Sunday, January 11, 2009

A Bearded Collie, You Say....

Once again I find myself with a dog I know absolutely nothing about except what the previous foster and the director have told me. He likes this, doesn't like that, he sleeps upside down (upside down or right side, up he didn't sleep much last night - going to be early tonight people). But time will give us more of Lonestar Chance's personality. That part I'm good with - it's the breed profile that I know NOTHING, NOTHING about that has me a little unnerved.

This is from Wikipedia: "It's possible the beardie gained its epithet of the 'bouncing beardie' because dogs would work in thick undergrowth on the hill, and would bounce to catch sight of the sheep, or because of the characteristic way the beardie faces a stubborn ewe, barking and bouncing on the forelegs. However that may be, the typical bearded collie is an enthusiastic herding dog that needs structure and fostering, and that moves stock using both body, bark and bounce, should that be required."

5. You must learn to love and appreciate the "Beardie Bounce", the breed's characteristic bounding at play, bounding to greet you, bounding to look out the window when they hear a noise, . . .bounding. . .ever bounding.

7. The Bearded Collie is not for everyone. They like to be challenged. They require a lot of exercise. There is a lot of grooming and a lot of dog hair around the house (even though much of the dead hair comes out with proper grooming).

Oh boy...Really? A Bouncing Herding Dog? All right, bring it on...bouncing, challenging, herding that needs grooming, the whole kong, bring it on. And as long as we're talking about grooming, I have this...


Smooth in the back, mop disaster in the front.




I'm hoping after a haircut and a little grooming lesson, I can have this....


Kind of an even length all the way around except the ears and tail, which should probably be a little fuller. 'Cuz that tail looks miserable without hair, ewwwwwww. I wouldn't even mind if he were kind of longish all the way around, but not quite like this:

Helloooo Fabio.....



Here is another little ditty I found on the web about beardies...

This dog is without a doubt one of the largest clowns in the canine world. Many seem to think he has pogo sticks in his legs, or at the very least was crossed with a grass hopper. His bounce and charm are addicting and he is always joyous and affectionate. Playful and a tad cheeky, his tail is always wagging. He has a lovely sense of humour and that combined with his high energy levels make for some pretty funny episodes. Males tend to be more outgoing and bold, while females are calmer and more submissive. He's really terrific with kids and thrives, NEEDS to be with people. He needs to be a part of the family unit and would wither without human contact. If he is left alone without human contact and has nothing to do, he will get into trouble. He certainly can be trained to do just about anything, but not to be a watch dog. Noisy barkers yes, but not watch dogs. Their forte is herding animals - and their people (with a grin!) You don't need a doorbell when living with a Beardie.

Beardies jump and can even clear very high fences, if they don't have something to do that appeals to them. They'll also jump up to greet you, kiss your nose and look you straight in the eye. Great trick, but it can scare little ones and others who aren't used to such enthusiastic greetings.This breed does well at intermingling with other animals particularly if they were raised with them. Some can be bossy about possessions and hoard all the toys in their den, and being herding dogs, they will chase things if tempted. The Beardie may have gotten one of its other names - bouncing beardie - because when working in thick undergrowth on a hill, they bounce to catch sight of their sheep. It's also speculated this name came from the way they face a stubborn ewe, barking and bouncing on the forelegs. The bearded moves stock using body, bark and bounce. Very few beardies show "eye" when working, most are usually upright.

Lonestar Chance, at Your Service Ma'am. I'll keep away those One-Eyed, One-Horned Flyin' Purple People Eaters - Just Ask for Me!


Oh, and yes, he is on a leash. I photoshopped most of it out. It's hard to look cool when you're tethered.


More to come!



1 comment:

Judy said...

Boing! Boing! Boing! Too funny.

He did so well at the party, just being off the bus and all that. I might even let him take Miss Mia out to the Doggy Bag for cookies. Does he get an allowance so they don't have to go 'dutch'?

:-p