Meet Mick the Border Collie (picture heavy)

[LostinVA]

We actually got him the day after Thanksgiving, but the digital camera was kaput. He's a just-turned-seven-months-old smooth-coat who is sweet, funny, smart, and often demon-possessed (he is a seven-month-old bc, after all).

We got him from a sheep farmer in PA, whose original owners had him for about six weeks before dumping him at her house. The reason why they abandoned him? He ran around and chewed things. Sounds like ANY breed of puppy, to me! He has an excellent ABCA pedigree, from great working lines. We didn't know this until we went and got him -- we thought we were just rescuing a dog.

We started him on shepherding lessons two weeks ago with a great local trainer. It's unusual for bcs his age to start lessons so early, but he's very keen, and the trainer says he has great natural ability. We're probably get to start the lessons with him in a week or two.


Running around on his tie-out this evening:






With the sheep and trainer yesterday (he's too close to the sheep, but he's just learning) -- that'll do, Mick!





Being demonic with a new Xmas toy:

[SeattleGirl]

1. He's a cutie

The eyes in those last two pictures look like my dog's eyes in many of hers.

[LostinVA]

4. He also has a fat stuffed ram

He's had it for two weeks today... one ear and both horns are already gone, but he sleeps with it.

[flvegan]

2. Uh...how many sheep do you have?

Seriously, cute dog and nice work rescuing him.

Hope he gets along with the pitbull Haruka wanted me to send to you guys after the New Year.

[LostinVA]

5. hehehehehehe... none.... yet

I'm sure he and Killer will get along fine.

[flvegan]

6. If he's learning herding, I could send you 5 or 6 pitties.

He'll keep them in line.

[LostinVA]

8. Oh, I thought you meant to attack the sheep

KIDDING!

One of his friends at the dog park is a pit mix.

[NMDemDist2]

3. BCs are the bestest dogs

as long as they have a 'job' to keep them busy

my Bubba's 'job' is tennis ball

he's relentless but the sweetest boy I've ever had.

Congrats you two, he's a beauty!

[LostinVA]

7. His second, daily job is "soccer ball"

[freethought]

9. I do hope you're ready to keep the dog occupied

As I understand it, Border Collies are the smartest breed of dog there is. So smart that if they are not kept busy, they become easily bored and can develop some troublesome vices. I do know one married couple who acquired one as a house pet. The puppy's intelligence impressed them. When the dog became older, they were nearly driven insane by some of the ways it tried to keep itself entertained.
As one magazine article put it "if not kept busy and occupied a border collie will steel your wallet(with credit cards), your car keys, and given enough time, they'll steel your car too."

[LostinVA]

12. If you read the OP, you'll know the answer

The people you knew never should have had that breed as a pet, if they weren't prepared to take care of it.

[lost-in-nj]

10. How Sweet!!!

HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


How are you two!!!!!????????????


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!
He is adorable!!!



lost

[LostinVA]

14. We've been staying out of trouble

hehehehehe

[femmocrat]

11. He's a great looking dog!

There are quite a few border collies in obedience and agility trials, too. They are fantastic at agility! Their focus on the trainer is like a laser beam!

He's lucky that he found people who understand him and will bring out his natural capabilites. Good luck! :hi:

[LostinVA]

15. Thanks for your compliments to both him and us

We were planning to try him in agility, but then when we saw his pedigree, and saw one of his grandfather's had been the international sheepdog champ, we decided to see how he'd take to the sheep. The trainer thinks he has a chance at a trial career.

[GenDem]

13. How cute!

My neighbor and good friend had a border collie and he became a friend to everyone in the entire neighborhood. He made his rounds and everyone adored him. One of his very strange quirks -- he tried to herd water spraying from a hose. Everything was to be herded up. He died of old age a few years back. It's definitely an active breed, but I can't think of a better dog besides my Schipperkes.
Enjoy your Mick!

[LostinVA]

16. He herds the cat

Or rather, the cat allow3s him to herd him... for a time.

The cat sits under the dining room table and Mick keeps the funny-looking sheep in the "pen" under the table. He walks around and around the table for forever... or until Ginsburg gets bored and leaves.

He just ran into the room with one of my Doc Martens.

There's a reason most people give up their bcs between six and 14 months -- they're evil!!! We love him!!!

[mentalsolstice]

17. BCs are wonderful!

I'm like y'all, I don't understand why puppies are abandoned. Don't people understand that dogs run, chew, emit stinky smells, lick their privates (my lab does, my pug looks at her enviously because she has too many rolls of wrinkles to reach nirvana).

A friend of mine had a BC that herded her cats and chihuahua. When she came home from work, she knew exactly where everyone was.

Enjoy the newest member of your family!

[LostinVA]

18. People need to get an older dog or no dog at all

But, puppies are cute. I cringe at all of the "Christmas Puppy" ads that were around before Xmas. UGH.

Mick is now sleeping in his crate with his stuffed sheep and shank bones. This is ten minutes after he was going bonkers and tearing around the house with Ginsberg the Cat's bed.

The Cat was NOT amused.

[mentalsolstice]

19. Yep, about the cat!

Our cat after 9 years has gone from non-amusement, to being mildly annoyed, to being somewhat entertained.

[LostinVA]

20. Mick also now fights like a cat when he's mad at Ginsy

He used to kinda snap at him, but now, he slaps the Cat with his paw, just like Ginsberg does to him. It's sooo funny. It's like, Mick knows that's how he's supposed to fight with the cat.