We had to put down our last two dogs 20 months ago, and have put off the decision on a new dog until now. We had contemplated getting a pup next spring, and had only begun the process of deciding a breed or type. Last pair were great pets, but not as good as we'd like with kids, and since we sell retail where we live, well...we need to remedy that with this selection.
Had reason this weekend to spend some time with a neighbor down the road over other matters, and learned they raise, train, show, and sell Border Collies. I've always wondered why they had 5-6 sheep, but no more....turns out they are solely for working the dogs. Long story short, the wife comes to our house later that day with a 3 month old female border collie, and tells us....their most recent litter of 5 sold for $350 each, they rejected several potential buyers just believing they were not a good match with the breed and she has now gotten so attached to Molly that her primary concern is where the pup goes...and if we want her she will give her to us. Good looking pup, we have had numerous contacts with the sire....he is a very quietly friendly animal. He is also the biggest Border Collie I have ever seen....I asked and she said he is 55#. The pup, a little over 3 months is nearly 20#. Haven't seen the mother, but am told she is 30#.
This dog will stay in the house with us (a first for us), will have several acres on which it can run, will be subjected to a wide variety of people coming and going (looking at tractors). We need for it to be non-aggressive (though we wouldn't mind a warning bark at night, but we don't expect it to defend us) with people and at least not highly agressive with other animals. It will get a fair amount of attention, but we don't want a "needful" dog. Also must be fairly stable/consistent in behavior (a friend had a ****zu that I swear was bipolar---either that or just plain evil).
And let me say while a Border Collie might not have been our first choice, there are advantages this pup brings....1. we know the source, and the pup has been well cared for, 2. parents are healthy, 3. the woman has said they will gladly keep her anytime we need to be gone overnight or even a week or so (they still have 4 or 5 other dogs), and I like that as I hate putting a dog in a kennel.
So----for those who have, or have had, Border Collies, or true first hand experience with them.....please share what you have experienced. Thank you.
Had reason this weekend to spend some time with a neighbor down the road over other matters, and learned they raise, train, show, and sell Border Collies. I've always wondered why they had 5-6 sheep, but no more....turns out they are solely for working the dogs. Long story short, the wife comes to our house later that day with a 3 month old female border collie, and tells us....their most recent litter of 5 sold for $350 each, they rejected several potential buyers just believing they were not a good match with the breed and she has now gotten so attached to Molly that her primary concern is where the pup goes...and if we want her she will give her to us. Good looking pup, we have had numerous contacts with the sire....he is a very quietly friendly animal. He is also the biggest Border Collie I have ever seen....I asked and she said he is 55#. The pup, a little over 3 months is nearly 20#. Haven't seen the mother, but am told she is 30#.
This dog will stay in the house with us (a first for us), will have several acres on which it can run, will be subjected to a wide variety of people coming and going (looking at tractors). We need for it to be non-aggressive (though we wouldn't mind a warning bark at night, but we don't expect it to defend us) with people and at least not highly agressive with other animals. It will get a fair amount of attention, but we don't want a "needful" dog. Also must be fairly stable/consistent in behavior (a friend had a ****zu that I swear was bipolar---either that or just plain evil).
And let me say while a Border Collie might not have been our first choice, there are advantages this pup brings....1. we know the source, and the pup has been well cared for, 2. parents are healthy, 3. the woman has said they will gladly keep her anytime we need to be gone overnight or even a week or so (they still have 4 or 5 other dogs), and I like that as I hate putting a dog in a kennel.
So----for those who have, or have had, Border Collies, or true first hand experience with them.....please share what you have experienced. Thank you.
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