98rocket Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Hi All! I am a long time (25 years) sheltie rescuer in Southern California. Recently we got a "sheltie" in to our rescue group who had gone into the shelter as a stray. He was sick with an upper respiratory infection and spent a week at the veteranarian's office. He was EXTREMELY fearful, cowering in his cage, completely non-responsive. When he was well, I offered to foster him as I have had a lot of luck with terrified shelties in the past. When he was brought to me I was shocked to see he was not a sheltie at all! LOL! As the days have gone by (I have had him a week now) not only has he blossomed into quite a wonderful dog, but also....I think...a border collie! I stumbled on your board and was really excited to get your opinions on what he is and how I might want to continue with his rehab and placement. His name is Sam, he is probably under a year old and is 17" tall and weighs 21 lbs. The only thing I think that may not be Border Collie is his size. On the other hand, he might still be growing! He is EXTREMELY intelligent, willing to overcome his fears each day, has a VERY intense stare (crazy eyes!) and moves in an un-sheltie manner. When he sees the kitties (he is very interested in them!) he lowers his head to shoulder level and stalks them, with his tail erect, but not a gay tail. His tail seems like a clue, it goes out straight but curves over to the side at the top quarter or so. I don't know why, but that made me first think he might be a border collie and not just a sheltie mix. I don't see any sheltie in him at all now! He is now very bonded to me and my son already, so I have to be careful that he finds the right home, asap. He doesn't like me to get out of his sight so he is hard to photgraph! But I got some really good head pics today so I will share. Hopefully you can see these: https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.faulconer/media_set?set=a.10152582637884468.1073741831.778509467&type=1 And the attached pic is the only full body shot I got. His butt is not as big as this looks, it is just closer to the camera. :-) I can't wait to hear from you experts! Thanks in advance! Kathleen (Southland Sheltie Rescue Inc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 I can't access Facebook from work, but the full body shot says to me that he could be a border collie or mix. He's on the small side, but if he's still growing, then it's not outside the realm of possibility. Stalking behavior doesn't necessarily imply border collie, and most working dogs would stalk with their tails down (but of course there are always exceptions). From the one photo I can see, I'd probably be inclined to call him a border collie mix (x sheltie?), but it's so hard to tell just from looks, especially with a young dog. Behaviors are a better indicator, but short of putting him on stock and deciding that how he works means he's likely a border collie, your best guess is going to be just that. I wouldn't run screaming if you told me he was a border collie mix anyway. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Beer Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 I looked at the FB pictures and I do see a lot of Border Collie there. But full . . . not sure. If he's not full grown, it might be more apparent when he is. He reminds me a lot of Dean (in my Avatar) and even of Bandit, my Border Collie puppy. I'd go with "likely Border Collie mix". He's adorable and he seems to be quite the charmer!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Thank you for rescuing this pup. I would also agree with Border Collie mix. There is something about the head that suggests a mix, but with BCs having a variety of phenotypes, her could certainly be a purebred. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom of Mya Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Wow what a gorgeous dog. At first look, I almost wondered if he was not a bc/aussie mix..something about the ears was just saying aussie but maybe not. The aussie would also do the herding thing also. I have a cousin who lives in California that mentioned there have been an increase in the number of Aussies out there but I don't know for sure. As for size, I am also still learning daily about bcs but Mya is only 17 inches and 24 pounds at just over 9 months of age, and I have heard of them at all sizes even full grown it seems from 16 to 24 inches tall and 20 to 50 pounds or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erin_ohagan Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 It looks to me like there could be some Australian shepherd in there. Just my $.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98rocket Posted July 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Thanks you guys! I want to say that it doesn't matter if he is a purebred or mix in this case. He will be neutered and not be able to pass on his virtures or his faults. :-) He has a long way to go to be a pet, but he is so determined that I really think he will be a wonderful family companion if not a working dog. Yes, I thought at first that he might be an aussie/sheltie mix, even a mini aussie mix. There is no doubt that he is all herding dog, there is just no traits of any other type of dog in him. But the more I look at him, especially next to my similar size sheltie, I just don't see the heavier bone of the aussies, but more of a long legged, athletic build, and thinner muzzle of the border collie, or even sheltie. I am just really interested in what he might be, as well as really wanting to place him in the right home. Although they are both herding breeds...shelties and BCs are very different dogs! Most people who come to us will expect a sheltie, and he is a sheltie on steroids! ;-D Here are some of the facebook pics that I put up on Photobucket so those that can't get on facebook can see him! http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa362/98Rocket/sam5_zps8f50fe13.jpg http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa362/98Rocket/sam4_zpsdca03929.jpg http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa362/98Rocket/sam3_zps4658f409.jpg http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa362/98Rocket/sam1_zps0a35f93b.jpg http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa362/98Rocket/sam6_zps58172c75.jpg First day vs. today http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa362/98Rocket/sambeforeafter_zps38859d63.jpg Kathleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivia Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 We at east Tennessee border collie rescue have just gotten in 3 sibling border collie/sheltie known mix puppies that resemble this dog very closely in size, structure and face though they are younger. Very sweet pretty pups, as is yours. Good luck finding the perfect forever home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloria Atwater Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 What a cutie!!! My guess is BC mix, possibly BC/Aussie but could be BC/whoknowswhat, but altogether adorable! I'm glad he's safe in your hands, poor little guy. I wish him a wonderful and happy future!~ Gloria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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