Darryl

Wow, you guys and gals are great! Thanks for all the wonderful insight! And a special thanks to those of you who took the time to write a long post. Im continuing my reasearch and am fairly certain that the BC is the right breed for me. To clarify a few things.....When I say that Id like to bring him to work and keep him outside. He would be in a large grassy area about 40 ft from the shop in which I work. I would be able to go out and see him at least once an hour. And if the day were to be a long one, I have an hour at lunch to play with him. I guess what had me worried was the general reputation out there that BCs are an uncontrollable breed unless you live on a farm or something. But it seems to me that if Im willing to make the committment and spend the time with him, then things should be okay. Ya know, if I wanted a dog that wa just going to sit around the house, Id get a bulldog or something. But in doing my research, the BC seemed to be everything I was looking for in a dog. Like I said, I just wanted to get the opinions of those who have been there and own them. As far as rescues are concerned....I would absolutely like to get a dog from them for all the above-mentioned reasons. Its just that Im a bit intimidated by the applications and all the qualifications that they desire. I mean I do have a job and I dont have a large house or a large, fenced-in yard. I dont have a vet reference yet. Dont get me wrong, I absolutely agree that they should be duly strict on whom they allow to adopt....its just that I dont think I meet their critieria... Thanks for all the thoughts and opinions and references! Keep 'em coming! Darryl

Wow....glad Im doing a little bit of homework before I do anything!!!

thanks for the advice BorDur! I think Ill take a run to the Barnes and Noble and see if I can find that book. And a big thanks for the lead on what looks like an excellant breeder. I have no problem paying a good premium to get a quality dog. How is the temperment of yours? (gorgeous dog, by the way!) How old is he? And to clarify....did you say that dogs from working stock are generally more calm than those bred for looks?? I was under the impression that working dogs had the tendency to be more hyper.....

Hi everyone! I finally got rid of my landlady(bought the house from her, dont worry!), so now Im shopping for a dog. Ive done alot of reading about BCs and I really want one. I just want to make for certain that it is the right breed for me and that Ill be able to give it what it needs. So i have a few questions for all you experienced owners, and Ill give you a little info abour myself. Please feel free to comment as you see fit, I dont want to get the wrong breed! So how much activity do these dogs REALLY need? I mean if I take a walk in the morning, and then a jog at night at the very least, will that be enough? I plan on doing more things such as taking it to a park and playing frisbee and letting it run around, but I cant do that EVERY day. I mean will the dog become neurotic and hyper if it doesnt get to tire itself out everyday? I am a 25 yr old single guy who is quite active, so I do have the time and interest for a dog like this, but I do work anywhere from 4-8 hours per day. Now I could arrange to either bring the dog with me to work and let it hang around outside on a leash, with playtime from myself whenever i can get outside. Or I can have my neighbor and best friend come over and let him out for a little while each day while Im gone. Another thing to know is that my house is smallish on the inside, and the yard is also smallish. So the dog would have to mainly be an indoors dog as far as living is concerned, but I will take him out regularly. I dont have a fence, but I am open to installing one. Do any of you have a BC and also work full-time? How much time do you spend excercising the dog each day? I do understand that these dogs are very intelligent and need mental stimulation. That is one of the main things that had attracted me to the breed. So Im all into teaching him little tricks and teaching him do do things (ie fetch the paper, slippers, turn lights, etc.), is this the type of mental stimulation required? Wow, I know thats a lot of questions but I really want to make sure we are right for each other before I take one home. Any comments/questions, suggestions, or other info about the bredd is GREATLY appreciated!!!! Thanks! Darryl