fostbcmag

  B order Collies have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and during the latter part of the twentieth century the breed has diversified into so many different disciplines and lifestyles that it has become known as the Versatile Border Collie. Opinions vary greatly about the breed, how it works, how working dogs live, whether they should be in pet homes and, probably the one very close to my heart, can working dogs live inside? My dogs cannot all live inside, there are far too many of them, but the golden oldies do, young dogs do and any infirm or problem dogs do. My dogs are a part of my life, they work, live and laugh with me, they have a wonderful sense of humour and incredible loyalty. As well as a love of the breed I have a great respect for it and if I can bring people just a little closer to the heart and soul of a collie and its heritage through words, books, or my website then I will consider some of the love given to me by dogs repaid. Border Collie...

  The Border Collie and its Future I keep thinking about the question which not only goes around in my head but, when I talk to other like-minded people, I find that they too ponder on the same subject. Where is the Border Collie going and what is its future? I suppose that right now it may seem pretty secure. But is it really and are we going to have a genuine Border Collie decades from now or just a faint resemblance?    The past years have seen so much change, not just in the breed of dog but in our way of life. Sheep farming has changed dramatically in the last few years, regulations, quotas and paper work have caused the smaller farmer to think carefully about his future, and the farmers of larger concerns are involved in a more commercial type of farming rather than a way of life. The quad bike, the four track and indoor lambing are all part of the commercial scene. The walking, shepherding and long cold nights are something we may remember but prefer not to have ...