Questions About National Sheepdog Finals

[KelseyF]

I am looking into possibly get a border collie a few years down the road (early to mid-2013). I'm looking for a great family pet as well as an awesome sports competitor (flyball/agility). I know that a dog from working border collie lines is the way to go and I figure my best chance to see all that the working world has to offer would be by going to the National Sheepdog Finals in Middletown, VA. Before attending, I have some questions.

 

The finals seem to span about a week. Would attending on September 25 and 26 be the best days because they are the finals?

 

What should I be looking for to weed out the great dogs from the good dogs? I do not have a whole lot of experience with border collies, so I am sure they will all look super driven and intense to me. I am sure that with time, research, and observation I will be able to figure this out for myself, but I was wondering if you had any "quick tips".

 

What's the best way to introduce myself to people with dogs I like? Do herding people tend to be friendly towards people looking for flyball and agility dogs? Are they willing to sell to non-herding homes?

 

I guess I just don't really know what to expect overall, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[juliepoudrier]

The finals seem to span about a week. Would attending on September 25 and 26 be the best days because they are the finals?

 

If you attend the last two days (semifinals and finals), you will be treated to the best of the best, and of course a double-lift final is always a treat to watch.

 

What should I be looking for to weed out the great dogs from the good dogs? I do not have a whole lot of experience with border collies, so I am sure they will all look super driven and intense to me. I am sure that with time, research, and observation I will be able to figure this out for myself, but I was wondering if you had any "quick tips".

 

If you were actually looking for a dog to work stock, then tips for weeding out great from good might be useful, but I think if you are looking for a companion and sports competitor then you really need only look for a style of dog that seems to suit you. You could always ask handlers about temperaments and the like, but really any decent working dog ought to meet your needs.

 

What's the best way to introduce myself to people with dogs I like? Do herding people tend to be friendly towards people looking for flyball and agility dogs? Are they willing to sell to non-herding homes?

 

Just go up and introduce yourself and tell them you like their dog. Few people won't respond well to a compliment, and liking their dog is a compliment. That said, if it's clear someone is getting ready to run or has just come off the field (and especially if the run didn't go so well), that's not a good time to try to start up a conversation. If you see a dog running that you like, make a note to yourself and approach the handler later. Some folks will be less inclined to sell to sport homes and some have no qualms about it. The only way to find out is to ask, and don't take it personally if someone says no. Some people will really want to try to place pups in working homes first; others, while also desiring working homes, may also be just as interested in good homes, no matter what the dog will be doing.

 

I guess I just don't really know what to expect overall, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Be prepared to enjoy yourself. When the time gets closer, you can find out who from this forum will be there, and that will at least give you a virtual starting point for meeting folks and talking dogs.

 

If you have other specific questions, go ahead and post them!

 

J.