I'm stunned!

[BCDreamer]

I'm stunned by how much I love, and how comfortable I am with this breed. I don't know if it's cause Psyche's a mix, or what, but I feel very comfortable with Border Collies. I've always loved them, but Psyche's making me think border collies are my heart breed (which I've assumed, just didn't want to say it until I'd experienced owning the breed).

 

In the short two weeks I've had Psyche so far, I've always been very comfortable with her, her activity level, her personality, her quirky habbits, everything. I don't know if it's the lab in her, or what, but I really love this dog, and I, of course, really love the border collie in her. (She very much takes on the border collie side!) Plus, who can't love the fact that they're smart as a whip, and the energy level's endless! (I love to have a dog I can work until I'm tired, not the dog!)

 

Was this how it was for anyone else? Did a mix of the breed (border collie, or other) show you that it was your breed? Or even a purebred. Was your first dog of the breed the one to point out the obvious admiration for the breed?

[border_collie_crazy]

yup, I fell in love with BCs from a BC/Sheltie

[desertranger]

Hooked.

 

And now you know about the special bond.

[bsms99]

There is quite a bit a variation from dog to dog, even within a breed. Each of my 3 dogs is entirely different (different breeds as well), and I like those differences.

 

Dan the pound mutt is very smart & decisive. He also loves peace and quiet. Loud people or even a loud TV will drive him into a bedroom. He is an outstanding guard dog, and looks at you with wise, patient eyes. Avoids somewhat bratty little kids like our granddaughter.

 

Rusty the Aussie is a happy-go-lucky little tank. Very agile, very friendly, and very caring. If someone is sick, he'll stay by their side. He also tries to help. When my wife was pruning a tree, he watched for about 5 minutes, then jumped up and bit one of the lower branches where it met the tree. When our granddaughter started acting a bit mean to him, he knocked her down. Then licked her face. She thinks he is wonderful, but he's the one who taught her to be nice to dogs.

 

Jack the BC doesn't need sheep if he has his people. However, he's reserved and stand-offish around strangers. Likes to hide under couches and tables and watch what is going on. Sees no value in rushing to be someone's friend. He's rarely more than 2 feet from family's feet, but he slinks around at a distance from strangers. After all, every ax murderer in history had to first get within 3 feet of their victim!

 

The vet the other day told me he needed more socialization because Border Collies are notoriously fearful. I said there was a difference between fear and reserve, and that it is something I like about BCs. If I wanted goofy friendliness, I'd have gotten a Lab.

 

I think Border Collies are special. I love their focus, their intensity and their concern for their people. As I type, as usual, Black Jack is on top of my feet. But Rusty's a very faithful dog, just in a somewhat different way. And when Dan is sitting at the far side of the room, paws crossed, watching you...well, he's fine too. But I have a hard time believing I went 5 years without a Border Collie watching over us!

[hsnrs]

We are in love with our Aussies too. We had one back in the 1970's so naturally we wanted one when we moved to the country. My DH wants a Border Collie and will get one in a few years. The herding breeds in general are such want to please doggies! N

[Ooky]

My husband *knew* a BC or BC mix was the dog for me. After reading about them and hearing people's reaction, I was not so sure. But he used to work at a shelter and did that for a lot of people (steer them towards what he thought might be a compatible breed or mix). So I decided to trust him, especially given our size limit (50 lbs). And I am so glad I did! I am a fairly lazy person. For example, hiking 8-10 miles in 90 degree heat in the middle of the desert every day right now is enough for me (I'm doing veg sampling during the spring bloom). Some of our crew gets up early to run or comes home and works out on top of that same work day - I would NEVER do that! So in that way I guess I am not your typical BC person. But I am somewhat of a perfectionist. So is Odin! He is a straight-A student for me. I am also somewhat obsessive about things - guess what? So's my dog. We understand each other. BTW, Odin is purebred but I would have been quite happy with a good mix, I think!

 

Glad you found Psyche, she is adorable!

[pearls pop]

I have had many great dogs, samoyeds , a wolf dog and some real great mutts. Pearl is my first Border Collie, I didnt know a thing about them before I got Pearl. The first week I had her I almost returned her to the shelter I got her from. After that we bonded and I fell head over heels for her and the breed after reading up on them. I wish I had known about BC's years ago, I don't think i can live without a Border Collie in my life.

