Dog's Name & Age
Bogey just turned 4
In a Word, My Border Collie Is…
SMART
Best Characteristics of the Breed
So easy to train
Most Challenging Characteristics of the Breed
Tends toward obsessive-compulsive behavior
When, Where and How I Got My Border Collie:
Bogey was 11 months old and owned by a military family. I don't think mom was consulted when dad got him. Dad went to Iraq and left mom with a 7 month toddler and 2 month BC.
Bogey spent most of his first year in a muddy pen in the back yard. When dad came back from the war, they put an ad on craigslist. I was the first responder to the ad. I took him - for $150. He came with a leash that he didn't understand, a web collar, a bowl, some treats and his health record.
On the way home I renamed him Bogey from Teddy. (Since I was his second owner, I figured that made him one over par ;-)
I'd Describe My Dog As…
Bogey believes his job is fetch. He doesn't care what he's fetching - I do. No sticks or rocks - he'll drop both at my feet. No coconuts either, or other tree seeds.
He does have his favorites. #1 is Frisbee. #2 is tennis ball. #3 is his football.
He has a basket where we keep his toys (all except the Frisbees and tennis balls - they're mine, not his). He knows the name of each of his 9 toys and will go get the correct one by name. Better than that, he will also put them away on command - either as a collection of whatever is on the floor or each by name.
Bogey's right hip has moderate dysplasia. I give him glucosamine twice a day and a Bufferin just before his dinner. We do some leg-strengthening work every day to help him hold the joint in place.
Bogey will learn a new trick in 2 or 3 five-minute sessions. He's scary-smart - probably smarter than me.
Advice
- Border collies are fun and loyal dogs given you have the time to spend with them.
- They need a daily walk of a couple of miles at a minimum.
- Best is if the walk includes some fun job in the middle of it - say a walk to the dog park where a game of Frisbee is played.
- ALWAYS ensure that you are alpha - who goes first, walk at heel, rules for food and furniture, etc.
- Border collies thrive on structure - give 'em plenty.
- They need a job - actually, many jobs.
- Socialize them early and often to lots of different dogs and lots of different people.
