Why there are so many border collies at animal shelters

[nolabear]

28. I've never known a happy intensely herding breed in a suburban home.

I've had several friends (one couple in particular) who have had various intense herders, i.e. border collies, aussies, and something they have now whose name escapes me but is like a border collie the size of a German Shepherd. I've seen pretty happy collies and corgis and so forth but these guys are constantly wanting something to do. It's hard to be around, and though they're sweet as can be, that nip or constant darting in front of you or wanting to fetchtheballfetchtheballfetchtheball without ever letting up is miserable.

I always think people see the word "dog" and don't pay attention to the breed. They're as different as night and day.

That said, I'm also an advocate for very, very, VERY selective breeding so those tendencies, whatever they may be, are there in a calm and adaptive manner. A nervous or aggressive or unstable dog is a nightmare. I had an Airedale once that, had she been a person, poor thing, would have been declared insane. I kept her but it was so bad there were ties when she didn't recognize even the family for a moment and would freak out. She was dangerous. We had to be very. very careful and she didn't get to have a life as a full member of the family. Poor Gracie. RIP.