The first of our Main Line of dogs and the inspiration for MBCC
The Border Collie was originally called A Working Sheepdog and was known as the shepherds companion. Border Collie is now the breed’s recognised title but you will still find that the International Sheep Dog Society’s registration cards read ‘this is to certify that The Working Sheepdog (Border Collie)is registered etc’. The Kennel Club’s classification of a Working Sheepdog can be a cross breed, i.e. a dog that looks like a collie but has no formal registration to prove its breeding. This often leads to some confusion and you will find more about it on our Breeding and Stud page. To shepherds and the majority of collie owners the title means a dog that works sheep and any dog with those capabilities will usually carry good breeding.
There are many misconceptions about this wonderful breed and many are born of a lack of knowledge and of ill informed information. There are many books and websites pouring out such information and causing confusion for both present and potential owners.
Farmers and shepherds did not breed purely for work ability and with little regard for temperament.
I was told many years ago when I was looking for a potential stud dog to find out what it had been like when it was younger, how difficult or had it been to train and to make sure it had the right temperament. What many people don’t realise when they give out this misrepresentation is that a good sheepdog must be able to handle the most truculent ewe and be able to switch in a second to a kind gentle mentor when moving new born lambs. It must be able to judge each flock or individual sheep and handle them or it accordingly, and it is of little use if it constantly wants to use its teeth.
Also we must use common sense when we hear such derogatory remarks, for the breed that we have today was bred by those same people who are being accused of not breeding for temperament, and those shepherds were the ones who kept breeding on good lines. If we have a problem in temperament today then we must look to modern and commercialised breeding for the root of the problem not to the ones who spent a century giving us strong gentle dogs.
So one myth expelled, the shepherds who bred these dogs originally did breed for good temperament. This isn’t to say they didn’t have throwbacks but those dogs didn’t go into the gene pool.
Border Collies do make good companions. I am tired of hearing rescue establishments say they don’t make good companions, and if their argument is that the more people they put off having a collie the less there will be in pet homes then what on earth are we going to do with them all. The supply by far exceeds the demand. To state that they should all be on working homes is fine but we don’t have enough shepherds or sheep in this country to provide them all with working homes. So let’s get real. They do not thrive on being kept shut in a house with no exercise, they do not enjoy being cooped up with no exercise, they don’t like being pulled and nipped by children, they don’t like being shouted at, but what dog does enjoy any of those things? Contrary to common belief collies are very sensitive, yes even the bolshy ones. The quieter and calmer these dogs are handled the better they respond. No, they don’t want to be at the top of a high rise flat but neither is the answer to buy an acre of land and let them run wild on it. They need parenting, they need to be loved, they need to belong and they need both mental and physical boundaries.
They don’t have to be doing agility or any other of the disciplines. Collies were around long before these events were ever thought of and they survived. In fact if not handled correctly some of the disciplines can really wind them up.
They do need a sensible low energy diet, they do need teaching how to walk on a lead and they do need a pack leader – not a dominant aggressive one, but one who understands them and their needs.
They don’t need hours of walking every day, they just need a sensible walk, some quiet and constructive mental stimulation and a quiet to themselves where they can rest and actually enjoy their own company. Dogs are perfectly capable of being content and quiet if we allow them to be.
There are far too many collies in rescue and, sadly, many of them are young dogs who have been taken in to rescue because their owners can’t cope with them. This is not the fault of the breed and in many cases nor is it the fault of the owner, but a mixture of poor advice and training techniques that wind collies up rather than teach them patience.
My own line of dogs come from a very strong working strain, their ancestry dates back to the beginning of the stud book. They are bred to work, and they love it, they also accompany me on seminars and they work with children. Some of them live in the house and when away from home they will not disgrace themselves if they spend the night in a hotel. Meg, the start of my line, shepherded over a thousand sheep, we competed in nine National and one International Trial and she slept on my bed! Her progeny has in the past competed and succeeded in other disciplines and they are also in companion homes. Bred from strong working lines they have all the qualities needed to adapt to any situation and that includes working or simply being part of a family.
Good breeding is essential and I would urge anyone looking for a puppy not to be swayed by countless accolades, they mean nothing if the dog hasn’t been bred compatibly, you need to see parents, grandparents and any other sons and daughters. I would also recommend buying from someone who is breeding for a puppy for themselves rather than one of the many commercial breeders.
Before deciding on having a Border Collie you need to ask one question, “How much of myself am I prepared to give.” Border Collies are very intelligent and sensitive, being a part of your life for a game with a ball, a half hour walk or a weekly training session isn’t enough, they need to be part of your life and they need a leader who is strong, quiet, gentle and understanding. The dogs know what they need the rest is up to us.
A Simple Beauty The Border Collie is the epitome of all we may ever desire in a dog, a friend and a partner. Honesty, integrity and loyalty are second nature to a collie and they will work until they can go no further. Yet for all their willingness to give they are not submissive, they are proud of their heritage and they do not suffer fools gladly. Look beyond the colour of the coat and the cloak they wear labelled ‘dog’, search inside and reach its soul for once there you will be trapped in a world of unbelievable love and honesty. You will have found true beauty, for the wonderful qualities within this breed are always there waiting to be unlocked and are what make it truly beautiful. Drink in its grace, speed and stamina, for rarely has so much to come together so perfectly in so small a package.
Loch, a very strong working dog, gentle and kind with a wonderful temperament.
Mainline Megan, Loch’s daughter, eyeing her sheep and keen to go, happy to work and equally happy to meet people at seminars. Gentle, fun-loving and kind.
Mainline Skye, a dog gives love unconditionally.
Photo’s taken by family friend and professional photographer Ian Hughes.
Mainline Border Collie Centre
This site and all its contents are copyright to Mainline Border Collie Centre 2004
