Border Collies
Working Sheepdogs

We have 3 working dogs that help us move and care for our small flock of sheep; all are border collies.

for more pictures of our dogs.

for an extensive list of border collie links.

The next section will answer some of the questions we routinely hear from prospective or new border collie owners.

Is a border collie right for me?

A border collie may be the perfect addition for your home or farm.   For those who have livestock, the well-bred and trained border collie can signficantly faciliate the completion of day-to-day chores. Many farmers cannot imagine raising livestock without their working dog.  However, lack of a herding home does not necessarily mean that you should not own a border collie.  Likewise, not all farms should have a border collie.

Following the release of the movie "Babe" and information in the media regarding the intelligence of this breed, many people considered adding a border collie to their home or farm.  Unfortunately, concurrent with the surge in popularity has been an increase in the number of border collies surrendered to shelters and rescue groups.

Herding ability, not looks, is the very essence of what distingishes the border collie from other breeds of dogs.  Border collies have, are, and should be bred for their herding ability.  However, some of the traits desired by breeders may not be those that make the border collie "good" pets for certain families.  The very characteristics that make a border collie good at herding sheep -- for example, their intelligence, athletic ability, endurance, work ethic, sight and sound sensitivity -- may also make them inappropriate in a particular home or cause problems in certain situations.   Prospective owners need to realistically consider whether their lifestyle will nurture positive or negative aspects of the border collie's behavior and personality or whether they would be happier and better served by getting another breed.  In other words, can they (or do they want to) meet the following needs over the life of their dog:

Border collies need appropriate levels of mental and physical stimulation

The border collie needs not only daily exercise, but also mental stimulation.  When either of these needs is not met, the border collie will create its own activities, often to the dismay of the owners. Some common problems related to the lack of stimulation include chewing, digging, and inappropriate herding (of cars, children and other animals).  Many types of farm work exercise the border collie's mind and body.   Other activities can also meet these dual objectives.  It is not surprising then that we find border collies happily participating in obedience and agility, or assisting their masters in search and rescue or as companion dogs. 

On the flip side, some owners constantly stimulate their dog in the mistaken notion that eventually it will tire.  Instead, overstimulation may encourage or exacerbate hyperactivity and compulsive behaviors.   "Cap" CAN lob a ball at you 24 hours a day, if allowed.  It's a good idea to alternate periods of "work" or play  with enforced quiet time.   While you are making dinner or working at the computer, you can teach your pup to "down-stay," working slowly up to periods as long as 1/2 hour.  This exercise will help your dog be thoughtful once it starts herding, and if sheep are not part of your dog's future, will make them a better partner and member of your family. 

Border collies need to be trained

There is mistaken notion that because border collies are intelligent, they can train themselves.  Indeed while border collies often learn quickly, if left to their own devises they learn things that you don't want them to.  Remember, jumping, hyperactivity, barking, nipping, etc. that are "cute" in a young puppy may become reasons for surrendering an older dog.

Border collies need to be supervised

Herding is a predatory instinct.  If not channeled in an appropriate manner, the behaviors associated with this instinct can become a nuisance or, in some cases, a severe problem.  For example, border collies will herd children, family pets and even cars.  Unsupervised border collies have also been known to kill livestock.  Control is essential to avoid heartbreaking consequences.

Because Border Collies are bred almost exclusively for their herding ability they vary greatly in their looks.

At about 2 years old, our rescue, "PeeWee", grows more dear to us everyday.  He still does not show interest in herding our sheep.  However, he loves helping out with the chores and "herds" the chickadees at the birdfeeder, the cats and the geese.  He has finally gotten used to travelling in the car and as a result, this winter, suffered the disgrace of being dressed up like "Santa-dog" and being paraded around to all the neighbors' houses.  He has quite a repertoire of tricks which he will happily show you in exchange for his favorite treat, "toast."

Learn more about training your border collie, PLUS get the information you need about border collie activities including herding, breeders, diseases and health, canine nutrition, border collie organizations and many other topics of interest to owners of working border collies at our Border Collie Links Page. 

For example, directions for ordering the FREE pet emergency sticker, pictured below, can be found there.

This page is always under construction - please come back to see the progress we have made.  Do you have comments or suggestions?  Email us!

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