The Border collie is no boarder: it pays the rent, in many ways.

For many years Scotland's Border Collie has been renowned for its prowess with livestock. Selection was based on working ability without high regard for coat color or length or a standard look.

Border Collies are most commonly black and white, although tri colors, red and white, and blue and white dogs are found. They are generally about 40-45 pounds with either smooth or rough coats.

Having been "owned" by several of these dogs over the years as well as various other breeds (including Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Irish Setters, Boxers, Schnauzers, Doberman and various mutts) I have found that overall the Border Collie reigns supreme as far as intelligence and keenness to work. My dogs are from stock imported from Scotland, where they often work long hours on the farm as well as excelling in trials. Jake (pictured) was "working" chickens, ducks and geese at nine weeks. Keeping him out of the sheep pen even at that age was impossible.

He is also keen to work cattle, horses, pigs, and anything else that moves, although he gets frustrated with the goats as they don't play fair! (If you've ever tried to herd goats you can sympathize with Jake!)

He is exceptionally intelligent and picks up a pig's squeal from the television--and can be brought out of a solid sleep by whispering "where's the sheep?" He identifies many more words than most dogs I've been around.

Not a good kid's dog?

Many people have said Border Collies aren't good kids' dogs and that's not true. Although like any breed there are some individuals who don't like kids, by and large the Border Collie is exceptionally tolerant of tail tugs, ear jerks and being sat on.

They are easy to care for and many are second only to retrievers and setters as a water homing device! (Jake and Ina can find a water puddle anywhere.) They can be tough with a stubborn ewe and yet gentle as can be with a lamb. Jake's first introduction to sheep: he flung himself through the fence, plopped in front of our Dorset ram and began licking his face. He has held the neighbor's pigs off the road when they escaped from their pen and sounds like the highest trained guard dog at a knock on the door.

One of the most unusual things is they can come in covered with mud and soaking wet and yet an hour later be dry with snowy white paws. They are easy to housebreak and not very good about sneaking things. (Jake and Ina both have a guilty conscience--if something is knocked over I can usually tell who did it!) I did have one dog--Ina's sire--who would get upset at being left. If I didn't put him in a crate he would pull books or papers down off the shelves and "mark" them. But he did know his work outsider

My dogs are kept in the house, but never miss a chance to go out and work. I have at times been busy and once had some sheep out. I sent Jake out to get them and he cornered them and patiently waited for me. I looked out 45 minutes later and he was still with the sheep in the same area.

The problem-solving ability of the Border Collie is shown in many ways, but perhaps most humorously by a pup I had some years ago. Babe was trying to help her daddy (Duke) move some ducks. When Duke would move around them they would run right over her (even Khaki Campbells were bigger than she was at the time but she was trying hard). After the third duck literally walked over her, she lost all patience and jumped at the duck, latching onto the tail feathers and pulled for all she was worth to try and stop him.

As she got bigger she never laid a tooth on a duck or any other critter but she clearly had just reached her limit at that time. (And she did get the duck to go where she wanted.)

One of the most useful commands, besides "come here," is "down." With it you can stop a dog anywhere. If he gets too exuberant and is rushing a bunch of sheep or too close to a heifer, a dog that's solid on "down" can be dropped until sufficient space is allowed.

Use patience working with the young learner. A heavy hand will shatter confidence faster than any tough animal. A verbal scolding is as bad as being beaten to most Border Collies, as the desire to please is very strong.

There are many books written about training. One good one is The Farmer's Dog by John Holmes.

They are also easily entertained. Most dogs have doggie toys. Not Jake. He gets immense pleasure (and exercise) playing "soccer" with a three-liter soda bottle!

If you are considering an all-around helper, look at the Border Collie.