[BCDreamer]

I like every quirk in the breed, that reservation towards people, I like that. Not scared of them, really, but just more interested in staying with you then going to visit. I find Psyche doesn't really have that, she's more out going, like a lab, but she knows that when I want her at my side, she's to be there.

 

I know from my experiences with her that I'll never be without a border collie, or a border collie mix. I've fallen head over heels for the breed. Sure, I like my German Shepherds, and love Goldens (never owned one), but I don't think I'd ever go looking for them. If they came to me (like our two current GSDs did), then sure... But the breed I'll be going looking for is Border Collie.

 

Glad I don't sound crazy!

[Root Beer]

Yes, that's the way it was for me. We didn't even know there was such a thing as a Border Collie, but after having Sammie for a year, I saw one and I just knew.

 

Of course, raising Speedy sealed the deal.

 

I like that - "heart breed". That's definitely how I think of Border Collies. I have yet to meet one that I don't like, and I've met so many that I could take home forever in an instant!!

[Carson Crazies]

Oh my. No, that was not at ALL the way it happened for me. Do you remember the picture of the border collie mix I put on your other thread? She was a demon spawn. Seriously. Hated her. HATE. Matter of fact, I told several folks that if all border collies were like her I'd never have another.

 

Luckily Becca and her dogs were my saving graces. The first day I met Becca was also the first day that I met June (and the first day I met sheep for the first time). It was THAT day, and that dog (Ben, and subsequently June) that made me fall in love with border collies. I fell in love with June on the spot, and even though she was slated to go to someone else (and did, actually) she wound up back with me and that was the beginning of the end for me.

 

Side note: Bree and I eventually worked some things out and I wound up rather liking her in the end. She wasn't a very good fit in my household and the ex-husband *really* wanted to take her with him, so that worked out well.

[PSmitty]

Was this how it was for anyone else? Did a mix of the breed (border collie, or other) show you that it was your breed? Or even a purebred. Was your first dog of the breed the one to point out the obvious admiration for the breed?

 

Yep! I've always admired the breed, without knowing much about them. When we got our lab mix, Lilly, the instructor of our first obedience class had a Border Collie, and my husband would visit with him during class and he loved that dog. Funny that HE first said that was the kind of dog he wanted (and now it's ME who is hooked, line and sinker...lately he wants a SMALL dog, go figure). Anyway, when we decided to get a second dog, I didn't even know enough about rescue to look for a BC rescue, but stumbled on a Border Collie mix on Petfinder. Jack, with all his issues and quirks, hooked me completely on the breed. Then some nice people (Laura and Becca) introduced me to this board. Dude, the first time I saw pictures and video of real Border Collies on sheep, I was a goner!

 

That led me to be involved in Border Collie rescue and I rescued Alex from a high kill shelter in Atlanta, after seeing him on the BC rescue board. Nothing could cement my love of the breed more than him! Alex brought back my love of agility, which I had lost after training for so long with my lab mix (God love her!), introduced me to flyball, which is now another love. Most importantly, though, Jack introduced me to working stock, which I feel has significantly changed my life in some way I can't really even explain.

 

I don't see myself without Border Collies ever again. And as soon as the time is right, I definitely have plans to add another.

[mattinky]

My first BC was rescued from a private shelter about 25 years ago. The guy that owned the shelter used to let us ride dirt bikes on the property and one day he came over to the truck as we were loading up to go home and told me he had a great dog that really needed a home. What kind of dog is it? I asked - Border Collie, he says, so I asked what's a Border Collie? Well, I took her home and found out what a BC is! I found out that it takes a lot of time and devotion to get them dialed in but it's time well spent. In the long run you will have a devoted dog that wants to be your constant companion and lives only to please you! I'm on my 6th BC now and there is no other breed like them, to me they seem almost like a totally different animal than other breeds.

 

I lost my dear sweet Roxie several months ago and during the time in between her death and getting Kate everybody and their brother was trying to give me puppies of all diferent breeds. When I'd tell them no thanks, I'm going to wait and find another BC they just did'nt understand why I was so dead set on it. I don't have to tell any of you why!

[herdcentral]

I was looking for a Kelpie to add to my ACDS and ended up with a BC. I had never fancied owning a BC but this 5 month old needed a home so I took her.

