BE PREPARED FOR A RUN FOR YOUR MONEY WITH THE BORDER COLLIE (Border Collie)

Member Name: mswhizz

Product:	Border Collie
Date:	05/07/09 (59 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: KEEP YOU FIT

Disadvantages: DON'T THINK ABOUT OWNING A BORDER COLLIE IF YOU HAVE LITTLE TIME TO SPARE

BORDER COLLIES

A Border collie is a type of dog, which very often rounds up sheep for farmers. They are extremely intelligent and are the most faithful dog I have ever come across. They have a fairly quiet nature, when resting, but are transformed into a tireless ball of energy when outside. They have a beautiful wavy haired coat and have a very soft and friendly face, usually brown eyes. You can buy from breeders around the country, which you can find on the web. The cost varies, £800 - 1,000, but well worth the money for the pleasure and fun you get from them!

I was lucky enough to own one some years ago; my husband got her from a sanctuary in the Stoke-on-Trent area. A little corny but I called her 'Stokie'. She was about three months old at the time, and I had no idea of how to train a dog properly. In hindsight I would not even have contemplated owning a dog, but especially this breed.

The collie need an enormous amount of exercise, and if they don't they will (As a puppy) be very naughty. My husband and I both worked at the time and would have to leave her alone. Stokie was so destructive; she basically chewed up everything in sight, from the window ledges to my make-up. Poor thing, she was licked up for several hours at a time. I used to pop back in my lunch hour and take her for a quick walk, but this animal requires several hours per day to be satisfied.

When this breed is young they seem to be tireless. We would go on marathon hikes and wear ourselves out, but not usually the dog.

She was a dream to train and we were very fortunate as in we could pop across one road and we'd be on the downs. I only once put her on a lead, she very quickly became used to the word 'heal'. Once she knew it she would walk to heal all the time.

Sometimes this breed can be very timid, which she was, she did not like loud noises, or raised voices. In fact if I ever raised my voice to any other members of my family she would crawl along to you to with her tail underneath her. We think she may have been the last of the litter.

The breed lives for about 14-16 years. Ours died at 13 as she contracted cancer, and had several lumps removed.

Stoke was very quiet and did not bark at all in her waking life, but she made up for is in her sleep whilst she dreamt. She was the most placid dog I have ever met and wasn't at all affected by my children when they were toddlers, when they tried to pull her tail and ears. She just sat under the pram outside shops and seemed quite happy tagging along with us. I did start taking her to work and she just sat under my desk, again very happy.

I would recommend this breed to anyone fairly energetic who has a lot of time on their hands, or a farmer who is going to work them, otherwise don't bother, get yourself a small pooch that needs little exercise, as it is unfair to keep this breed in doors too much.

My advice about owning a dog is think deeply before you get one, here are a few tips: - (Pros and cons)
1. A dog is for at least ten to thirteen years. (Sometimes longer)
2. They tie you down
3. Kennels are expensive and kennel cough can be caught easily
4. Keeping a dog is expensive with food and vets bills
5. They can be smelly and moult
6. They can mess up your house and carpets
7. Have to be careful with young children
8. The need exercise
9. Not recommended if no garden
10. Great fun
11. Affectionate
12. Keep you fit
13. Become one of the family


There are probably masses of other reasons, but that will do from me.

Thanks for reading!

Summary: A FANTASTIC INTERESTING AND INTELLIGENT DOG!