Border 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 Collies are a breed of integrity, loyalty and great freedom of spirit and this is far more important than any trophies or medals they can earn for their owners.

It is a sad fact that cruelty to animals is becoming far more common place in our society and there are more collies in rescue today than there have ever been.

Our ancestors worked hard to give us a loyal and true working partner and it is my belief that to ensure we preserve this heritage for generations to come we must eliminate the great divide between the farmers dog and the companion dog, they are one and the same. Good owners and cruel exist in both, competition addicts and loving handlers exist in both, outside accommodation and bedside exist in both but there is only one Border Collie.

It matters little who the owner is or what their lifestyle is, what matters is the amount of love and understanding they are prepared to give, for you can guarantee that for every little bit you give a Border Collie you will get over a hundred times back and that is worth nurturing for generations to come.

 

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