I Think The Obamas Should Pick A Border Collie

[Dinger]

It is, after all, the smartest breed of dog. Makes sense to me. Plus, I have a Border Collie, and then I could have the same dog as the First Family!

[marmar]

1. And they could round up right-wing nutcases on the White House lawn....

:)

[Dinger]

4. Well, It Seems Like The Perfect Choice Then,

doesn't it:)

[babylonsister]

5. Sheep!

:rofl:

[merwin]

2. I don't think that would help with the kids' allergies.

I love border collies though... used to have one, until it tried to herd a car :)

[goclark]

12. He said they want a Mutt didn't he?

[mondo joe]

17. He said they wanted to rescue a dog, not buy one, but the complicating factor

was the need for a hypoallergenic dog.

[mondo joe]

3. Ah, but the standard poodle is as smart. And not a problem for those with allergies.

[Dinger]

8. Poodle Is #2:

http://petrix.com/dogint/1-10.html

[mondo joe]

14. I'm going to go with the diff between 1 and 2 being minor. Especially compared to the

difference in shedding.

[Vanje]

20. I've had both

Standard poodles and border collies.
Both breeds are geniuses.
The border collies take very well to training.
But the poodle, ...I swear, Poodles are, like, born trained.

[mondo joe]

23. I agree. Everyone praises my standard poodle and says I've trained him so well.

But the truth is I taught him to sit and stay on command, but everything else he pretty much figured out on his own.

[Vanje]

29. He looks just like my Watson

...Watson is no longer on this earth. I sure do miss him.

[mondo joe]

30. I think the smarts + the non shedding makes for the best breed ever.

That's not a dis to other breeds - just my ideal.

Here's to the memory of Watson. :toast:

[merwin]

9. Eh, that's debatable...

the smart part, not the allergy part. Although, I'm biased, as I had a border collie.

[fadedrose]

6. You mean for SOS? nt

[bridgit]

7. Jack Russell Terrier...like Wishbone!!

[Dinger]

11. Awwwwwwww

:)

[hlthe2b]

10. or an Aussie...

My Aussie/Lab mix girlie is mighty smart (and mighty stubborn)...LOL

[Fleshdancer]

13. well, whatever dog they choose...

I bet the breed will suddenly become the most popular breed in America overnight.

[Shakespeare]

18. And whatever dog they choose, I predict umpteen brazillion outraged threads in GD.

All wailing and wringing their hands because Obama didn't choose the kind of dog they thought he should choose.

It's inevitable.

[Ozma]

24. That's why we all come here!!! Right? n/t

[Fleshdancer]

34. HAHAHAHA!!! You nailed it!

Doggiegate. Are YOU prepared? :rofl:

[jillan]

32. I bet you're right.

That will be the most famous dog in the world :) not just America.

[Dinger]

15. Mr. Dinger & Zippy:

[Erin Elizabeth]

16. Those are VERY high energy dogs and require a lot of

walking, running, etc. They're herders, too. I know a woman who does obstacle courses with her borders and they aren't for everyone.

[undeterred]

25. I had one and she was a great dog but I had no idea

what I was getting into. A dog who wants to work! I think its a better dog for country living than the White House (or Chicago, where I had her).

[jillan]

19. Dinger - I had a Border Collie, and something tells me that dog is not hypoallergenic.

That's my beloved Jasper, and I have never seen a dog shed as much as he did.

rip Jasper :(

[TheDoorbellRang]

21. Your Jasper looks exactly like our border collie Jeeves

He was a wonderful dog we rescued from a shelter. I picked him because he was the only one of about 30 dogs not barking its head off when we walked into the shelter. Was a real sweetheart, but definitely a shedder.

[jillan]

27. That is too funny.

Jasper was a barking machine.

I *almost* got him one of those barking collars, but couldn't do it.

[Dinger]

22. Border Collie Rescue, Illinois:

http://www.gotdogsonline.com/border-collie/training-your-border-collie/border-collie-rescue-illinois.shtml


And I think there are short-hair Border Collies too.:)

[jillan]

28. Oh - those puppies are sooooo cute!

[bklyncowgirl]

26. OMG your Jasper looks just like my Bucky!

Except for the fact that Bucky has freckles down his chest and on his paws.

Bucky is also a monumental shedder. We have great clumps of hair around the house thanks to him. Sweet dog and very smart but probably not the best choice for someone with allergies. On the other hand huskies send me into a complete allergic attack and border collies are perfectly fine. Go figure.

[jillan]

31. I heard that it was the dander, not the hair that people are allergic to.

I am allergic to dogs, but I can't help myself.

Now I have an Australian Cattle Dog that we rescued from a shelter.
She's another shedder, another hi energy dog, another sweetheart :)

[bklyncowgirl]

35. Bucky's probably a mix because he's a canine couch potato.

He's a rescue dog--found wandering in Fort Green Park in Brooklyn. He's got the Border Collie look but he's remarkably laid back. Not stupid, mind you, he learns quickly but he gives you this look like, alright, I've done that silly Down/Stay thing you want me to do, NOW CAN YOU PLEASE SCRATCH MY ARMPIT?

He doesn't seem to have much of a herding instinct but on the other hand I've taken him out with my horse and he seems to have gotten whatever genetic information it takes to make a dog work well in a team with a horse. He knows how to stay close to the horse without getting in his way or spooking him--I've seen dalmations do this but I suppose that border collies who have to work with mounted cowboys would have this ability too. He follows HIS horse and doesnt get distracted by other animals.

It would be fun to see what would happen if I did introduce the two of them to cattle. The horse is a Thoroughbred, not much cowhorse blood there but he once had a deer jump into his paddock and he tortured the poor thing, chasing it into corners and working it like a cutting horse. He might do very well with cattle. As for Bucky, who knows. His calmness might be a good thing.

[jillan]

36. Bucky sounds like a great dog!

You should be glad about the lack of a herding instict.

One time Jasper ran up to some boys that were skateboarding - and started nipping at their heels.
I felt terrible - as I'm sure those boys did.

Calmness in a dog is a good thing :)

[bklyncowgirl]

38. Hershey, the dog who hooked me on border collies had the herding instinct

She was a live wire. Sweet dog mind you but she loved to run and she loved action.

She herded the cat. She herded the kids. She used to try and herd geese-it was a game to see how far she could get them to come to me before they took flight. We use Bucky to chase the geese at the barn--he trots out there and sort of says "Ok, guys, make this look good and fly away for a few minutes so I can go back to hanging out in the shade." He does the job but he's not thrilled to do it.

Unfortunately, her love of action got her killed. We were hanging Halloween decorations when someone left the inside door open and she got out. She ran around the block a few times and then crossed the street and got hit by a car. I was heartbroken.

Yes, I enjoy Bucky's laid back personality. He's up for an adventure any time but he doesn't try to make his own thrills.

[lady raven]

33. I have allergies and asthma, and we have a BC/ Australian Shepherd mix

and I don't have trouble with him at all. There is hope :-)

[jillan]

37. Post a pic.

I can't imagine what that dog would look like.

[LibertyLover]

39. I wish they could adopt a former racing greyhound for the girls

but I'm not sure that greys are in the hypoallergenic section of the dog world. But I'd go for a standard poodle. So long as it's a good sized dog that both the girls can love on, that's fine.