Tashia and Jason Lund
PO Box 153
Gilby, ND 58235-0153 www.eclipsebordercollies.com
Home: 701-869-2325
Cell: 701-330-3195
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All content, graphics, and pictures are copyright to Eclipse Border Collies 2002.
Last updated April 24, 2008
Border Collie FAQs
(We are always adding to this page as questions come up)
How do Border Collies do with children?
Do you know any flyball events that go on in our area?
We want a puppy now... why aren't puppies available all the time?
What are they like in the house?
What do all those letters after the dog's name mean?
How do border collies do around kids?
Border Collies are similar to other breeds. As long as the dog and children are well socialized to each other and well supervised when together they all should get along well. BCs sometimes will herd children, but this is mostly a training issue. Children think it is fun to run from them and BCs may not have been socialized to not chase the kids. BCs have a tendency to nip at the heels of children or could become bike, car or rollerblade chasers. They should be supervised with children and should not be left unattended.
Border Collies are very energetic dogs that can make wonderful companions as long as their mental and physical needs are met. Most problems people have with BCs is getting them from high drive (herding) lines and not understanding what they are getting into. They do need an active life such as agility, fetch, jogging, hiking, obedience or flyball. It is always best to meet the dam to see if she is something you like. You may not always get to meet the sire - but most breeders can let you know what he is like.
Do you know any flyball events that go on in our area?
I actually have no idea if there is any flyball in this area. We had a group going a couple of years ago, but never got as far as competitions. I know there are flyball events in the St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN.
We want a puppy now... why aren't puppies available all the time?
Most breeders only breed a certain number of litters per year or for the life of the bitch. We only plan on breeding our females once and than we spay them. We would rather breed quality versus quantity. Our dogs are a part of our family and when we breed we are looking to replace our breeding female and add to our family. Our dogs also actively compete and most venues (agility, rally obedience and obedience) will not let a bitch in heat compete.
Border Collies have been bred to work long hours and partner with their Shepherd. Taking that into consideration one must remember these dogs are smart and need to be kept busy. Taking a Border Collie on a leash walk won't be enough. They need active exercise such as frisbee, fetch, hiking, agility, or herding. Along with active exercise the breed needs mental exercise such as obedience, tracking, herding, or agility. When an owner meets their active and mental exercise requirements the Border Collie can make a wonderful addition to a family.
What are they like in the house?
Border Collies can be great in the house as long as the household remembers to meet the mental and physical exercise requirements. The dog can be taught to settle and with plenty of toys can make a wonderful house companion. They do shed like like other breeds and people. But that just takes a brushing to bring down and a vacuum.
Border Collies are highly trainable. They can be found in many different areas of competition and life. They have been used as service dogs, search and rescue, herding, agility, rally obedience, and obedience to name a few. They pick up on concepts quickly and easily. They don't need harsh methods of training to get the concept. But on the other hand, their trainability can make them a challenge. They will find stuff to do and that could be dangerous or just plain bizarre. Some of our dogs love to shred paper for fun if they are bored:) Another one of ours loves water and knows where all faucets are in house:) But a dangerous game one of our rescues had was car chasing. So keep in mind the Border Collie is very biddable and fun to train, but can get bored easily and can find things to do that may be dangerous to them or others.
What do all those letters after the dog's name mean?
There are multiple organizations where one can compete with their dog. Some of them are American Kennel Club (AKC), North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC), American Herding Breed Association (AHBA), and United Kennel Club (UKC). Some organizations will let All Americans compete, while others are restricted to pure bred dogs registered with them. We work towards herding, agility, rally obedience, and obedience titles in multiple organizations. Here is a link towards the ones we have earned: Title Abbreviations.
Border Collies can be registered with multiple organizations. But a buyer must remember registration doesn't mean quality. One still has to take into consideration what the breeder does with their dogs. Always look for health checks (hips, eyes (yearly eye cerf at least and better would be the DNA CEA/CH test and yearly eye cerf), and elbows would be good. Plus dogs that are out competing in what the breeder wants to do, such as herding at least plus other sports would be good. The Border Collie can be registered with the American Border Collie Association (ABCA), Canadian Border Collie Association (CBCA), American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), and the International Sheepdog Society (ISDS). Look for a breeder active in their breed.