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I met a madwoman today...

12 replies

Vallhala · 13/03/2010 23:34

...who was walking with her 3 under-5 year old daughters and a Border Collie pup!

They say German Sheps are hard work, but I've had 2 and fostered as well and find them a breeze, but Borders! Well! Gulp! Don't get me wrong, I love all breeds and work with/have fostered all sorts but by god how do you BC owners do it? I'd be knackered within a week and I have teenagers with my 2 dogs, not little 'uns.

All credit to the lady, they were on their way back from an hours romp on the fields. Bet they'll all sleep well tonight.

I still think she's nuts though!

OP posts:
midori1999 · 13/03/2010 23:40

Yep, mental... I always try and leave the children at home when walking the dogs. Taking kids along is madness...

Vallhala · 13/03/2010 23:46

Whether or not this lady had no-one to care for the DC or not I don't know but I agree that it's much more pleasurable to dog-walk alone. That said, those little ones would have been sound asleep by 7pm I'm sure!

Not so sure that the BC would be though. Those I know with them are contantly on the go, forever in search of new ways to entertain and exercise their Borders. I must say in their defence that their dogs' obedience is the reward for the owners' hard work. But jeez, I'm sure that BC owners never sit down... those dogs are HARD WORK! Give me my not-very-bright GSD and an older Lab anytime!

OP posts:
beautifulgirls · 14/03/2010 13:32

People will think I am nuts too then.... 5 year old, 3 (nearly 4) year old, 4 month old baby and a labrador puppy! We are all ready for walks when pups vaccines are done with a baby carrier for the baby so we can "off road" it! We have loads of walking areas close to home and I have owned a lab before so knew what I was getting into. It is hard work but lots of fun

thehillsarealive · 14/03/2010 15:38

beautifulgirls - there s a massive difference between walking your lab puppy and a border collie. BC are continually 'on the go' and need things to do, ideally they need to work -

I would suggest flyball, agility, obedience and miles and miles of walking and running to keep them non destructive.

I love my GSD and have finally got a good combination for him now that he is a year old. He runs with a friend of mine once a week - she is a personal trainer and 6 miles later my boy is done. Although he runs about 200 miles for her 6!

Going out as a family is great fun, we take bikes, scooters or just get wellied up and hit the woods and go for miles until we are hungry/thirsty then go to the pub and then head home. the kids love it.

bronze · 14/03/2010 15:45

Sounds perfect , they all wear each other out

thehillsarealive · 14/03/2010 15:53

bronze yesterday my DC and dog were ALL in the water, messing around and getting soaked and having FUN which is what it is all about. Of course it was too cold for all that malarkey but hey, if you cant do it when you are a child when can you? The dog was in heaven.

They were worn out and happy which made me happy too!

clutha · 14/03/2010 15:59

Actually, its a bit of an fallacy that Bc's dont relax indoors.

True, they are hyper working breeds, and the joke about BC's and the lightbulb is pretty much on the money.

However, its not just quantity, but quality.

As in, if you give them the right 'sort' and amount of mental and physcial stimulation, you can get them to a point of being reasonably quiet indoors.

I've fostered quite a few myself, and they do settle and relax in between the high arousal states.

The reputation is so strong as many people that get them just dont have the right lifestyle or the right head for these dogs, hence the stories you hear often.

Sounds like this lady has both.

The trouble is they are quick learners, and when you train them, they pick it all up super fast, its what you do with them afterward that counts!
Otherwide, they get bored.

I know someone that has 5, and she aint no spring chicken, and isnt exactly built that good herself, if you know what i mean.

But she does agility etc with them, and they are calm enough.

now, if you said dalmations.........BC energy level without the ability to learn as quickly and the consequent ease of training and control.

RedbinDippers · 14/03/2010 16:01

I must be missing the point, were the kids on leads along with the dogs?

thehillsarealive · 14/03/2010 16:06

My neighbour has a dalmation and it is not very nice - thick as a plank and highly strung. Although she doesnt seem to have a high energy level. Or maybe that is because i have a 1yr old GSD who keeps me busy.

I agree that the working breeds need to use their brains otherwise they can become destructive.

EcoMouse · 14/03/2010 23:18

"Actually, its a bit of an fallacy that Bc's dont relax indoors."

Ours was an inert lump by the end of most days

He appeared as if from nowhere and moved in to the barn one summer. Bailer twine embedded in his neck scrawny and shy. Over the coming years he became a much loved family member and possibly the hardest working of us all!

He wasn't expected to work (on the farm) but he chose to and whatever jobs the day entailed, he was to be found by our sides, finding a way to be helpful.

I've met some obviously disturbed BC's over the years (miserable and snappy), I believe mainly due to a lack of stimulation and exercise but if provided with enough (an excessive amount of, compared to many breeds!) opportunities to think and do, they are one of the most lovely, intelligent, friendly and calm companions to have.

EcoMouse · 14/03/2010 23:33

...he didn't stay in the barn, by the way. After carrying out surveillance on us for a week or two, he seemed to decide we'd be okay to move in with

bronze · 15/03/2010 11:36

he sounds lovely ecomouse

the hills- I seem to have the wrong children I have to chivvy mine outside and then they always fight and complain. I still do it though

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