Gunnison Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 I recently adopted my newest dog (Gunnison) from a neighbor of mine who was moving out of the country and couldn't take him with her. She had gotten him from the humane society and when she gave me his paperwork, I was surprised to see that the humane society had him listed as an Australian Shepherd. I have had several Aussies and Aussie mixes, and while Gunner might have some Aussie in him, I see more border collie. After a quick google search, I believe he is a sable saddled border collie. Not that it matters, but I would love your opinion on the matter. In a few of the pictures he is with my Australian Shepherd/Red Heeler Mix, Lucy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cass C Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 I see Aussie, or possibly a BC mix. To me they have a very similar look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 From what I see, I'd agree with the OP. Behavior is often more indicative than just looks, though, so I'd take that into consideration as well. And you're also correct that he's one very handsome guy. Good for you for giving him a great home when his FO couldn't take him along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Beer Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 I'd say possibly English Shepherd. You might want to check out some ES sites and see if the behavior matches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smalahundur Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 Ehm, your man looks suspiciously like a dog... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 I spoze ES is a possibility, as well. I was going to ask how big he is, but I've seen some pretty small ESs. They tend to be a little heavier boned, but there's so much variation in border collies that even that's not a given. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnison Posted April 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 Gunnison is 50 lbs, and exhibits behaviors of most herding breeds. He loves to "help" herd the cows and bison on our ranch with Lucy, and has boundless energy. He has zero interest in retrieving anything with my husband's hunting lab, but loves playing in the water. He has pretty intense separation anxiety when I leave him for more than 2 minutes, and is my constant shadow. He was a street dog before being adopted by my neighbor, and for the first couple of weeks he was extremely nervous of almost everything. He is very shy of most men and small children, unless I am with him. He is coming around though and since he has been with us, he really has shown more of his true character. All that really matters is that Gunner is a happy and well loved guy. I'm glad he came to our family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 Welcome, and thank you for giving him a loving home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 Lovely boy. I also love his name. Are you from Colorado? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ourwully Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 I don't know anything about types of dogs but I do know that both your dogs are exceptionally handsome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riika Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 I too think he's got English Shepherd... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brady's mom Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 Those ears!! He's gorgeous. I see collie and ES, but the best way would be to watch how he works and go from there like others have said. Either way, he's adorable. I'm glad you found each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 I agree that you'll probably learn more about him from his working style than anything else. Border collies and English shepherds -- and Aussies -- have very different working styles, and since he's helping you with the livestock you're in a perfect position to be able to see that. If you're not familiar with the ways these various breeds work, I'd suggest you watch some videos on YouTube and elsewhere. Better yet, so go t some trials to see the real thing in real time. You might even get hooked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 Ha! Look what a friend (who has ESs) just liked on FB: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=770583189703825&set=a.102891469806337.9047.100002564539823&type=1 Sure looks a lot like your dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum24dog Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 Gunner looks more like a Welsh Sheepdog to me, if rather heavy at 50lbs. I imagine it's unlikely though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 He looks VERY much like my Seamus who is all Border Collie. I can't post a picture for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnison Posted April 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 Thanks everyone! I am most familiar with the style and body language of how Aussies and Heelers work livestock, and he doesn't really relate to either. I'm not very familiar with any other styles, but I will most definitely look into some videos. We are most certainly from Colorado! He was named Gunnison because my family has a cabin by the Anthracite range on Ohio creek pass by Gunnison that I absolutely love. I also am a raft guide/kayaker in the summers and the black canyon on the Gunnison river is one of my favorites! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfisher7151 Posted April 16, 2015 Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 Yay! Other people from Colorado! I did honor bands in Gunnison in high school, what a beautiful town! But coooooold. In the first picture, he really reminds me of Tess, a BC on the forum. She's owned by Tess' Girl if you want to look her up. She's also a sable. Like everyone said, his personality traits will be more telling of what he is. But I wouldn't question BC if that's what you told me. He definitely is some type of herder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurelin Posted April 16, 2015 Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 Gunner looks more like a Welsh Sheepdog to me, if rather heavy at 50lbs. I imagine it's unlikely though. He looks exactly like the family of Welsh sheepdogs I've met. But from talking to owners they are very very rare in the US. Assuming the poster is in the US of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum24dog Posted April 16, 2015 Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 They aren't that common in the UK either. The only place I come across them is in agility. I don't live in Wales though, or even go there very often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnison Posted April 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 I appreciate all of the input! I will look more into the herding styles of English shepherds and Welsh sheepdogs. The longer we have Gunner, the more convinced I am that he wasn't a "backyard accident" puppy. He picked up herding the cattle almost immediately and works with Lucy effortlessly. We thought he was going to just be a pet, and weren't sure how he'd react to livestock after being a city stray (my neighbor adopted him in Denver, Colorado). However, it's obvious that herding is in his blood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted April 16, 2015 Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 Seriously, don't discount full Border Collie. It is very possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnison Posted April 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 Seriously, don't discount full Border Collie. It is very possible. I most certainly haven't! However when he works the cattle, he holds his tail pretty high and he doesn't do the common border collie crouch/stalking movement. I know not EVERY border collie crouches/stalks but it is indicative of the breed. He also doesn't have a "strong eye" when working. It's my understanding that these are strong traits of the Border collie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 There are plenty of BCs that don't have much eye. Also tail position may change over time. He's a beauty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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