The Working Border Collie

Ball?

A JOB?

As Perdie settled into her forever home, she started to show signs that she was a 'true' Border Collie and ...needed a job. She fell in love with the tennis ball! Perdie is obsessed with playing  fetch. This may seem like a lot of fun... and it is...but in moderation.

This is an obsession. She wakes in the morning, running to the back door hoping you will throw a ball. She runs outside, lies by the door waiting for you to throw a ball, just on the off chance you might throw it. Every park she has ever played fetch in she remembers and pulls towards it as you take her for a walk.  My neighbors know when she is going to the park to play fetch as it takes everything in my power to quiet her as she pulls, barking with joy all the way to the park.  

The Pink Ball

AGILITY


A dog with an obsession is never a good thing. I think it is hard on her. A border collie is a lot of work because they need to be challenged...needing a job. Agility is outstanding work for her quick mind. She loves it. I love it too. Especially when the instructor tells me it is my fault she ran past a jump....I turned my shoulders and Perdie noticed and thought she was to go the other way? Looks like I'm the one taking lessons. Border collies have Incredible minds! 


BE REALISTIC ABOUT THIS BREED

Before bringing a working dog into your home be realistic with your expectations. They require a lot more time and energy than other breeds. They need stimulation and challenge. They are very active for 15 years or so. They can not be left home alone all day as Perdie was.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Know as much about a breed as possible. My first rescue was an Australian Shepard on 'death row' at an animal shelter. She was misunderstood and without socialization and a 'job' she became fearful and aggressive. No one would go near her. Not even the staff at the shelter. 


Working dogs in the 'wrong hands' can become aggressive with fear. They don't know what to do so they snarl, growl and try to protect themselves. The number of smart, beautiful working dogs that have been euthanized is frightening. Please research the breed. 

Working Girl?

WHY RESCUE A MIXED BREED?


The majority of dogs in rescue are mixed breeds. You may find a lab-border collie cross or a flat coat retriever-border collie and maybe a little less 'working obsession' in these dogs.  There are wonderful mixes in rescue. That being said, if you are up for the active challenge of a working dog, there are plenty or border collies waiting in shelters. Some of the best agility dogs are rescued dogs. 

A Border Collie that wouldn't play ball?

PERDIE 

We adopted Perdie from All Breed Canine Rescue in 2006 when she was about six months old. She was so scared. She cowered from me and my children. She wouldn't even chase a ball. 

Perdie wouldn't have anything to do with a ball in 2006.

I still remember the conversation with her foster 'mom' over the phone, she said to me "how soon can you get here?"  Perdie was in rescue with 14 other adult dogs and this young border collie, confused as to why her family had given up on her, was terrified. 

Brown Puppy:

The day we picked her up, we placed her safely in a dog crate in the back of our SUV. We drove for about 10 minutes before the sounds and smells from the back forced us to pull over. She was not crying but releasing bodily fluid from both ends....ugh. I have learned that this is normal for some rescued dogs. They are just so scared. 

Well, what to do with this beautiful puppy that was brown and smelly?  We were on a muddy country road! We pulled over and cleaned her as best we could then plugged our noses and tried to reassure the little pup that all would be ok as we drove to the nearest  pet store. We found a Petsmart a half hour away and walked right in. We explained that she was a rescue and desperately needed a bath(like they couldn't tell she needed a bath...she was brown). They took her in with open arms. One hour later we picked her up. There she was screaming in a crate waiting for pick up. This little angle had been through so much. We couldn't wait to take her to her forever home.

She's a 'model'. Perdie today. 

Famous border collie?

She has come a long way. Perdie has two levels of obedience training and one level agility with McCanns. Adopting a border collie requires a lot of time and effort. They are  working dogs and unfortunately bred frequently by inexperienced breeders on the side of a country road. They are beautiful puppies...but a border collie is a working dog. 

And I don't mean this kind of work:  Perdie is  model with Hot Paws Talent . 

"sit" ok now what can I do for you?

Why was this beautiful border collie in Rescue?

A family had purchased Perdie, possibly from an inexperienced breeder and kept her in a crate while they went to work every day. Too tired at the end of the day, they didn't have time for her.(Any experienced border collie breeder would not sell their puppies to those not familiar with the breed. Again I stress she is a working dog!)  She became too much for her family to 'handle'. Did they research the breed? not likely. 

I can say at least they recognized their error and did not continue to confine a border collie and all her 'working' boundless energy to a crate for the rest of her life. I am grateful for that. Many are not so lucky.

Border collies are very, very smart dogs but that comes with a few challenges. (next post...the working border collie)

Beautiful Border Collie!

"Rescue a Dog and They Rescue You Right Back"   Sharron Purdy, MPR

Perdie is named after this wonderful woman that has dedicated her life to saving dogs.  Her rescue group is Moosonee Puppy Rescue. Please visit her site. She has done so much for dogs. A truly remarkable person.