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Pat:
Now that I've been training Sasha for
agility for a while I feel more qualified to comment on this
type of collie as an agility dog. I would say that if
you're looking for a first agility dog then a very lively,
hyperactive working sheepdog/border collie of this type may
not be suitable. If you haven't done any agility
before you will be on a steep learning curve. You could be
put off if your dog is so hyperactive that you feel you're
not making progress. If you already have this sort of
dog then go for agility by all means but try and find a good
trainer and also somewhere where you can train without the
excitement of the agility class.
Leann:
I have a border collie and I think border collies are amazing!!!!!!!
Jane:
I have a 9 month old border collie and he is the biggest couch potato ever, but is also so
much fun out on his walks which he has 2 good ones a day. Our other BC was 16 years
old when he passed away last year and he was just the same, a pleasure to have and
soooo much part of the family. I am looking forward to starting agility with my
little un (that's if he can be bothered!!!!)
Lisa:
Me and my fiance have a nine month old border collie, he is a pain sometimes but
only when he is bored. He loves all people, children and other dogs, he is so loving and does loads of tricks
including balancing his treats on his head before eating them, we love this breed of dog so much that tonight
we are getting a 4 year old border collie from a couple who don't have as much time for him any more.
They are lovely if the right owner has them.
Jane:
Training children, adults or animals consistency and praise works more often than not.
Heather:
I adopted a 5 year old retired herding dog about three years ago... and was
terrified to pick her up because I only heard "They are so much work... needy...
bark... bite... too high energy... bad with kids..." I have never experienced any
of these things except an excited bark once a day and needy (will nudge till you
tell to go)... She wants to be in my lap or in the same room constantly and loves my
eight month old. She has never nipped or made a noise while he sits and pulls her
hair... she just sits til she gets tired of it and walks away. She is extremely
intelligent and the best dog I could have asked for!!! Maybe she was just a fluke
in the mix!?
Pat comments:
She's not a fluke. Sasha loves to be with us and although
she's only two she will settle down. She likes to sit on
our laps and snuggle up to us. Jamie isn't really a lap
dog. He's got such a thick coat that he gets too warm so
he likes to find himself a cooler spot. I wonder if your collie
would like to take up obedience or agility. They do enjoy
these activities and it gives them an outlet for their energy
and intelligence.
Fly:
Constant barking and nipping at other dogs when the other dogs are moving around
the course.
Sarah:
May be easy to train but they learn bad
habits even quicker and can be hard to
contain their excitement. Wouldn't recommend as a first time dog
owner.
Jenn:
I have found that they are a well behaved breed and the most intelligent. A bit
sulky and pouty at times and great at the pity me eyes. I married a man who had a 5
year old Border Collie already and she has taken to me right off. We just recently
added a 6 week old to our family and I really look forward to teaching her all the
things I missed with our older girl. My husband has taken this Rottie lover and
moved her into Border Collie Heaven!
Viv:
Best dogs in the world - I've had several over the years, currently Mad Molly who
runs rings round me in the agility ring. We also have 9 month old Blue who is deaf
- quite a challenge to train but what a fantastic dog he is. The first time he went
to obedience class he was so good the trainer didn't notice he was deaf!
Deb and David:
Really good fun for both Charlie (dog) and us
Border Collie handler:
She's great at agility and loves it, my main
problem is keeping up with her and
keeping her under control - given a chance she's off round the
ring jumping over
everything in sight!
Uzi:
I have two border collies. A male and a
female. Our male is large and our female is
your ideal border collie, 21ins. They are very smart and HIGH
energy!
Ceri:
I have just got a Border Collie and he is
great he is 15 weeks old, house trained
virtually from day 1 (he had one accident !) very intelligent
and great company. I
grew up with a Border Collie and my parents have a three year
old now and I would
never have any other breed. That said they are hard work
and do need constant
stimulation but it is well worth it and very rewarding.
Sophie (Welsh border collie)
Although Fly my Border Collie is very intelligent
and picks new things up quickly
he is still quite difficult to train for the inexperienced
handler as he is full of
energy and it takes a firm controlled calm handler to rein him
in.
Although he is a star at agility Flyball and heelwork to music
and has picked up all
new sports quickly.
Debbie:
Border collie very intelligent but hard work.
Learn bad habits as quick as good
ones. Can be nervous.
Border Collie handler:
My dog only needs telling once, after that he will
learn very quickly. a very good
dog.
Holly (Border
collie puppy):
My border collie Mac is so easy to train although
he can get excited, not uncontrollably though, this is probably because he's a puppy.
Border collies are
obviously very intelligent so he picks things up quickly. I
think every dog can do
agility, although border collies are the obvious and first
choice.
S.Burroughs:
A border collie makes an excellent pet but bundles of energy that needs an outlet and their mind needs just as much stimulation.
Deanne:
Agility is sooo good, I
love it and the dogs. I
work for other people who do too.
Colin:
Very loyal and affectionate pet.
Ideal pet if you're
active. First Dog I've had and I'm 46. He's been a new lease of life for me and wife. Love taking him
walking on beach and over hills.
However would be unfair on dog if owner not prepared to give him
1 good run per day. He's certainly improved our fitness levels.
Hayley:
I think Border Collies are the best dogs in the
world. I
have two of them, one is a
puppy and one is 2, and they
are the best breed ever.
Ricksy:
Once you've had a Border
collie, there aint no goin' back. We've
got Two, we've had
four altogether, and although
they do need constant attention, it's
well worth it, and it keeps us fit as
well. Love 'em.
Troy and Holly, Our Border Collies.
Debbie Walker
The dog is very easy to train,
it's the handler who is the problem!
Helen:
I read about the collie 'grinning' and mine
does exactly the same! To an unknowing
person it can look as through he is
about to bite, bless him. I wouldn't have this
breed unless I was totally dedicated to the time
they need for work stimulation. He
is allowed to use his brain and energy at
everything we do. I am going to
construct my own agility jumps to keep him happy (and me!)
I shudder when I see the breed taken in as a pet, and
left for hours at home, alone, to go
literally mad from boredom. Kids wouldn't be expected to go
through what the poor dogs have
to...isolated and stifled. It's so exhilarating to see the breed
doing what they do
best.....work and play hard. Don't they smile when they are happy
:)
Tracy:
Intense, ball obsessed, intelligent and fast! Loves
to work and needs constant
stimulation, physical and mental. But
that beautiful intelligent face, and eyes
will make you melt.
Survey respondent:
Would only recommend Border Collies to people who like the breed
for themselves, not because they do well at agility.
Holly says:
Most people think border collies are the most
obvious choice for competing at
agility as they are intelligent and
fast but I also have another dog,
Phoebe, who is a crossbreed of a
yorkshire terrier and an airdale
terrier. She is brilliant at agility,
I'd say she is as good as Mac, my border collie so it really
doesn't matter what kind of dog you
have as long as its big enough and is suitable. After
all, all size of dog can compete so just go out there and
enjoy it!
Steph (border
collie/blue merle)
She is a bit lazy.
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