Are we losing the REAL Border Collie

[oldshep]

The Border Collie, as we know the breed today, has been bred by shepherds and farmers to provide the ultimate herding dog. There are, of course, variations within the working collie sometimes dependent on areas of work etc.
There is a school of thought that says the Border Collie is losing stamina due to too much riding around on quad bikes etc.
There is also a school of thought that says the breed is becoming dived into (roughly) those fit for purpose and those only fit for walking around a show ring.

Any thoughts?



*sheep(

[oldshep]

So does no one have any thoughts on this?

*sheep(

[sheepdogaddict]

Although I don't think we are in danger of losing the REAL border collie in terms of the ones bred from working lines, the divide is widening between those dogs (be they isds registered or simply farm bred working dogs) and the ones bred for the show ring. It's not just working ability that sets these two groups apart , but looks (coat markings, etc) and conformation. A working collie doesn't need to have a perfect white blaze down the centre of its face to be an effective worker out on the hills as we all know.

The rise in popularity of the quad bike on many farms obviously makes those sheepdogs lives a lot easier, and possibly reduces the number of dogs the farmer needs to have. Working border collies years ago had very hard lives indeed; the stamina issue apart - I wonder if the modern working sheepdog has a longer lifespan than its ancestors?

Delving a bit further, there is another school of thought in sheepdog circles that trialling dogs and working farm dogs are becoming two distinct types. The 'stylish', softer trialling dog that does not upset its sheep and gets them round a trials course and the rougher, pushier farm dog - very effective in getting the job done (usually fast!) but no good for trialling on light trials sheep. Any thoughts on that? runningdog

[oldshep]

This reminds me of a conversation I had a little while back when out with my red and white rough coat and a tri smooth. I got talking to a lady with two rough coated (and in my estimation) rather over weight BCs. She proudly informed me that they were her show dogs and started banging on about the breeding and the show success. I made the comment that I liked the diversity in the breed etc upon which she pointed out to me that my two were not "proper" Border Collies but "Simply sheep dogs." The ensuing conversation was interesting and she went away with more knowledge but probably no more understanding!

Yes I think the quad has made life "easier" for shepherd and dogs and see no harm in it myself.

Farm v trials dog. Umm... I think the idea certainly has some value and at the top end of trialing probably more so, but then, many of those dogs also do a days work. However, I think that there is a possibility that with breeding for trials work being taken seriously there may become a greater distinction but it may not necessarily be a bad thing as the two jobs, whilst containing many of the same elements, also call for individual skills. Will the trials dog be plainer and more loose eyed? if so, how will it cope with a really stubborn sheep in the Trials packet? Should Trials dogs be allowed to grip when, at the judges discretion, it is permissible?


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[roycolliedogs]

It seems that there now three types of Border Collie.
1st is a B/C which is still bred along the lines for herding and moving sheep.
2nd is the B/C used for sporting purposes such Obedience and Flyball etc. They would not know what to do with a sheep if one was in its bed one night.
3rd are breed show dogs which are suitable standing and moving in a controlled was to show that they are quite pretty

Just my opinion.

[oldshep]

Yep, about right and the third type are totally incapable of working and doing anything other than "look pretty" To my mind they are a very unfortunate BC sub-set

*sheep(