Todd's Mom

I think it has more to do with how the dogs are raised than with them being border collies. I personally have 8 border collies. 7 of them have been around kids most of their lives. The oldest one, who is 12, lived with a single woman prior to entering our home. He LOVES children more than anything in life besides maybe a tennis ball. Of the other 7, one came to our home at the age of 7 months and he also melts at the sight of our own children and strange children as well. None of them have been allowed to nip each other or children through any part of their lives in play or herding, and that seems to help. But even with strange children they get all squirrely and crazy. Most of them choose to sleep with the kids at night or lounge with them during the day. They will play with them at any time, but they're just as happy to spend their "kid" time snuggling as playing. I think it's because in their cases, the kids were always here first. The kids range in age from 13 to 6 and the dogs from 12 to 1. Our kids have been raised around dogs their whole lives as well, and they are taught to respect a dog in ways that I don't think a lot of people teach their children. If the dog walks away, leave it. There is/was absolutely no fur, ear, or tail pulling, even as toddlers it wasn't allowed. They never run up to a strange dog, or even walk up to it without first asking the owner if they can do so. I guess I'm lucky in the regard that I have always been a dog lover and they were dropped into that role as well. Though we do have a cat lover in the family...sigh.

I have a retired 12 year old boy who played flyball, but he has competed in quite some time. He retired due to hip dysplasia though, not intolerance to activity. Do you want samples from dogs who currently compete in sports/stockwork only or those who have retired as well?

I say who cares about Q's or titles. The point of agility in the first place is to have fun with your dog and increase your bond. So if they both enjoy the game, play it. If either one of them doesn't, then quit.

Yay Kelso! He's making strides! I think we need new pictures with the wonderful news!