when I bought my BC the ACD was on my short list of dogs at the time but the short hair is more suited to Oz than our climate and since both breeds need lots of excerise the double coated BC was the better choice for our winter weather...I shave him in the summer months and he's often mistaken for a greyhound...
This is our second and we learned a ton from the first guy. Our stairs and floors are okay, but he does like to do laps all over the house, running at full speed. He has the temperament of an insane adoring child, a lover boy with energy and "quirks". They are odd creatures, unlike any other dog. I would never get another breed, life would be far too dull.
apt description they are very much like a child...the bond they develop with the family is very tight... yup, I've lost track of the number of breeds my family has gone through but after owning BC I don't think I could own any other type now...any other breed would seem mentally handicapped in comparison...
I have the kind of pet that I have to feed. Not exactly have to but ought.For if I ought not than I'll have hell to pay and from I'm told hell no longer accepts green stamps.
I have a dangerously intelligent beagle and a dumb rottie/bab mix who follows the beagle around everywhere. They are live canine versions of Pinky and the Brain.
here is a story for you One day a stray dog came around the dairy and drank milk from our dogs bowl. Dad picked up the broom to shoo him away. He saw the broom and took off like a rocket. He never returned for days, then slowly, gingerly he crept back. I this time just picked up the broom and he took off. We came to figure that dog had been so abused it was an instinct in him to fear it. Anyway a few weeks past and Dad gave in to my endless bleating and let me feed the dog. About 2 months after the dog appeared, my sister who was about 4 at the time, raced over to the dairy one day unbeknownst to Dad. Figuring that he lets the cows go after milking she went to the bottom gate and opened it. The hinges were a little dodgy and the gate fell across her tiny body pinning her to the ground across the narrow entrance with over 100 hungry cows on one side, and a paddock where their nights feed had been previously deposited on the other. The cattle became restless, sniffing and snorting and milling around the gate. Those at the rear were getting restless moving the mass of cattle towards the opening. Now like a Rin Tin Tin or Lassie movie this mangy old half starved flee bitten dog jumped out into the opening and stood there for what must have been 20 minutes keeping those cattle from stampeding across the prostrate body of my little sister. My father kept that dog in luxury for the rest of its days, it lived another 15 years, 15 years of care, loving, running, fetching balls, chasing cows and cars. It was a dogs life, but to the day he died, that old Border Collie was terrified of the broom. I went on to breed Border Collies and yes they are intelligent, but on equal to the is a distant cousin, one that went to the antiquities and found a mate and a home. Bluey, The Australian Cattle Dog Now if this vid aint something [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEXWvfdKxYo&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEXWvfdKxYo&feature=related[/ame]
I had a cat that was 15- to 17-years-old. I had to put her down a week ago because she was miserable. I had her thyroid removed and the vet neglected to tell me that pretty much does their kidneys in. Her eyes started to sink in and she started peeing all over the house. RIP Buddha... *Disclaimer: water was in the drinking glass...not actual vodka
I've read ferrets are illegal in California, and specifically there. Why? They are not even wild animals? What is so unique about California that would see such a ban?
Thanks, man. It was hard and I kept putting it off. I should have done it a month ago. I had to pay $400 for shots to clear up an "infection" every month. That clearly did not help because she still peed outside of the box (most of the time right outside and sometimes she just let it go wherever she was sitting). Throughout the years I had her, she would always cry out with some weird howl thing at night when I went to bed, but she started doing that morning, day, and night for multiple days in a row. She also started laying under our kitchen table instead of with us and that is usually a sign they are not well. She would never not be in a room with me.
Marcus, our Vizsla...smart, funny, needy, beautiful dog. I'm trying to figure out how to post a pic of him...
..and who can blame her, what with your scintillating personality, charm and rugged good looks I'm not a big "pets" guy. I had a dog, but that's been a while; I don't even do the plants thing very well. Good thing I'm not a parent I suppose.
Sarcasm up until my rugged good looks. That is undeniable. I like having pets. I do not think I would get another one though. I would get a dog, but my fiancé and I do not have the time for one. Cats are nice, but I hear most have a problem peeing in the house and I cannot afford that. I love taking care of plants here. No care required. Give them sun and water once a month and they are fine.
No I meant ask him how to post the picture (Hint, if it's on your pc use the little paper clip to ATTACH it)
LOL...well, he's not here at the moment. Sorry, I misunderstood. I've been trying to use the paper clip attachment thing. Not my cup of tea, obviously. http://www.politicalforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7142&stc=1&d=1319057170 There he is!
I don't doubt your story at all, nothing people tell me about their BC's smarts is surprising anymore...the record for recognizing words is held by a BC, about 1000 words...I stopped counting my dogs word recognition when I reached 100, it's much higher and I don't put any effort into teaching him any...he doesn't like playing fetch much, I thinked he gets annoyed when I throw away the ball everytime he returns it so after about five tosses he won't give me the ball back ...
Hey, you're not the only one. I just learned a few days ago. (thanks again for the thread TTLD, and everyone who gave answers) Good looking dog BTW.
