[mlizzy]

Our border collie mix (seems likely her other half is German shepherd) spent her first year of life as the Chick Evans dorm dog at the University of Illinois. Much like Professor Howell, however, she was not asked to return in the fall, so after we cared for her on her summer vacation (and although things were a little hairy for a while), she is now a much beloved pet in our clan ...

"Although I'm no longer a dorm dog, I was able to go back to UIllinois (for my master's graduation last May) and sleep in his dorm room over the weekend and tear up and down the hallways. Ahhh, the good ol' days, but I like my new pad as well (they finally figured out I need to do "puzzles" everyday to keep me from chewing them out of house and hot dog) ..." --Addy, aka dorm dog.

[weezel]

They go crazy if you dont give them something to do. I’ve seen them before just spinning round and round for no apparent reason.

[traderrob6]

Border Collies are usually very bright.

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

[Aria]

I had a border collie and now a standard poodle - the poodle is a better house dog and quite smart, almost like having a person here, and clean, doesn’t shed at all or smell much. But I suspect the border collie was actually smarter - which is saying a lot.

[KeyLargo]

I could not agree more.

Our female Border / Lab mix is the smartest dog we have ever had. She is 15 years-old and still going like the energizer bunny! She loves to watch "Animal Planet" on TV.

[ladyvet]

I have had two Border Collies over the past 17 years. They are great dogs BUT you had better have the time to exercise them daily. I'm not talking about a 15 minute walk either. They need to work and play hard. If not they can get weird and destructive. They do best when they have a job.

[Joe 6-pack]

In a dog nation, Border Collies would make great cabinet secretaries and advisers, but a German Shepherd would make the best president.

[barbarianbabs]

I own three Boxers...but their best friend is a Border Collie. The Border Collie is smarter than all three Boxers put together! She will outsmart them everytime.
My Boxers are too full of dopey LOVE to object!

[JoeProBono]

[Desdemona]

You never met my late lab. Smartest, sweetest dog ever and could flush vermin REALLY fast.

That being said, all breeds have their pluses and minuses. The Havaneses that rule the house are smart and run herding circles and don't shed (do require shaving down at least twice a year), but they also are LOUD watch dogs and one of them is downright impertinent. Love them anyway.

[annie laurie]

See some border collies at work here ... in a very unique way :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdUspvkKOmw

Be sure to have the sound on :)

Originally from the telegraph.co.uk website.

[gorush]

I'm a little partial to Corgis...For some shots of Dagny, go here... http://picasaweb.google.com/jimro1951/Dagny#

[DManA]

I follow my mutt around and pick up his poop. An objective observer would say muttsky is the smarter of the two.

[rintense]

Its true. They are the smartest dogs out there. I foster Border Collies and they are indeed not for the novice owner. Like any herding breed, they need a job to do or they will become destructive.

I have two Belgian Sheepdogs (see profile page) and while they are also incredibly smart, high drive herding dogs, they aren't close to the Border Collie in terms of intelligence. But, mine are both K9 athletes just like the BCs, and my boy has already beat other BCs in flyball (he's blazing fast).

LIke BCs, mine are a constant project as I find new ways for them to work and learn. They LOVE to learn, whether its a new sport, trick, etc. Again, these high drive herding breeds are not for the faint at heart. Many BCs end up in rescues/shelters because people buy them for the cute/smart factor, and fail to realize the training that's involved.

The BC that's featured in the video is a called a Blue. They're pretty rare, actually. The standard BC is usually black and white- and its the only coat variation recognized by the AKC, which is a shame because there are some beautiful coat variations out there. One of the BC on our flyball team is a black/blue merle with the most intense ice blue eyes I've ever seen. And talk about 'the eye'. When I first met her, I swear I peed just a little. She is the sweetest thing, though. Her sister is a black/white with blue eyes, and is the epitome of smart. She's beyond onyx level in flyball but got to the point where it was no longer a challenge to her so she started inventing her own game. She had a year off from flyball until I started running her. Although she's had a few 'my own game' moments, she has excelled in races once again and is always a crowd favorite for her intensity. She's incredibly happy doing the 'work' she enjoys most.

BTW, anyone in the Midwest who is interested in adopting a rescue BC, there's a beautiful Blue BC boy who needs a forever home. FReepmail me for details.

[scripter]

Ping

[magellan]

I had an Australian red border collie for 12 years. It may have been a mix, but I kind of doubt it. I had planned to get him DNA tested to find out if he was a pure breed, but he died before I could.

He was highest energy dog I have ever known, with the most obvious natural herding instinct. They can be destructive as puppies, with sharp teeth, and a lot of nervous energy.

They are definitely not good around small children, but mine was the most loving dog me or any of my friends and family had ever known.

[Clintonfatigued]

Pets ping

[Melian]

They are great dogs but I am partial to Cairn Terriers. Ours is smart as a whip, intensely devoted, friendly, cheerful, and this big dog in a little body breed has no major health issues. He’s a great little hunter. I can pick him up and carry him as needed and he fits in the sink when I bathe him. His food is cheaper, his “dooty” is smaller, and he’s easier to groom.

[divine_moment_of_facts]

I'm still crying..

[Fred Hayek]

A few days ago a 2 1/2 y.o. border collie/lab/aussie shepherd mix tried to adopt me. I figured good dog for trail running, but I’m on the road a lot on business, and it would not be a good dog to leave home alone. Plus I have no yard.

[SkyDancer]

My Roxie

>yawn< I'm up too late ....