Barbara Sykes - Understanding Border Collies

Barbara Sykes

First published in 1999 by The Crowood Press Ltd, Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 2HR

www.crowood.com

This e-book edition first published in 2012

Barbara Sykes 1999

All rights reserved. This e-book is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the authors and publishers rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

ISBN 978 1 84797 402 0

Dedication
This book is dedicated to all the great Sheepdogs of the past, for they are the ancestors of the present day Border Collies, who in turn are the foundation dogs of the future. We owe it to them to make sure their intelligence, loyalty and stamina lives on for future generations to enjoy.

Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Malcolm and Maureen for their photographic skills and their patience. Without their help the cover and many of the photographs in this book would not have been possible. I would also like to thank Caroline for her time in reproducing my mental pictures so well in her graphics, and Pat Borrows whose poetry can bring a collie to life. I am most grateful to Gilbertson and Page who provided invaluable nutritional support. And last but by no means least I must thank my son and daughter, Gary and Vicki, whose support over the years has given me the courage to stand up for my beliefs.

Photographs supplied by Malcolm and Maureen Merone, Trevor Robinson, Betty Duggan, and the author.

Graphics Caroline Simpson

Hes only your pet Collie, romping on a sunlit lawn,

Or sleeping on the rug before the fire.

Though his role in life is just to be friend beyond compare,

Hes a servant more than worthy of his hire.

For if his fate should call him to a dozen different tasks,

He could do each one incomparably well;

Adapting to each changed demand, intelligent and keen,

In all things he is destined to excel.

You might see him in Obedience and watch him winning Crufts,

Or in Working Trials, achieving T.D.ex,

Or racing through Agility, (and he could be a bitch,

For competence does not depend on sex!)

You could mark his patient searching in a devastated town,

Through the ruins that an earthquake leaves behind.

Or proud in his white harness, see him walk the city streets,

A rare, but special Guide Dog for the Blind.

He may never even glimpse the sheep that he was bred to herd,

(As Mountain Rescue Dog he would ignore them!)

But all true collies listen to the voices in their blood

Of ancestors who proudly went before them.

He is able to diversify because of what he is,

From his long history derives his worth.

Guide, searcher, champion, yes! But first of all

The best and wisest herding dog on earth.

So understand him if one day an ancient memory stirs,

And he casts out round a most indignant cat!

And does his level best to bring her in to you, because

His long dead forebears told him to do that.

There are those who would attempt to breed his herding instinct out,

Dismissing it as something they dont need.

If they dont want the working genes that make him what he is

Theyd do well to find themselves another breed.

Though hes only your pet Collie, fast asleep before the fire,

Or playing with the children on the lawn;

Still Man has no right to silence those voices in his blood,

That remind him of the reason he was born.

Pat Borrows

The Border Collie is a versatile and popular breed, and is capable of adapting to many different lifestyles. This book is not about training for one of the many disciplines, nor is it intended to teach one persons method of training just as different dogs need handling in different ways, so handlers need to develop their own style. This individual style rests primarily on the person involved, but must also include the ability to adapt to their dogs requirements. The Border Collie is a herding dog a sheepdog and this must always be taken into account when training. If the intention of a trainer is to ignore or squash these instincts, he is not only depriving the collie of its natural instincts but is subduing it, which will make it submissive rather than biddable.

This book gives an insight into the mind of the Border Collie and how it thinks; the pack instincts are explained in detail and in some cases have been simplified for ease of understanding. Training is not complicated and it is fun if you are working with your dog rather than against it. Whether you are bringing up a puppy or training an older dog, the common sense training methods in this book apply to both they provide a foundation for more advanced training, enabling the reader to continue into any of the disciplines with a sensible, well-educated dog.

You may be a keen competitor or an energetic walker, you may be a sheepdog handler or a first-time dog owner, you may need your dog to work or to be solely a companion. Whatever your intentions , if you love this breed of dog you will be fascinated as you find out not only more about them, but also how to understand them when you take a look inside their minds through the pages of this book.

CHAPTER 1