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To: nina0113
What kind of collie? Border, Rough, Smooth, Bearded? I would think that your typical obsessive-compulsive workaholic Border collie and cats would be an . . . interesting combination (I have this mental picture of all the cats herded into a corner and under strict guard). We know a lot of Border collies because my older dog spent her formative years in Agility, and they can be kinda manic. VERY smart, but they have to have a job to do or they get stir-crazy.

The Rough collies (the 'Lassie' dogs) are calmer, but any young collie might tend to agitate the cats -- since they all have herding and nipping tendencies. An older, calmer dog would probably be better for the kitties than getting a puppy. Just about all puppies are more active, curious, and mouthy than a grown dog of the same breed. And then of course you wouldn't have to go through housebreaking!

You might get somebody to loan you an older collie (who knows the command "leave it!") Or you could go to a Collie Rescue organization and ask for one that is cat safe. They might even bring one to your house and let you see how the cats react. Our rescue people here locally are very flexible and work hard to find homes for their dogs. They foster out their dogs before they place them and have a good idea of their temperament and habits.

180 posted on 07/09/2009 5:46:10 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of ye Chasse, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: AnAmericanMother
Rough, definitely. I used to prefer tricolors, but I've shifted to sable. I grew up on the Terhune books, and the Fresh Air Fund actually managed to get some money out of me because I remembered that Terhune gave generously to that particular cause.

I know better than to get a border collie - an unemployed work dog is a dog that WILL get into trouble. Probably destructive trouble. Donald McCaig wrote a couple of books about his border collies up on the Blue Ridge, and at least one of the books had a warning about not getting one. I actually did already know that.

Our nearest collie rescue is about 50 miles away, so that's inconvenient, but not impossible.

My Maine Coon cat herded a bunch of escaped banty chicks back from the road once when I lived on the Eastern Shore. Didn't try to snack on even one, and he was a fierce hunter.

185 posted on 07/09/2009 5:55:46 AM PDT by nina0113
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