Border Collies Or Rough Collies???

[.Little Texas.]

Hi, just this:

I've been thinking(as some may know) about getting a BC puppy in January Next year, and my brother owns a Rough Collie, which is the Collie that has lots of hair, or the "Lassie-dog", and he's suggesting that Harry (what we call him) would do good with one of his own kind...even though a BC is in his heritage somewhere way back. The trouble is, a Rough Collie only has a Medium Trainablity, while the Border Collie has a VERY high trainability, according to NZKC standard. Which one??? I'm seeking to train in herding, agility, obedience, and a bit of police work...like climbing ladders, and stuff like that???

[Appylvr]

Well if your're looking for a dog you want to train and work with then I think a Border Collie would be great for you! I don't think dogs need friends of their own breeds to be happy... It sounds like you would be more happier with a BC.

[weezyNollie]

Any herding dog, collie type is supposed to be easy to train, and EAGER. That is the key word. Intelligence in dogs is often associated with how well they train.. but it's training is all about how loyal and eager the dog is. And it's actually the other way around.. the Border Collie is DERIVED from the Collie. Collie was there first. Hence why it's Collie and Border Collie. My Sheltie is pretty eager to please, despite his training issues. When he goes potty outside, he gets all excited with himself, or if he jumps up on the bed he gets all proud. I think the only difference is size and a bit of a different look.

If you want herding either or would work. Agility, collie's would work.. but are a little large. However, I've seen larger breeds do it. Obedience would be no problem. And then the police work... well I'm not sure either breed would be good for it. They could do the training.. but police rarely use such endearing breeds. BC's and Collie's are not known to be agressive. But can be very protective. However, there's a big difference. My BC is extremely protective of her pack.. but wouldn't hurt a fly. Meaning.. she would never be able to be a police dog. Another thing to consider is how docile border collie's can be. I've met more docile and sweet BC's than I can count!

But the choice is up to you.

[.Little Texas.]

Well, I wasn't actually planning to give my dog to the police as a police dog, just that I wanted to train it as one, and that's mainly just tracking and stuff like that, not agression. The herding/working would be on sheep, not cows...don't want my dog to get hurt or trampled by one of these bulls. The agility would be for the fun of entering shows and training and gaining balance, and having a closer bond with my dog, and the obedience, well, that would be the neccesary thing if I want an obedient dog to listen to me! I don't actually mind the size of the dog, and border collies aren't actually big, are they? Rough collies are a bit bigger. Well, that's mainly it, but thanks for the help and suggestions! Any others out there?

[Miyoko]

Now I know this absolutly by fact. I have one of the best Tri Rough collies in the world. IF you want just a lovable cough potato with lots of energy, loves to run, loves people, great gardian for your back yard, then the Rough Collie is a good choice. And Actually on a one to for on portection and guarding the Rough Collie got a 4. So that is one of my favorites and I would always choose a rough collie over a border Collie.

[.Little Texas.]

Thanks for your reply, Miyoko. I do love Rough Collies, and I love Border Collies!!! This is so difficult!! And also the name for my pup. Whew Im tired!! Just went riding on my little frisky gelding and he and I went for a nice little joy ride....on the sidewalk!!

[lou3]

If you want to do agility then the BC is the dog for you. The rough collie is less agile and therefore less competitive in the agility ring.
Lou

[AussiesCollies]

I have had both a rough collie and a border collie. The rough collie was hyper, but she wasn't excersized like she should have been (she was actually my aunts dog). She was a big teddy bear and i used to ride her like a horse when I was little haha. Now I have a border collie. Boy can she get hyper, but she's overall pretty calm. She's protective, but so was the collie. I definitely think my border collie is more agile than the collie my aunt had. I love them both. I have a soft spot for both. So that is a tough decision, but overall it sounds like the border collie is best for you. Plus they take A LOT LESS grooming that rough collies do. What about a smooth collie?

[circle c]

Just remember. A Border Collie needs mental stimulation as well as physical. People claim the BC is "smarter" but they really aren't. They are just eager to please and have A LOT of energy. If they don't have enough to keep them occupied, then they can be quite "dumb" and cause trouble. When I say occupied I mean mental and physical stimulation and OBEDIENCE.

Collies are wonderful. My mom used to raise them. Our line was more of the show line, and they were very lovable and not hyper at all. They were major couch potatoes also. I reccommend a collie if you just want to play around w/ some herding and obedience and such.

But, if you still think you would like a BC, make sure you get one from a respectable breeder that knows the lines well and has quality pups with quality bloodlines.

The working lines are way more active and unruly than the show lines.

[lou3]

Originally Posted by circle c

The working lines are way more active and unruly than the show lines.

I disagree, if you are breeding a border collie right it shouldnt matter whether it is for the show ring or for working, if the dog doesnt have a high drive and a BIG work instinct then you are breeding the dog away from its original purpose and that is unacceptable in ANY circles. A border collie is not meant to be a couch potato and if you want a couch potato you get a different breed, you dont find someone irresponsibly breeding dogs away from the correct temperament for the breed.
Also the working strains are only unruly if you dont exercise and train them enough because they have the CORRECT temperament for the breed. I have a working strain border collie and if i tell her to do something she does it - immediately, first time of asking because all her life she has worked as an agility dog and been properly trained and stimulated.
Lou