I wrote this in Jan and posted it at **. I think it might be of interest here.

In the past few months several people I know have asked me about border collies as SDs and as PSDs. A lot of people don't believe a BC can make a good SD especially a PSD. (too many acronyms) Mostly because they're so damn smart. If you are have or are considering a border collie as an SD please read this.

Border collies (BCs) are different. It's not a comparison to other dogs, they just are. I'm not talking about better looking, being smarter, or anything like that. They are genetically different from other dogs. When I attend dog classes people get upset at over how easy my pup Jin learns something and the fact he is always at the top of the class. People really do get angry and upset over that. My trainer is always telling them in class, "Don't compare your dog to a BC, they're different." It is for that reason they don't always make good companions, pets or even service dogs.

BCs need to work, it is part of there heritage. They also need to be very active, Jin covers 4-8 miles a day. If they don't work they will create their own tasks. BCs can be severely OCD. Worse than some OCD people, so we as BC owners have to know that in order to avoid making our dogs OCD. BCs have a trait called "Eye", they stare at things, dogs, sheep, people, dust motes, light reflections, more. It can be a serious stare, happy, intimidating, a warning (to sheep) but never aggressive. I've set a dog staring at people and it can completely unnerve them. I've even used their "Eye" and appearance as a chick magnet, a BC is the perfect pickup tool when trained to walk up to a girl, bow deeply and then sit. ROFL!! They are also incredibly smart. In fact they can be smarter than a fifth grader as they spend time training and rewarding you, the owner.

"WAIT A MINUTE, who's in charge here?" The BC of course.

On the other hand they can be trained to do incredible feats. Youtube is filled with them doing almost anything you can think of. Do a search for Border Collie DVD and just watch them at play. They are incredibly beautiful. The classic look of a black and white BC along with others in more colors than you can think of, red, blue, merle, gray, white, tri and more. For that reason people want BCs. Unfortunately BCs are not for anyone. Too many of them wind up in rescue or fostered for many reasons including mental health issues. However BCs can be cured of problems, trained to work even when they're as old as 6-8 yrs. With the right person it is an incredible team. Jin wakes me up, reminds me to take my meds and warns when my anxiety levels get to high. He can even break a dis-associative state if I enter one.

While not normally used as a service dogs border collies are becoming more and more popular among the disabled. My Jin is a BC, I have several friends who also have them as SDs. All of them had to learn about BCs specifically so that both owner and dog can live in a harmony with each other. This is more important than achieving the same thing with another breed because of the BCs drive and intelligence.

I belong to forums that specialize in BCs, Aussies, ACDs and other herding breeds. Most of us as long time owners of BCs know they are different from other dogs. Training, raising and living with one is totally different than it is from other breeds and sometimes specialized help is needed. ** If you are interested in a border collie I strongly suggest you spend time learning about them before opting for one. FYI most BC rescues do not blanket OK an application for ownership. If you are shopping for a BC and find someone eager to sell you one or place a rescue with you walk away.

Addendum:

The BC as a PSD. I only know two PSD border collies, Shawn and Jin. BCs are emotionally attached to their handlers. It's not just a dog and owner thing. Carefull consideration should be taken when thinking about a BC as a PSD. It is not something I recommend for all people. Fortunatly for me it wi working out fine and may make a good book one day. I wold be more than willing to discuss BCs as PSDs.


BUT I have to be able to post photos first.

How can I talk about my Jin without a picture of him looking at you. :LOL:

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