RedDawnZoe

No... not dog breeding specifically. Liz

Hello Everyone, I just finished reading the long conversation which was created with this inital post. However, I will say that I will defend Kelliwic on her stating that she doesn't have the opportunity to show at the open level. Beginners to the industry don't always have the funds to enter and show their dog at this level. Does that mean her dog shouldn't be bred? In my opinion, before I ever bred my dog, I would of course have a second opinion on her... but otherwise is she has true savvy to herd, short of sending us all a video, how DO we know how her dog herds? I think Kelliwic is a beginner to the industry. All of you breeders out their were beginners at one time or another. I'd be surprised if every single one of you started out with a open trial winning dog in your program. I'll say that I find the devotion to the true working BC true on this board. It's obvious that you are all fiercly devote to the BC breed (as am I) and that is a wonderful thing. Liz

I'm honestly not trying to sound like a complete idiot here... but do you mean that all BC breeders should be driven from sheep work or trialing, and breeders who breeder BC's who do not herd should not? In my area of the US, BC's are seen frequently on the working ranches, but mainly with livestock in general - horses, cows, goats, chickens... and even then, some of them don't actually herd. However, we have BC's in our area that are incredibly athletic and do well in obedience, agility and flyball. I don't think they should be penalized because they cannot / have not been given the opportunity to herd... and not potentially be bred. Liz

Sometimes the choices in these type of situations are not up to me. My parents don't want a deaf dog. I have attempted to show them information pulled from google.com searches as well as deafdogs.org, to no avail.

No, Zoe is not completely deaf. She simply does not respond to normal range sounds. High frequency sounds - such as one of her squeaky toys - she does hear.

I am located about 10 minutes outside of Omaha! Zo? needs to go to a home with experience with Border Collies, deaf dogs, or both. Zo? is my very first Border Collie and I?m not sure that I would be able to train her to her fullest potential. I train for Noah?s Assistance Dogs and I honestly don?t have the extra time to train a deaf dog as compared to training a hearing one. Still, if Zo??s condition isn?t genetic, you can bet 100% that I will do literally everything in my power to have her cured/improved. Genetically Zo??s parents both have nothing that would indicate why she is deaf, which is why I am hoping that it?s curable. Her sire is a merle, but is BAER tested and passed, and her dam is black and white, and from black and white bloodlines; therefore not a ghost merle. I?ve been trying to find a vet in Omaha who specializes in hearing, genetics, and/or reproduction to take Zo? too- and so far I?ve had no luck. Elizabeth & Zoe

I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has offered me advice regarding Zoe. However, I wanted to clarify the background on Zo??s breeding. Zoe is not the result of a merle x merle breeding?her sire was a merle, but her dam was a black and white. Her breeder has been more than supportive of me and Zoe. We are both currently working to discover if Zo??s deafness is due to genetics or to a health condition. If it turns out to be a genetic condition breeding the dogs will not occur again. I?m planning on testing Zo??s hearing with the BAER test at Iowa State University, to ensure that she is completely deaf. I?m hoping that it is a health condition - which perhaps can be improved . Zoe is very smart - the typical Border Collie - and after reading the www.deafdogs.org website?s training tips I already have her sitting and have started the beginnings of the command for stay. The biggest challenge thus far has been keeping her attention on me during the training process. I?ve been using treats as a reward and they seem to prompt her into forming eye contact with me. We?ve had some problems mentioned on the deaf dogs website - Zoe will often play bite very hard, and she doesn?t react to a vacuum unless she is close enough to feel the vibration- thus enjoys attacking it at every opportunity. I?ve been encouraged by the fact that when startled Zoe has never snapped. She seems to work primarily from hand signals during my lessons, although she is gaining some reactions to body language. Pending the results of the BAER test, Zoe will be flown back to her breeder, who has agreed to find her a new pet home. She is such a love bug ? I can imagine her being perfect for an owner who has had some prior experience with BC?s or deaf dogs. Finding Zoe a new home is my FIRST priority. I wish I could be greedy and keep her here with me, but I don?t think that would be ideal for her. I have a lot of experience training dogs in obedience - I train dogs for an assistance dog program in Nebraska - and I am enjoying learning with Zoe the basics of training a deaf dog. I think several of the training commands used in deaf dog training would come in handy for dogs with normal hearing as well. Again, thank you all for your support! Elizabeth & Zoe

Nebraska.

Thank you for the information. I've been working with Zoe daily, and she is already responding to sit with a hand signal, and is doing well with stay as well. She has that beautiful Border Collie enthusiasm and "spirit" for life, and has learned easily, and quickly. I've decided to take Zoe to Iowa State University - to have BAER testing. Despite my vet's confirmation of her being deaf, I do believe that she does have SOME level of hearing in one ear. Deafdogs.org - which has been FULL of useful information for us - has developed a vibrating collar for deaf dogs. It's primary drawback is that it weighs too much for Zoe right now. Elizabeth & Zoe

No, this was not a merle to merle breeding. Zoe's sire is a red merle, and her dam is a black and white.

I don't need to consider rescue at this time. Zoe will stay with me if I cannot find her a home. I'm interested in learning more about deaf dogs as well... so if you have any personal tips or information to help with Zoe please let me know. Elizabeth

I've contacted my breeder. She has offered me several options since discovering that Zoe was deaf, and has agreed to take Zoe back and place her in Texas, or assist me in finding her a home. My first and ONLY goal is to find Zoe a loving PET home. She has a heart of gold. I'd pefer to see her placed in a home which has previous experience with Border Collies, and/or deaf dogs.I've already started her on hand signals - she has picked up on them very well and within two days of training has already learned the sit signal. Elizabeth

Hello Everyone, I have a 10 week old blue merle female Border Collie who has been vet confirmed as deaf. She needs a new home - where she will recieve the specialized training and one-on-one attention that she deserves. Incredible temperament, fabulous disposition, beautiful and unique color. If you are interested in providing her with an exceptional home, please email for an application. If your application is approved, interviews will be taken via phone. Please include at least one vet reference in your inital email. Contact: Gray8806@yahoo.com Elizabeth

Based from my own personal experience with ?pullers? I would highly recommend the Halti. I?ve had two different dogs who were strong pullers at every opportunity with flat collars. They also would try to evade the choke collar pressure as well. They also all received plenty of exercise - they have full access to several acres of fields. Changing directions and standing still did not work with them either. Although it took a long period of adjustment, both of my dogs accepted the Halti?s. Both pawed at their faces and heads during the adjustment process. After teaching them (with treats in one case, without in another) positive work comes with the Halti, both dogs manners on the leash improved dramatically. One of my dogs was an especially strong puller - so after adjusting to the Halti, I begun to use the Halti in combination with the flat collar. When she pulled with the flat collar, I would apply pressure to the flat collar - stopping - than follow up with pressure on the Halti. If that does not work, try combining a Halti and choke or pinch collar. Good Luck! Elizabeth