How are BC's different

[Cody & Duchess]

I was speaking with a friend - talking about Cody (again)- saying he is truly an amazing dog. She asked is he different just because of his personality or is it because he is a BC. Made me start thinking. Yes- he is smart, loyal, hyper, fast, anxious to please - but is this a border collie or just a great dog. His desire to tune in to us - and almost anticipate our actions - that is why he is so special in my mind. So what makes a border collie so special? We all know they are, but why?

[desertranger]

Your question is like trying to answer, "What is love?"

 

They are special and it has a lot to do with their IQ and work ethic. They are truly a one person dog. They may listen to other family members but they will only obey one totally. They are imaginative and smart enough to train themselves and learn on their own. Glyniss, Surra and Fuzzer would get trapped in a small side yard with a latched lattice gate that opened inwards. Glyn taught herself how to open the gate and hold it until Surra and Fuzzer went through then she would follow latching the gate after her. None of us taught her that. I have a problem with Jin. He likes to bolt but strangely enough he only bolts to the car. It doesn't matter where we are, if he's off lead and we head back for the car he bolts to it before I give him a go command. How does a 16 wk old puppy ID a specific car in a parking lot. Especially when I don't go to the same place twice in a row. BC's are intelligent enough to be turned loose to do their jobs and return without human help. A BC is smart enough to be a service dog and a sports dog at the same time.

 

That's the start. Now add in the people who own them. The bond between a us and our dogs is closer than it is between many people. Certainly while there is a closeness between other dogs and their masters it is much closer with a BC. They seem to know what you want. Try this. Give your dog a sit stay and walk away. Then kneel down make eye contact and hold out your hand. Only speak his/her name nothing else. They should come to you with no other training. That's how I call Jin when he won't come on a normal recall. Here's more. How many ways can you teach your dog to sit. I mean how many words can you use. Surra use to crash to the ground when I said, "Oogla blooga" A stupid dog trick but impressive when you tell people it's not what you say but how you say it then say something seemingly at random. Better if it's done in a whisper. Of course it helps if your dog has a vocabulary of 15 words for "crash to the ground" plus a few hand signals, even surreptitious ones.

 

He wants to do whatever you want him to. That's common enoguh among dogs but not to the exstent that a BC does it. They can tell the difference between frisbee, ball and the other ball. Is there a limit as to how much they can learn? I don't know. If there is I haven't reached it in 35 years of BCs. Nor do I think I've even come close to seeing it when I watch some of these things on Youtube.

 

I've had other dogs, I have Mookie a rough collie. She's fairly smart for dog, well trained and is even learning new stuff with Jin. It takes her longer to learn (she's 7yrs) and she can't do everything Jin does. But you see that's the point. She's just a dog. Mook vocalizes to show her feelings. You get figure out what she wants by what she's "saying" and it is by no means consistent. Jin's vocalizations are different, he tells you in no uncertain terms. I want out, good morning, play with me. Am I crazy, am I imagining it? Look at your own dog for the answer.

 

Wait there's more, a lot more. What about instant celeb status where ever you go. Take two extremely cute and adorable puppies, one a BC. Who gets the attention? Jin's got a fan club at the vet, gets more attention that the opther animals there. Dr Teri turns him loose in the mornings to let him run around. She doesn't do that with any other dogs I'm told. He's the unofficial mascot for the local Petsmart everybody there was very upset over his getting parvo. And what about here? What makes Jin so special among the other BCs here? What makes him different from Kaycee who broke her foot? They're both puppies in need of care and love. It's not me. Is it because he got parvo or is a puppy? I've never had a dog, BC or otherwise that gets the attention that Jin does. In fact no other breed I've ever seen gets the attention a BC does.

 

You asked what makes a BC different? Thre's my answer and it doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. But then again what is love?

 

 

To me it's a black and white face named Jin.

 

 

Does that help?

[RuthBelle]

It seems like Belle can read Bob's and my mind or at least anticipate what we want or are going to do. She amazes us with how quickly she learns things. Her (and other BC's) intelligence and abilities to figure things out are so astounding, most other dogs, are well, just dogs.

[herdcentral]

To be honest having owned both a BC and ACDS I would be hard pressed to say there was much difference in intelligence. There are definite breed quirks and differences but apart from that it would be very hard to pick as one being more special. ACDS bond incredibly closely with their person and have eyes for only you and learn extremely quickly and are good lateral thinkers. My BC is more likely to work for someone else but her ability to learn and read a situation are outstanding. She is very sensitive to body language. I havnt yet detected any difference in speed of learning although I must say by first ACD was an astoundingly clever dog. So I dont know the answer to this one.

[desertranger]

I'd like to see more thoughts on this.