Our Unconditional Love for Border Collies: A Family's Journey

We've always been a family of dog lovers, and our household has been a bit of a zoo - we've never had any other breeds besides Border Collies. Even now, I still think about all the taxi dogs we've lost over the years, including one who sadly passed away, and the other two who are just getting on in age.

My husband's Border Collie, Twix, just turned 13, and he's been with us since he was a rescue from a shelter in Wales, where my husband's from.

I remember the first time I met Twix like it was yesterday - my husband and I were picking me up from the train station, and he was along for the ride. I'd seen him around before, but only in photos. There were a few videos too - he's a stunning breed.

The pros of having a Border Collie, in my opinion, are that they're incredibly smart and easy to train. They pick up on everything you do and say, and they're super intuitive.

For example, Twix will literally fly down the stairs the moment he hears someone walking by outside or any other noise that requires his attention.

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The less people in the household, the more chill and intelligent the Border Collie will bexa0

Twix can walk off-leash without a problem - he listens to every command I give him.

For instance, if I say, 'Don't go in the grass, you'll get dirty - it's a bog today,' he'll turn around and look at me, then stick to the pavement.

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I've gotta say, my Tweed is super active - it's like he's 80 years old in dog years at 13! The only downside is that he's slowed down a bit over the years, especially when he has to stand for a while to eat. His legs will give out on him.

And let's talk about food - I'm not sure about other dogs, but Tweed is super sensitive to fatty, greasy food. If he eats too much of that, he'll get a stomach upset.

He's always been a slow eater, like he's savoring every bite.

It's been three years now since I've had to start feeding him by hand - I think it's because of his age, and maybe his neck and legs are still a bit sore. He used to refuse to eat on his own, so I'd take a few bites and then leave him alone. But now that I'm feeding him myself, he loves it! He'll wait for me every day with his bowl, and if I'm late with his food, he'll come over and nudge me with his nose. I love this system - he eats slowly and carefully, like a little cow. He chomps down, looks up at me, and then goes back to eating. And after he's done, he always gives me those big, grateful eyes.

I think it's amazing that despite being 13, Tweed still has that spark in his eyes and that emotional connection with me.He's also super good with water and baths - we have a little creek near where I walk him, and he loves to run along the path and then dive into the water to grab a stick.

Border Collies are such intelligent dogs - I highly recommend them! But one thing to keep in mind is that they're super sensitive to tone and volume. If you yell at them, they'll shut down. You have to be gentle and calm with them.

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(Passed away on 07/12/2020)

A few days after adopting Twix (he's about six months old here)xa0

And playing the guitar? 'It's Ballroom Blitz!' Twix ~ 3 Years Old Do-Do Looking Through The Window - Twix's Passion, though!Update from 30/07/2023. After Twix, his main characteristic was 'show-dog', meaning a breed that originated in the 1990s and is larger and more laid-back. But Un, our second Border Collie, is actually related to his parents, who were farm dogs. Both our dogs, like his mom and dad, were raised on a farm surrounded by wild sheep. So when my husband and I chose a breed after losing Twix, this little guy stole the show. Just a few months old, he was taken from the farm to be photographed. His 'original' photo also shows him with his tiny food bowl. There were six puppies in the litter, and we're the fifth family to adopt him. That's what's written in his veterinary passport. I know all about his vaccinations, which were done on schedule, every month, and an annual reminder is sent by the clinic in April.

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There's a huge difference between working and feral breeds, even though I've only had experience with the former. Border Collies, in my opinion, are the smartest and most expressive, but they're also a high-maintenance breed that requires a lot of care. Now that my dog is over two years old, I can see a significant difference in his behavior compared to when he was younger. At this point, I can confidently highlight the pros:

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He's almost completely stopped barking when he's playing with toys and can't get to them, which is a classic Border Collie trait. He'll just give me the 'give an eye' stare and move on.xa0

He's also happy to entertain himself for a bit, but he'll always come back to me and lie down next to me or watch me with an intense gaze.xa0

I talk to him all the time, and he responds in a way that's almost uncanny. Unlike a child, he's completely attentive and understands every word. You can see it in his eyes - it's a level of self-expression I've never seen in any other breed.

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He loves massages, and I've even taught him to stand still while I give him one. If he gets anxious after a walk, a quick massage on his neck will calm him down. He'll even lie down and fall asleep if there are multiple people in the room - it's almost like he's a sheepdog at heart, always looking for a place to settle down.

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He eats like a typical Border Collie, which means he's very particular about his food. He gets anxious if there are other noises around, so he eats from a bowl and has a separate portion of wet food. In the evening, he gets dry treats, but only while he's lying down and watching TV - yes, you read that right - he's actually interested in the show, especially if there are animals on screen. He's even learned to understand a flat image on TV.

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Spoiler alert: my pup needs a consistent routine, just like any other dog.

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UN ~ Approx. 6 Weeks Old TWIX ~ 20th April 2012, 15:58:36In the morning, my pup loves to stick his nose right up against my face, but that's about it. He's super gentle when he puts his paw on my face, but if he's lying on my pillow, I need to coax him out - or else he might just give me a little nip. I've learned to be careful not to startle him!

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When we're out and about, he's a bit more reserved around other dogs (I mean, in the wild, every new creature is a potential threat to the livestock he's supposed to be watching over). He's not a fan of fast-moving things, especially scooters. And let's just say he's not a fan of kids who are running around, waving their arms, and screaming for no reason. I'm not sure who's more confused - the kids or my pup! But I've found that if I just stop him and calmly explain the situation, he seems to understand. I mean, he's a smart cookie, and he knows when to leave kids alone.

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To have a Border Collie at home, you need a strict schedule. My husband and I take him out first thing in the morning for 45 minutes, then I take him out for an hour at half past twelve before lunch. We have a small snack, eat, and rest. Next, we're back out for 30 minutes, followed by a nap. The final walk is at night, before bed.

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If you don't understand and want to actively engage with your dog, I wouldn't recommend having a Border Collie!

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Circa December - November 2022 30/07/2023 (Damp After an Afternoon Walk) ~ Raining Again Twix & His Briend (Nantymoel - Circa 2015) TWIX (Favourite River Ogmore, Nantymoel) PS: There will be updates.

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