 

She is a sweet , smart, friendly, sensitive soul and it has taken sometime for a bond to develop, it wasnt instant like with my ACDS who focussed on me from the start and were totally loyal to me. My BC seemed to prefer mixing with other people, especially children to being with me. But time has seen her and me start to connect and for me to start to enjoy the BC experience and she has started to become my dog. She is not my heart dog, that will always belong to a very special ACD but she has opened me to the world of the BC and I like what I see.

 

Now I think I will always have one of each, a BC, a kelpie and an ACD.

[Caerus]

I like that - "heart breed". That's definitely how I think of Border Collies. I have yet to meet one that I don't like, and I've met so many that I could take home forever in an instant!!

 

Seconded! I don't think I could ever go back to having no BCs.

[BCDreamer]

This is my start into the breed, me thinks. Psyche's a good dog, very friendly with the whole family, but with the more training we do, the more attached and focused on me she's getting, which is good.

 

Eventually I'll have my purebred, but I'm just as happy with this little mutt who sticks to the personality of a border collie.

 

I'm stuck on the breed. I always kinda assumed it, but now I know for sure. Border Collies are for me.

[beachdogz]

Was this how it was for anyone else? Did a mix of the breed (border collie, or other) show you that it was your breed? Or even a purebred. Was your first dog of the breed the one to point out the obvious admiration for the breed?

 

I had German Shepherds for years...like 25 years. Looking back, it was my boyfriend (fiance/husband) that loved GSDs...I loved all dogs -- mixes and purebreds, so it didn't matter to me. I was totally engulfed in showing, breeding, and training...even a little herding. Then...I "retired". Ended up with a mixed breed that someone boarding at my kennel was getting rid of -- best dog I've ever owned!!

 

One day I was boarding a BC MIX at the kennel and had her out playing ball. I loved watching her run, and remembered how I had loved watching BCs work, back when I was showing. I constantly refer to her as the dog that inspired me to get a Border Collie.

 

Within two weeks I was calling breeders and people who owned BCs, was on the net, and eventually found my BC as a courtesy listing on a rescue site. It was love at first sight just from the photo...and I knew that this was the dog for me!

 

Now I realize that I am probably a Border Collie person at heart. It took me 30 years to find my breed...but here I am!!!

[setsail]

I spent a summer living with a border collie. That dog was awesome but I left knowing that I would NEVER have a border collie. About 3-4 years later my best friend found Jackson, my border collie/collie mix. After having him for a few years I really wanted a collie, not a border collie. Then we got involved in sports and I got to see a whole new side of Jackson. I fell head-over-heels for the breed and dragged my husband along for the ride lol. We ended up with a border collie/springer mix for our second dog who is fast furious and frisky lol. As much as I love the breed, I really love my new "border collie life". Before them I was pretty lazy but since we've had Jackson I'm more energetic, more active and love working with them. I don't think I could go back to my old boring life without these smart and quirky dogs. Someday I'll work my way up to a purebred and maybe someday I'll get the collie I want, but I'm happy that "never" wasn't true.

[Dan28]

It was my BC/Australian Shepherd mix, Kate, that I had throughout my teens that got me hooked on border collies. We had lots of other purebred dogs at the time, but the best was Kate. She would herd all of our golden retrievers and rottwielers for me.

 

So recently when I decided to get another dog, I wanted a border collie, but since I live in an apartment now I wasn't going to get a BC. Still no matter what I looked at, my heart was still set on a BC, and eventually I couldn't think of getting any other dog but a BC. I just decided I would put in the work to have a well adjusted and happy dog.

 

My first BC, Kate

[BCDreamer]

Dan, that's how it was with me. I wanted to wait a bit, until Bella was further in her training, but everytime I saw a border collie, or a border collie puppy, or pictures, or one on the shelter, or or or or or, I was set back to wanting one... Now I've got her and my desire for the breed is still there, but my desire for another dog - not so much. My three girls are the perfect combonation. Zoey's layed back, but will turn it on when we're playing, or working. Bella used to be really hyper, and really immature. Now she's hyper, but much more mature, thanks to Psyche. And Psyche's gogogogogogogogo! but in a good way. She'll play with me for hours, and when we start working more, I know she'll be willing to go for as long as I want.

 

I also think she's really helped Bella a lot with her DA, so that's good too.

 

 

Now I suppose I should get some more pictures of my girlies!