Border Collie

I've known a couple Border collies before, and let me tell you, that are ACTIVE! You have to keep them busy during the day or they get bored and destructive. Walks, tossing a ball around, etc. is a great thing for them.

Also, I have seen some of them as working dogs (there is a guy here on campus at my college who has one that's a seizure-alert dog, it carries a med kit in a saddle-bag apparatus on it's back) as well. They love to have a job to do every day.

The lead of our fursuit parade owns a border collie. He's a fantastic dog, however...there are some things you need to know about that breed.

1. They need something to do ALL the time. Once the dog was left alone for the day. He couldn't find anything to play with, so he chewed into a water hose that was feeding a bidet in the bathroom. The bathroom and bedroom were pretty well flooded when the owner returned...and the dog was sitting on top of the toilet as the only dry island he could easily reach. The dog had a penchant for chewing any black cables that were left on the floor. Thus some very expensive networking cables were pretty destroyed.

2. They require LOTS of exercize. Border collies are working dogs. The were bred to herd things. So they want to run all the time. You need to be able to let the dog out and have space for it to run around.

3. They are VERY smart. They love to play fetch, tug of war, catch frisbees and all manner of things. They are also very focused animals. When Bandit is playing fetch, he will return the toy to you and want you to throw it for HOURS. He puts it in your lap, on your feet, or will do whatever it takes to get you to throw the toy again..until HE'S tired of playing.

4. Border collies can start herding anything that moves quickly. It's an instinct and you can't really train it out of them. So if someone or something starts running around a border collie, it may very well try to herd it. This can include cars. You can guess where that can lead.

I'll add another to the open-space argument. They need it. Fortunately, they learn very well, and an electric fence with proper training will keep them trapped in your yard easily.

They learn things fast. I've found that it takes up to two weeks to teach one a trick, even without treats. They're happy to work for love. And the more tricks you teach them, the less of your things they chew.

Great family dogs, highly trainable, fairly low maintenance.

You! VegaGuy! I LOVE!!!!! Collies! Be ma friend!

You ought to ask the FPS guys how they raise Bandit.

Of the things that you can give your non-human family member, the most important things are:

1. Food
2. Water
3. Love