| OTHER PAGES: |
|
 |
COMING SOON
Featured
Rescue |
|
 |
Rescue Group
Contacts eForm |
|
 |
Rescue Group
Contacts |
|
 |
Rescue Group
Grant Information |
|
 |
Breed Message |
The BCSA Rescue Program was formed by the BCSA in order to promote rescue and to support the Border
Collie Rescuer's across the states. We strive to educate the public and to
provide assistance to the rescuers on the local level by providing grants
and referrals. We are currently working on a comprehensive list of
Border Collie rescue organizations and will post that list at soon as it
is compiled. In the meantime, we recommend that you do an internet
search for "border collie rescue" to find a group in your area. See
how you can help support the BCSA Rescue Program.
Many rescue dogs come to us with no pedigree "papers" and the dogs are neutered and spayed. This means that they will not be allowed to show in AKC conformation classes (a competition geared towards evaluating non-neutered, pedigreed breeding stock). However, you can still do a lot of AKC activities by obtaining an
"PAL (Purebred Alternative
Listing) registration number from AKC. Many rescue Border Collies successfully participate in agility, herding, obedience and tracking right along with the Border Collies who do have pedigrees.
At
the November 2006 meeting, the Board approved giving BC rescue
organizations a discounted ad rate in Borderlines. The ad rate for rescue
organizations will be one half the member rate for both single issue and
yearly ads. The person submitting the ad must be a member of BCSA for the
organization to receive the discount.
|
SUPPORT BORDER COLLIE RESCUE WITH YOUR
PURCHASE OF... |
 |
You can also support Border Collie Rescue by
purchasing a magnetic "rescue" ribbon or bumper sticker, a Border Collie collar, leash or other
items from
Helping
Udders. When you list BC Rescue as your rescue choice, 10% - 50%
of your purchase will go to Border Collie Rescue.
IMPORTANT:
You must indicate "Border Collie Rescue" in the message section of
the check out process. |
GENERAL BORDER COLLIE INFORMATION
Border Collies have been bred for centuries for
intelligence and working ability. Shepherds wanted a dog that was independent
enough to make decisions, able to control the flock, and was very trainable, in
essence a true working dog, a dog who could be a partner. The same intelligence,
trainability, intensity and energy that make Border Collies superior working
dogs can make them unsuitable for the average pet owner. The BCSA encourages you to thoroughly research the breed before adopting or
purchasing your first Border Collie. If you are still unsure after extensive
research, consider volunteering for at your local Border Collie rescue
organization and fostering a pure bred Border Collie to see if this is
indeed a breed you can love for years
Living with Border Collies can be wonderful, but it can also be very difficult. Being one
of the most intelligent dogs on earth can make them the most difficult to live
with, the breed is challenging for most people. This is a dog that requires
mental as well as physical stimulation on a daily basis. This is a dog who needs
a job to thrive and be happy and a happy border collie is a good border collie.
Even if you have experience as a dog owner, the Border Collie may put you to the
test. They are not the breed for just anyone.
On behalf of all the
Border
Collie Rescuers, THINK carefully and honestly about your lifestyle before
getting a Border Collie. They are not the best choice for most people.
BASIC FACTS
Weight: 25 - 65 pounds Coat: Rough (long coat), semi
rough, or smooth (short hair) Colors: black & white, red & white, tri
color, blue merle, red merle, liver and may have ticking on the legs or muzzle
Eyes: Amber, chocolate, dark brown, blue Ears: Pricked, semi-erect, dropped.
Best Thing About Border Collies: Extremely
intelligent, incredibly athletic, very independent thinkers. Border Collies love
to learn new things and excel in all forms of training classes. Border Collies
are also extremely affectionate, observant, intuitive, intelligent and eager.
They are excellent athletes and performers and quite devoted partners.
Worst Thing About Border Collies: Extremely
intelligent, incredibly athletic, and independent thinkers. They need constant
attention and if they are not given a job they will find one. It might not be a
job you like. A Border Collie will demand activity, both mental and physical.
Living with a border collie is akin to living with another person, some say a
toddler as they will get into things if you do not keep them occupied.
Quirks: Border Collies being extremely sight and
sound sensitive may respond to many things. Border Collies may chase and nip at
moving objects (a carryover from herding when the dog uses pressure and the grip
as a way to control the sheep in the flock). They can be obsessive-compulsive
when it comes to having a job to do and owners who are not happy with their
border collies almost always complain of this behavior being their biggest
concern with their dog.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Destruction vs. Confinement: Left alone for even
short periods, many dogs (any breed) will redecorate their home - usually in
ways not appreciated by an owner. Dogs have been known to rip up carpeting and
linoleum, destroy drapes and blinds, chew completely through walls and doors,
demolish furniture, and even break windows. This is a worse case scenario (link
to success story). We suggest you never trust your new family member loose
inside the home without constant supervision - in your sight at all times.
Keeping a leash on the dog for a week or two inside the house is an acceptable
way to stay connected at all time.
To avoid household destruction, we recommend provide a
safe and secure enclosed area for the dog to stay while you are away from home -
for a few months at least. Acceptable enclosed areas would be a comfortably
sized crate (indoor kennel) inside the house (link to crate training
information). Another option is an outdoor Kennel Run, minimum size of 6'x6'x12'
provided you equip the kennel with a warm shelter and water.
Exercise: DAILY exercise - running, off leash until
the dog is panting and tired. Ball tossing or Frisbee tossing for 30 minutes
twice a day, agility or herding a few times a week. Hiking, camping, and walking
are wonderful forms of fun for you and your dog, but this alone is not
sufficient exercise. Mix it up to keep you and your dog interested (cross
training for dogs!)
Border Collies love to learn new things and excel in all
forms of training. Without training a Border Collie can become frustrated and
irritable - and irritating to owners. But the Border Collies are extremely
affectionate, observant, intuitive, intelligent and eager souls; excellent
athletes and performers; an owner's constant shadow (no more privacy) and for
many, is the best friend they will have.
RESCUE ADVANTAGES
Before you decide to bring a Border Collie puppy (link to
breeder information or information on raising a puppy) into your family,
remember that a young puppy is extremely disruptive, untrained, and requires
considerable attention during the first many months. A Border Collie is a puppy
for the first 3 years of it's life! Many people find that adopting a Border
Collie is a much better (and easier) idea.
In addition to providing a home for a dog, rescue dogs are
usually partially manners trained, crate trained, beginning to be housebroken,
spayed/neutered, up-to-date on vaccinations and temperament tested. In fact, a
good number of dogs in rescue are 1 year or older and past the beginning puppy
stages but are still easily integrated into a new family. A reputable rescue
group with help to match you with a dog who will suit you and your lifestyle.
Consider contacting a rescue
group in your area and see if they have a dog that is compatible with your
living situation.
DECISION
Once you have decided that a
Border Collie will be the
best companion for you, be prepared for a wonderful adventure. A Border Collie
will change your life and will have you doing things you had never thought of
doing before.
Once you have your new friend home, find and trainer or
training center (link here to article on finding a trainer) and sign up for a
class in basic obedience. This will help to solidify your relationship and get
you off on the right foot. If you and your dog enjoy this class, consider
continuing on to more challenging classes and earning a the American Kennel
Club's Canine Good Citizen
certificate.
Once you have a good relationship with your dog, consider
adding another challenge with agility or herding or perhaps tracking (links to
AKC pages on each subject). The sky is the limit, if sports are not your thing,
consider therapy or Search and Rescue (SAR) as an
avocation, find something that you and your dog and perhaps your entire family
can be involved in together. It will make you and your dog very happy!
|
