[Jacob-list] Border Colllies

[Jacobflock at aol.com]

Fred here.  We only have Jacobs.  We have two BCs; Tib is from Scotland, Tee 
her daughter was born here.  Tib has farm and competition experience. We 
bought her trained for whistle, voice and signals.  Her first experience with 
Jacobs was a real test for her and Joan and I had to work the sheep with her 
to put the fear of the dog into the sheep, particularly rams.  After she 
worked them a couple of times and both Tib and the sheep knew "what they were 
supposed to do" it has saved a lot of time.  Tib was trained and she and the 
trainer taught us how she works.  She is tireless and during the summer we 
have to watch the dog and sheep for signs of heat stress when they are being 
brought in.

Tib spends non-working time in the back yard...working the fence separating 
her from the sheep.  She wants to work.. and work...and work.  When she comes 
up to the barn for penning or into the fields to bring them in she knows its 
time to work.  

Tee is Tib's daughter, two years old and just beginning to work the sheep.  
She picks up sight and voice (not whistle) and we have only run her with the 
"obedient ewes".  Tee spends her off hours practicing "come bys" and Away 
tos" with two house cats...the third swatted her to buzz off and she doesn't 
herd that cat.  We have run Tib and Tee together bringing in ewes from the 
back field, about 8 acres. 

If you get a BC puppy...or perhaps any herding puppy...they must grow and 
mature before working.  You can train them as a puppy but if they get whooped 
up on by the sheep, they will be timid and never be able to do a 
skiddledo...grab a sheep...or go into the flock to cut a sheep out.  Be very 
patient and help the dog train the sheep.

Jacobs are loose flockers, very "defensive" and not well liked by the herding 
dog groups.  Jacobs can make herding dogs look bad, in which case a man can 
be a dog's best friend.   Fred.