicely working bred dog that you'd prefer over the conformation bred dogs, just as a companion, because it's the working dog that is marginalized. Do brace yourself for a few pot shots at conformation dogs - February is bad when we have our big national conformation shows. It's hard for us to resist then making comparisons between our working dogs and what the kennel club holds up as ideal, lol. Heaven help us if some year the Border Collie actually takes Group in New York or at the Eukanuba. I hope you can remember that no one here means to devalue any individual dog, just the choices that breeders make - and again, that most comments about supporting working breeders are aimed at this somewhat different situation here. These discussions have nothing to do with whether you and your pup are welcome here - you will probably find that you even have something to contribute, eventually. I certainly value the viewpoint of our "fluffbutt" members who are keenly aware of the limitations that conformation breeding puts on our breed's potential. We will, of course, require many pictures of your pup as he grows. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eileen Stein Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 I, and others, have pretty strong opinions about what's good for the border collie breed here in the US, and you'll see those opinions expressed here from time to time. I personally don't feel knowledgeable enough to know what's good for the border collie in Australia, so I'll leave that to you Aussies. The Australian imports I see here in the US (all from the KC side) seem pretty different from our traditional border collies, bred for work, but I'm sure that a lot of what is talked about here will be of mutual interest. We certainly appreciate the contribution Tassie and our other Aussie members have made to our discussions, and are glad to have you join us. Welcome to the Boards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle K Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Hi! You're little one is adorable! This is a terrific group of people. We all have our own opinions, but I've found that these opinions can be discussed with the majority of the people doing it tactfully. I think you'll really like it here. Welcome and I'm looking forward to new photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2napp Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 He's adorable! Congrats! Does he have a tail? I don't see one, but it might just be the pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowwown Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Hi and welcome! Please don't feel bad that you are getting a BC for a pet, for a friend, for just having a great dog. Cody has contributed to our family in so many ways since he became our pet last July as an 8-week old puppy we bought from a breeder. And we didn't have intention to work him with sheep, but in the past year have enjoyed obedience training (3 sessions), agility training (we're in Beginner II session now) plus overall fun activities like running, hiking, etc. I feel comfortable on these boards for the last year and although I absolutely admire and respect those who use their BCs as working dogs, I unfortunatly don't have the lifestyle to do that. I live in a suburb in a subdivision, with a good sized yard, and work full time as does my DH outside the home. But I think Cody has a wonderful dog life with us. We certainly have a better life with him. On a side note, where in WA do you live? My DH and I are potentially moving to Perth next summer for his business. We of course would want to take Cody but there are so many issues with that, including 30-day quarantine!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bexie Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Everyone else seems to have summed it up pretty well, so I'll just stick to HI! Don't be afraid to speak up. Once in a while you might run into someone saying something that sounds angry, and it might even be angry, but it usually isn't personal. There are a lot of really passionate people here and nuances are lost in online communication. So sometimes people get pretty riled up when really they like or at least respect each other. It's really all about doing the best you possibly can for each individual dog, especially the ones not yet born, and for the breed as a whole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpups Posted September 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 Thanks everyone, you have made me feel very welcome here already! I do understand the need for the working breeds to be 'preserved' and the damage that breeding for confirmation does to a breed (not just BC's, but virtually every breed that originated with a purpose of being anything but a lapdog/companion:( And don't worry, my pup will never be bred, he will be neutered when old enough. Luv2napp, lol he does have a tail, you just can't see it in the previous photos:) You can't see it all that well in this photo either coz its mostly black with a white tip - he dosn't really have a white blob growing out of his rump Nowwown, we are in Perth, and one of the three Australian animal quarantine stations is located here. You probably know this already but you need to apply for an import permit five or six months in advance and you need to book early to make sure you get a space as well. The good thing is that you can visit him while he is in quarantine. Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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