Border Collie: The smartest breed on the planet? [video]

Comcast/Xfinity ^ | 7-18-10 | Animal Planet

[mlizzy]

Border Collies are considered by many to be one of the most intelligent and trainable dog breeds. Though they are wonderful companions, they require a lot of exercise and training.

[mylife]

My Mom ran hers in agility trials

[divine_moment_of_facts]

I’ve been scouring the Border Collie Rescue ads online.. Breaks my heart how many are up for adoption. Even though I’d love nothing more than to move out of this townhouse condo, I don’t know if I can make that happen any time soon. For now I’m checking into the senior doggies available. Big old Ben used to Love his long walks everyday.. So, even if I can’t give a dog a huge yard right now.. I can walk the old fellows.

[rbosque]

Border Collies are used as sheep dogs in Scotland. I lived there for four years and was amazed at how they helped the shepherds control their flocks.

[SantosLHalper]

I read a great book on gardening and the woman who wrote it (can't remember her name!) was nuts about corgis.....

Tasha Tudor

[mlizzy]

My Mom ran hers in agility trials

I can see where border collies would do very well with agility. We sometimes will bring our mix to the neighborhood park (very early before anyone is walking about) and let play on the expansive equipment. She goes down the smaller slides, and tries like heck to go up the bigger ones, she crosses the bridges that wobble about and hops up and down from the equipment in general with ease ... she never wants to leave ...

[mlizzy]

Thank you very much! I had drawn a complete blank in this regard. Here's one of her books that years ago I kept checking out of the library over and over again ... Tasha Tudor's Garden.

[divine_moment_of_facts]

Tearing up just looking at others sweet departed doggies.

[mlizzy]

So, even if I can’t give a dog a huge yard right now.. I can walk the old fellows.

*smiling* ... great idea!!

[divine_moment_of_facts]

Heya Sky! How have ya been? Your Roxie is so beautiful.

[mylife]

Yup. They were made to run trials.

[rintense]

The only job they need is to be with their people.

I'm sorry but that's too simplistic for a breed this complex.

[dljordan]

“My wife chastises me every time I say it but our last two Goldens haven’t been the sharpest knives in the drawer”

I had a big, sweet, dumb-as-a-rock Golden. My Weimaraner-Labrador mix had to tell him what to do all the time.

[divine_moment_of_facts]

Great song! The comparisons are so true.

[Chuckster]

Living on a boat and planning to continue cruising for the next few years, we have only a cat. I miss having dogs.

But, once we are done with the sea and bury the anchor under the big maple tree in the east pasture, we are looking forward to a pack of farm dogs (And a pride of barn cats). Goats and horses are also in the plan. with forty acres of woods and pasture to run and livestock to herd, the dogs will be well occupied and we will have time to work and play with them.

It always amazes me that some people keep large dogs in apartments and even on boats. It seems cruel to me.

[mlizzy]

But, once we are done with the sea and bury the anchor under the big maple tree in the east pasture, we are looking forward to a pack of farm dogs (And a pride of barn cats).

Wait! Are you describing your property or heaven? :)

[divine_moment_of_facts]

True.. Unfortunately, some people who had a home and a fenced in yard when they got their dog find themselves divorced and in an apartment years later. If they got their dog from a shelter the last thing they want to do is bring him back to a shelter.
Its not the most ideal situation and it's not something to purposely set out to do, but it can work out fine.. especially with older dogs.

BTW.. Do you have a single brother? ;)

[divine_moment_of_facts]

Wait! Are you describing your property or heaven? :)

I know, right?!

[DollyCali]

that sounds like a wonderful set of plans...

[murphE]

I wish I had the energy for a Border Collie. They are smart and beautiful.

[gorush]

Our old guy passed a couple of years back, he was also 16, a very old age for big dogs. We still miss him:

More dogs is the only successful treatment for such grief. (although it can be overdone.)