Why a BC is probably not for you^[i]!

The BC-Chronicle “staff”

Now, we know that this statement may come as a surprise to the readers of this site since you have probably come to think of us as BC proponents … however, partnering^[ii] (we don’t think that owning is possible) with a BC can certainly be a challenge at times (and sometimes more than other times!). 

As a general rule, BCs are not easy pets – they can be “too intense” and “too energetic”.  BCs are usually workaholics; but they won't usually exercise too much on their own.  Most want their human counterparts to participate in whatever they do.  If you don’t provide a “job” for them, they will find it for themselves – generally, at the expense of your lawn, furniture, walls, cats, and/or whatever else looks tempting to dig, chew, or chase!  Yes, they are extremely quick, high-energy, busy dogs, and must have plenty of exercise.  They have been bred for endurance:  a working BC can run as much as 100 miles a day over sometimes difficult terrain, then be more than ready to go out and do it again tomorrow.  A one or two mile walk may seem like a long way to you, but it's barely a warm-up for a "tuned up" BC.  Without exercise, a bored BC can become neurotic and destructive.

Be sure you know what you're getting into if you think you want a BC.  They have been bred for hundreds of years to hone and refine a very strong herding instinct.  They will herd everything that moves:  livestock, birds, other dogs, cats, children, lizards and even bugs (though ours have successfully learned (I believe that you do not "train" BC's - you "learn" them!  Don't under estimate that mind that they have!) to leave our quail alone, though the lizards and frogs are extremely TIRED).  A lot of folks have no patience with the way the herding instinct displays itself and operates in a family situation, and many BCs end up abandoned at the local dog pound (or listed on rescue sites) because of it.  BCs run hard, they chase children (sometimes nipping them because they don't stop or go in the direction that the BC desires), they throw toys at you nonstop, they are continually underfoot trying to herd, they constantly nudge you (or guests) for attention, they bark a lot when they are playing, they love to chew and dig, they rarely lie down and sleep when they are young, and they mature very slowly (and some of ‘em never do!!).  Many, many young Border Collies are hurt, or killed, each year trying to herd vehicles by running in front of them.

Sure, BCs are very intelligent and learn quickly.  At first, this may seem like a good thing, but it can actually be a problem at times: they easily learn things that their person didn't intend for them to learn, and some of these newly-learned behavior patterns can be difficult to re-teach.  Their intelligence is one of the reasons that they tend to get bored and can get into trouble so easily.  But then, it's also one of the reasons they excel in obedience, training/competition, herding, agility, and so many other dog sports.  MAJOR QUESTION:  Do you really want to partner with a dog that just might actually be smarter than you?

I mean … they are beautiful dogs ... they're intelligent, energetic workaholics; but here are a few more traits to explain why you wouldn’t want these dogs: