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   up, trying to do everything in triple time, which causes it to make
   even more mistakes. Motivational-type training, with plenty of treats
   and/or play, works best with soft dogs for obedience training. It
   brings out the best in them, helping to turn them into excellent,
   happy workers that love their training sessions.
   
   Attention-training is important for Border Collies that will be shown
   in obedience competition. These dogs are very sight-oriented, and are
   easily distracted by anything moving around them. A dog that is
   closely watching his handler cannot pay attention to other things that
   are happening around him.
   
   Border Collies make wonderful trick dogs. They love to learn new
   things and can be taught many behaviors, such as sitting up, playing
   dead, and rolling over, and they usually love to show off. They can be
   very undignified and clownish if they think it will get them attention
   or make people laugh. This is why these dogs are so popular in movies
   and television.
   
   Border Collies can be very sound-sensitive. This sensitivity manifests
   itself in a couple of ways: some dogs become very frightened at loud
   or unusual noises (i.e., fireworks, the sound of a smoke alarm, even
   something as simple as hand-clapping); other dogs might just be
   extremely distracted by different noises.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Is a Border Collie For You?

   With the recent appearance of the Border Collie in movies,
   commercials, and television programs, many people are now considering
   one as a potential new pet. While Border Collies are very intelligent,
   they also require a larger time and energy commitment from their
   owners than many other breeds. They are active, spirited, and
   sometimes strong willed. Although some may be calmer than others,
   others are decidedly hyperactive, always wanting to be up and doing
   something. They often exhibit obsessive behaviors, like chasing
   lights, shadows, and running or dripping water. Many owners have no
   patience for this kind of activity, but breed lovers seem to enjoy
   this loony streak.
   
   There is no way of telling how highly developed a pup's herding
   instinct will be. If you acquire one that wants to work above all
   else, its frustration may take the form of herding and possibly
   nipping at the heels of children, running adults, or other animals.
   This is not a sign of viciousness, but it is something that must be
   controlled, especially with small children who can become frightened
   with the behavior.
   
   The people who make the most satisfied Border Collie owners are people
   who enjoy spending a lot of time with their dogs and are willing and
   able to make the commitment to exercise and train in some way every
   day; who are very active, who like to hike, jog, and/or take long
   walks with their dogs; who don't mind living with a dog that never
   really settles down, even in the house, even after a lot of exercise,
   even when its owner is tired from a long day at work; and most
   important, who have a real job for the dogs to do, whether it's one of
   the dog sports that these dogs excel at, or, of course, herding a
   flock of sheep.
   
   In summary, Border Collies are much more work than most other breeds.
   They do not typically make easy family pets. If you have never been
   around one, try to spend some time with the breed before you decide to
   get one. Many Border Collies end up in shelters when their owners find
   that they are just too much trouble to have around because they need
   so much exercise, attention, and training/mental stimulation.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Recognized

   American Kennel Club
   Australian National Kennel Council
   FCI
   Kennel Club of Great Britain
   Raad van Beheer
   United Kennel Club
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Special Medical Problems

   There is a mistaken belief by some breeders that the Border Collie's
   work weeds out unhealthy breeding stock and, as a result, the breed is
   unaffected by the genetic disorders common in other breeds. This is
   absolutely untrue! Many Border Collies in the U.S. have disorders such
   as hip dysplasia, eye problems, and epilepsy. If a breeder tells you
   that the breed is unaffected by these problems, find another breeder.
   Also, if a breeder tells you he doesn't check and certify hips and
   eyes because his particular breeding lines are unaffected by hip and
   eye problems, find another breeder.
   
  Hip Dysplasia
  
   Like most medium- and large-sized dogs, Border Collies are prone to
   Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD), which can cause mild to severe lameness,
   so be sure to look for breeders that certify their dogs through the
   OFA and insist on seeing the certificates. Dogs do not have to be
   obviously lame to have this condition and pass it on to their
   offspring. As a dog approaches middle age, symptoms of CHD often show
   up as mild arthritis: the dog limps or appears somewhat stiff after
   hard exercise or upon getting up from a nap. Often the dog seems fine
   after he moves around and stretches himself a bit. These symptoms can
   become worse as the dog ages. Depending on the dog (age, activity
   level) and owner (finances, ability and williness to commit to helping
   the dog with its rehabilitation), treatment varies from pain
   management (using drugs, managed exercise, and rest) to several
   choices of surgery (including total hip replacement).
   
  Osteochondritis Desicans
  
   A disease that can cause lameness in the joints of young dogs (usually
   from 6 to 12 months of age) is Osteochondritis Desicans (OCD). This is
   a degenerative disease of the joints, and is possibly associated with
   over-nutrition and too-fast growth of puppies. Treatment includes rest
   and/or surgery.
   
  Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  
   Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Central Retinal Atrophy (CPRA)
   are two eye problems. PRA generally shows up in dogs around two years
   of age. At first it shows up as night blindness, and slowly progresses
   over eight years or so to total blindness. Dogs that are bred should
   have their eyes checked and certified by a veterinary ophthalmologist.
   Again, insist on seeing the CERF certificates.
   
  Collie Eye Anomaly
  
   Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) is another eye problem that is becoming more
   and more common in Border Collies. Like PRA, CEA can also cause
   blindness. However, unlike PRA, it is not a progressive disease. A
   puppy with this problem will not get progressively worse. The entire
   litter should be tested for CEA between the ages of six and ten weeks
   by a qualified veterinary ophthalmologist. An official certificate
   should be available if the litter has been tested, and every puppy in
   the litter should be listed as normal.
   
  Epilepsy
  
   Border Collies are also prone to epilepsy, a neurological seizure
   disorder, which can be extremely serious. Although epileptic seizures
   can usually be controlled by drugs, that's not always the case. Dogs
   have been known to die of uncontrollable seizures. Unfortunately,
   there is no test for this. Ask the breeder if there are any known
   epilepsy problems. Ethical breeders will be more than happy to discuss
   this with you.
   
  Canine Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (Storage Disease)
  
   This is a rare disease found in some dogs, which affects the nerve
   cells of the body. It is caused by a metabolic defect that allows a
   waste product called ceroid lipofuscin to accumulate in body cells.
   Dogs appear normal until around 18 months, at which time the build-up
   is substantial enough that symptoms start to appear. Symptoms include:
   unreasonable fear of familiar objects and surroundings; abnormal gait,
   unsteady on feet, difficulty jumping; demented behaviour, mania,
   hyperactivity, or rage. There is no treatment for this disease, and it
   is terminal.
   
  Deafness
  
   Congenital deafness can be a problem in some Border Collies, and more
   breeders are starting to have breeding stock and litters hearing
   (BAER) tested.
   
  Malignant Hyperthermia
  
   This is a very serious, although fairly unusual condition that affects
   some Border Collies. Typical symptoms include staggering after a brief
   period (5 or 10 minutes) of exercise. If left to run they would
   collapse. Body temperatures shoot up extremely high, and take a long
   time to return to normal, even in cold weather. Any exercise or stress
   can trigger an attack. If the temperature goes high enough, it can
   trigger seizures, strokes or even death. Dogs with this condition must
   have their exercise carefully controlled and monitored.
   
  Anesthetics
  
   Because of their low body fat, some Border Collies may be sensitive to
   barbiturate-based anesthetics. This is something that you should
   discuss with your veterinarian before any kind of surgery or procedure
   for which your dog will be anesthetized.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
References

  Books
  
   Billingham, Viv, One Woman and Her Dog, 1984
   
   Carpenter, E. B., Blue Ribband of the Heather: The Supreme Champions
   1906 - 1988, Farming Press Books, Ipswich, UK, 1989
   
   Combe, Iris, Border Collies, Faber and Faber, London, 1978
   
   Jones, H. Glyn, A Way of Life, Diamond Farm Enterprises, Alexandria,
   NY, 1987
   
   Larson, Janet E., The Versatile Border Collie, Second Edition, Alpine
   Publications, Inc., Loveland, Colorado, 1999
   
   Longton, Tim, and Hart, Edward, The Sheepdog: Its Work and Training,
   Newton Abbot, North Pomfret, VT, 1976
   
   McCaig, Donald, Nop's Trials (Fiction), Crown Publishers, New York,
   NY, 1984
   
   McCaig, Donald, Eminent Dogs, Dangerous Men, Harper Collins, New York,
   NY, 1991
   
   Wilcox, Bonnie, DVM, and Walkowicz, Chris, Atlas of Dog Breeds, TFH
   Publications, Inc., 1991
   
   Zink, M. Christine, DVM, Peak Performance: Coaching the Canine
   Athlete, Second Edition, Canine Sports Productions, 1997
   
  Periodicals
  
   American Border Collie
   218 Stagecoach Lane, Crawford, TX  76638
   
   Borderlines
   (Newsletter for BCSA)
   Editor: Helen Phillips
   email: HelenPhillips@BorderCollie.Lover.org
   Arvada, CO
   
   The Ranch Dog Trainer
   PO Box 599, Ellendale, TN 38029
   
   The Shepherd's Dogge
   Woolgather Farm
   Box 843, Ithaca, NY 14581
   
   The Working Border Collie Magazine
   14933 Kirkwood Road, Sidney, OH 45365
   
   United States Border Collie Club Newsletter
   14401 Poplar Hill Road, Germantown, MD 20874
   
  Email List about Border Collies
  
   A mailing list is available for discussing issues and topics relating
   to Border Collies. You can join by sending a message to:
   
     BC-L-Subscribe@egroups.com
     
   leave the subject line and body of the message blacnk, and send the
   email.
   
   There is also a mailing list specifically for herding with Border
   collies. To join, send email to:
   
     listproc@cornell.edu
     
   In the body of the message, put the lines:
   
     subscribe SHEEPDOG-L firstname lastname
     
  Breed Rescue Organizations
  
   Many Border Collie rescue volunteers are experts at matching dogs with
   the right homes, so, for example, you won't end up with a dog with
   intense herding instincts if what you want is just an active
   companion. Many are also very knowledgeable about dog behavior, and
   are happy to answer any questions and help you with any problems you
   might have after you get your new dog home.
   
   The following website lists most of the rescue organizations in the
   United States.
   
   http://www.modricusa.com/bcr/nd98/contacts.html
   
  Breeders
  
   For lists of breeders, contact the one of the breed clubs listed later
   in this article. Be sure to interview the breeders very carefully, and
   expect them to interview you to make sure you can provide an
   appropriate home for one of their puppies. Responsible breeders are
   very careful about who they send their puppies home with.
   
  Registries
  
   The American Border Collie Association Inc. (ABCA)
   82 Rogers Road, Perkinston, MS 39573 USA
   (601) 928-7551
   http://www.bordercollie.org/abca.html
   
   The American-International Border Collie Registry, Inc. (AIBC)
   c/o Senette Parker, PO Box 274, Chappell Hills, TX 77426, USA
   (409) 836-4864
   http://www.aibc-registry.org/
   
   The American Kennel Club. (AKC)
   51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY USA
   email: info@akc.org
   http://www.akc.org
   
   The North American Sheep Dog Society (NASDS)
   RR 3, McLeansboro, IL 62859, USA
   
   Raad van Beheer
   Postbus 75901, 1070 AX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
   
   The Kennel Club
   I-4 Clarges St. Piccadilly, London, W1Y8AB, England
   
   The International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS)
   Chesam House, 47 Bromham Road, Bedford, England MK40 2AA
   http://intsheepdogsoc.org.uk
   
   The Australian National Kennel Council
   Royal Show Grounds, Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia
   
   The United Kennel Club (UKC)
   100 East Kilgore Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49001 USA
   http://www.ukcdogs.com/
   
  Breed Clubs
  
   Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with any inquiry.
   
   The Border Collie Club of Great Britain
   Ted Keeton, Acting Secretary
   Hunters Quay, Dale Bank, Ashover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire  S45 0EX
   http://www.k9netuk.com/bccgb/
   
   Border Collie Club Nederland
   Amerlaan 31, 5626 BR Eindhoven
   The Netherlands
   Tel: +31 (0)40 2904066
   
   Border Collie Club of Tasmania
   Syd Munton
   Lot 1, Lower Shield Street, Huonville 7109 Tasmania  (002)641659
   http://www.vision.net.au/~mhampson/bcsct.htm
   
   Border Collie Society of America, Inc (BCSA)
   (AKC Parent Club)
   14328 W. 96th Avenue, Arvada, CO  80005
   http://www.duke.edu/~awho/bc/bcsa.htm
   
   The United States Border Collie Club
   12813 Maple Street, Silver Spring, MD  20904
   http://www.bordercollie.org/
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
    Border Collie FAQ
    April Quist, aquist@netcom.com

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