Scout is a Border Collie we were given four
years ago. He is a beautiful tri-colored dog that is full of
energy. The first two years we had him he hardly stopped running.
His family hated to give him up but they had
moved from their home with two acres to a house with a very small
yard. Scout was going crazy, and driving the neighbors crazy as
well.
He loves our large yard and can run the 100+
foot distance from one side to the other in two seconds flat. He
is beautiful to watch as he seems to hardly touch the ground.
Scout, like most Border Collies, gets along
great with everyone and is never a problem with other dogs. He is
also gentle with all the animals we have: cats, chickens, rabbit,
guinea pigs and pet birds.
For four years he has been a wonderful
companion and excellent pet. Now at six years old he is calming
down and enjoys laying around the house for most of the day. He is
very content as long as he is with one of us.
Border Collies are amazing dogs. Besides
being used to herd sheep they have been used as war dogs, sled
dogs, therapy and assistance dogs, in competitive sports, as
search and rescue dogs, as hunting dogs and, always, as
companions.
They come in various colors: black and
white, tri-color, blue merle, red and white, liver, red merle,
yellow, or white with small amounts of black, brown or red. They
can weight anywhere from 25 pounds to 65 pounds.
Since Border Collies are so highly motivated
to work many are enjoying the growing sport of Agility. This sport
enhances the relationship between dog and handler and creates a
confident, bold and motivated dog.
Border Collies also excel in Fly Ball and
Frisbee competitions. In northern climates they make up sled-dog
teams that are competitive in middle-distance races.
Like all Border Collies, Scout sheds during
the spring and summer months. Ones with thick fur, like Scout,
develop thick undercoats in winter which must be combed out at the
beginning of summer.
Be careful in the hot summer months. Heat
exhaustion is a killer. A typical Border Collie doesn’t slow down
in the summer so provide him with a little pool to cool off in
when he is outside.
Even though Scout has the choice to be
inside or out, if anyone is in the backyard he is out there with
them, running and barking for the fun of it. He loves being able
to jump into his little pool and splash around for a few seconds
before he takes off on another run around the yard.
Scout is a great dog and we are very
fortunate to have been given this beautiful and bright creature.
But they are not for everyone.
Before you acquire a Border Collie puppy or
adult make sure you have the space for them to run and that you
want to spend two years training and thirteen more enjoying his
high energy.
If you are interested in adopting a Border
Collie consider fostering one from a rescue. You’ll learn if a
Border Collie is for you, save a life, and maybe even end up
adopting your foster dog.
Copyright 2006 Carol Stack
