Seth Ruffer

I lurk here all the time because Border Collies are my favorite breed and also because in my opinion this site has the most knowledgable people and best dog-related resources on the web. But I try not to post too often--because we don't have a Border Collie. And I think our story might be pertinent to "newbies" who are considering this incredible breed. I'm not a newbie--from childhood I've had 14 dogs in my life (mostly rough collies), plus pound puppies and some other breeds. My mom was the "eccentric dog lady" of the neighborhood, and I've inherited her love for dogs. After extensive research, and even more extensive and wrenching soul searching, my wife and I decided that ours is not a good home--right now, anyway--for Border Collies. Maybe one day, but not now. And therefore, out of great love and respect for the breed, we decided to bring home other dogs instead. The good news is that there ARE many very, very good alternatives out there, in terms of intelligence, athleticism, and, most importantly ability to love and be loyal family members. And while all dogs, as important members of our families, need special attention, the fact is that most other dogs do not require the considerations one must make when they bring a Border Collie into their lives. Borde Collies need space, need patience from their families, need your understanding. Everyone knows they herd and need to run a billion miles a day at a billion miles an hour (of course--neither of those statements is absolute), but what a lot of people conveniently forget--even though they read it again and again--is that these are dogs that sometimes have bizarre obsessions. They're sometimes neurotic about getting your undivided attention. The thing I wish more people understood is that they're extremely intelligent--AND THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY A GOOD THING!!!! High intelligence in dogs does not mean your new puppy is gonna help your kids with algebra homework--it means they're likely gonna find ways to open your refridgerator; they're gonna find ways to get around, under or over the gate; they're gonna realize that the way to get your attention frequently means doing the things you most don't want them to do. And therefore, Border Collies wind up in shelters at probably a higher rate than any other breed. What a searing indictment of us as pet owners. So--if you don't want to be picked on 'cause you just want a pup, do what we did. Think, read, research, be honest with yourself, and THEN make appropriate choices. (We chose an Airedale, Emma, who's a bit of a terror but as she approaches her first birthday is beginning to show slight signs of calming down and becoming a great dog, and a Labradoodle, Mojo. I'm the kind of person who doesn't even like saying "doodle", but you know what?--sorry to my fellow-BC worshippers here--Labradoodles might be the single greatest "breed" on earth...bar none. Easy, easy, easy to train, extremely athletic and agile, won't herd sheep--but guess what? Won't herd three-year-old kids, either. And I used to think that no animal was a better communicator through their eyes than Border Collies---until we got a Labradoodle. Oh, and they don't shed and are hypoallergenic.) We have friends who have one of the greatest frisbee dogs at our park--which is more than enough for us. You know what he is? A Mutt--mostly Westie and (they think) Lab. Weird combination--great dog. So if you love Border Collies, go for it, but please think and be honest with yourself about what you want and why. You owe it to your dog, and you owe it to yourself if you don't wanna get flamed at places like this.

I lurk here all the time because Border Collies are my favorite breed and also because in my opinion this site has the most knowledgable people and best dog-related resources on the web. But I try not to post too often--because we don't have a Border Collie. And I think our story might be pertinent to "newbies" who are considering this incredible breed. I'm not a newbie--from childhood I've had 14 dogs in my life (mostly rough collies), plus pound puppies and some other breeds. My mom was the "eccentric dog lady" of the neighborhood, and I've inherited her love for dogs. After extensive research, and even more extensive and wrenching soul searching, my wife and I decided that ours is not a good home--right now, anyway--for Border Collies. Maybe one day, but not now. And therefore, out of great love and respect for the breed, we decided to bring home other dogs instead. The good news is that there ARE many very, very good alternatives out there, in terms of intelligence, athleticism, and, most importantly ability to love and be loyal family members. And while all dogs, as important members of our families, need special attention, the fact is that most other dogs do not require the considerations one must make when they bring a Border Collie into their lives. Borde Collies need space, need patience from their families, need your understanding. Everyone knows they herd and need to run a billion miles a day at a billion miles an hour (of course--neither of those statements is absolute), but what a lot of people conveniently forget--even though they read it again and again--is that these are dogs that sometimes have bizarre obsessions. They're sometimes neurotic about getting your undivided attention. The thing I wish more people understood is that they're extremely intelligent--AND THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY A GOOD THING!!!! High intelligence in dogs does not mean your new puppy is gonna help your kids with algebra homework--it means they're likely gonna find ways to open your refridgerator; they're gonna find ways to get around, under or over the gate; they're gonna realize that the way to get your attention frequently means doing the things you most don't want them to do. And therefore, Border Collies wind up in shelters at probably a higher rate than any other breed. What a searing indictment of us as pet owners. So--if you don't want to be picked on 'cause you just want a pup, do what we did. Think, read, research, be honest with yourself, and THEN make appropriate choices. (We chose an Airedale, Emma, who's a bit of a terror but as she approaches her first birthday is beginning to show slight signs of calming down and becoming a great dog, and a Labradoodle, Mojo. I'm the kind of person who doesn't even like saying "doodle", but you know what?--sorry to my fellow-BC worshippers here--Labradoodles might be the single greatest "breed" on earth...bar none. Easy, easy, easy to train, extremely athletic and agile, won't herd sheep--but guess what? Won't herd three-year-old kids, either. And I used to think that no animal was a better communicator through their eyes than Border Collies---until we got a Labradoodle. Oh, and they don't shed and are hypoallergenic.) We have friends who have one of the greatest frisbee dogs at our park--which is more than enough for us. You know what he is? A Mutt--mostly Westie and (they think) Lab. Weird combination--great dog. So if you love Border Collies, go for it, but please think and be honest with yourself about what you want and why. You owe it to your dog, and you owe it to yourself if you don't wanna get flamed at places like this.