Post by nina on Jul 19, 2024 12:26:09 GMT -5
Quite a few breeds seem to be losing their edge from over breeding without regard to function. I'm currently dogless and am thinking of getting a border collie but am hesitant as they've become popular with the nonfarm crowd that breed regardless to quality. I'd like to hear from people with purebred dogs, as I know crosses can be great but no guarantees. Thirty five years ago +_ I got a border collie one generation out of Scotland. Alex was the perfect dog. Quiet and well behaved in the house, outside he knew our parameter and guarded it vigilantly. With no direction he would never stand right next to you outside, he would be on the parameter wanting to move critters toward you but would immediately come back every single time you called, even 100 times in a row. He was extremely biddable but not cowering. Fast forward to about 5 years ago. My daughter got a border collie. Ruby is rangy, sweet, fast and brave, but cows ignore her and won't move. I'm not sure why, but I didn't want her to get hurt by a cow so she is just a house dog now. She like Alex is very bright and biddable. One time a loose chicken ran under a big metal piece roofing from a storm damaged barn that I needed back in the coop. There was barely space for Ruby to commando crawl under the roof and had to go ten feet in to get the hen. Somehow I communicated what I wanted and Ruby got the chicken and brought her back soft mouth retriever style.
Occasionally there are English Shepards for sale, more commonly border collies, always Great Pyrenees. As to Great Pyrenees, my neighborhood was terrorized by one. That dog killed a flock of chickens, a big flock of sheep, ran my cows, one rolled down a steep hill and later died. That dog also attacked neighbor with his old Briard. That dog had to have lots of stitches. That family moved. One time when I sitting on the ground comforting my cat, the dog had just chased, he came back creeping behind my back. I'm convinced if the cat didn't start growling I would of been in serious trouble. Eventually, someone must of SSS as he disappeared for good. I truly wonder about Great Pyreness temperaments ? They are by far the most popular farm dog in my area.
I'd love to get another dog like Alex. Any personal breed recommendations?
Occasionally there are English Shepards for sale, more commonly border collies, always Great Pyrenees. As to Great Pyrenees, my neighborhood was terrorized by one. That dog killed a flock of chickens, a big flock of sheep, ran my cows, one rolled down a steep hill and later died. That dog also attacked neighbor with his old Briard. That dog had to have lots of stitches. That family moved. One time when I sitting on the ground comforting my cat, the dog had just chased, he came back creeping behind my back. I'm convinced if the cat didn't start growling I would of been in serious trouble. Eventually, someone must of SSS as he disappeared for good. I truly wonder about Great Pyreness temperaments ? They are by far the most popular farm dog in my area.
I'd love to get another dog like Alex. Any personal breed recommendations?