As much as I love Collies, I have been see-sawing between them and other breeds for a very long time. I've talked to a few people and a breeder or two over the years about their experience with their Collies and I keep comparing the breed to other breeds like and ticking off little mental boxes saying "well, I wish they were more like the Collie." It's kind of like having a major crush on a celebrity - you really like him (or her), you think they are gorgeous, you like what they stand for, who they are, but you wonder if you could be the type of person that they would like. If I can be honest, I am also really afraid of having another dog. What if I fail as a dog parent - and I fail with my favorite breed?
Anywho, I wanted to bite the bullet and put myself out there...I've learned all I can through books, email and pictures. So, I had written to the Collie Rescue in the southern part of the state that I was hoping to adopt from when I was ready because I couldn't find any that were close to me. Since they are also a club, I asked them if they were having any events around here or within driving distance or if they knew of anyone I could get in contact with. I didn't hear anything back, so I took my time and found a breeder also in the southern part of the state who does health checks, shows her dogs, who uses good lines for her dogs that is closer to me than the other breeder I admire.
I told her I wasn't looking for a puppy or a dog anytime soon (rather in year, year and a half) but I really want to get to know the breed and I would like to get involved. I really, really want to make sure I am a good fit for the Collie before I pursue anything further. I don't want to make any mistakes and I want to do this right I told her I wanted to learn Collie care and grooming etc., because I can't decide if I want a Rough or a Smooth. She's given me the name of the Collie Club in my area, and gave me the dates and times she will be at two shows in my general area over the next month. She told me I could meet her after she was done showing. I am so excited.
It's like everyone that I've ever talked to about their Collies are sweet and welcoming. They seriously have told me about the good and the bads of their dogs, what they think an ideal owner is etc. I honestly feel like all of the bad and crappy things I've gone through in my life are finally gone and things are falling into place. I'm so excited I'm finally going to see a Smooth Collie face to face! I've seen Rough's multitudes of times as a kid - but never a Smooth.
If you've gotten through all that, thank you :hail: I do have a question - should I bring my camera? Can I take pictures at a dog show? What is good etiquette when meeting my future potential breeder? Can I pet her dogs?
Anywho, I wanted to bite the bullet and put myself out there...I've learned all I can through books, email and pictures. So, I had written to the Collie Rescue in the southern part of the state that I was hoping to adopt from when I was ready because I couldn't find any that were close to me. Since they are also a club, I asked them if they were having any events around here or within driving distance or if they knew of anyone I could get in contact with. I didn't hear anything back, so I took my time and found a breeder also in the southern part of the state who does health checks, shows her dogs, who uses good lines for her dogs that is closer to me than the other breeder I admire.
I told her I wasn't looking for a puppy or a dog anytime soon (rather in year, year and a half) but I really want to get to know the breed and I would like to get involved. I really, really want to make sure I am a good fit for the Collie before I pursue anything further. I don't want to make any mistakes and I want to do this right I told her I wanted to learn Collie care and grooming etc., because I can't decide if I want a Rough or a Smooth. She's given me the name of the Collie Club in my area, and gave me the dates and times she will be at two shows in my general area over the next month. She told me I could meet her after she was done showing. I am so excited.
It's like everyone that I've ever talked to about their Collies are sweet and welcoming. They seriously have told me about the good and the bads of their dogs, what they think an ideal owner is etc. I honestly feel like all of the bad and crappy things I've gone through in my life are finally gone and things are falling into place. I'm so excited I'm finally going to see a Smooth Collie face to face! I've seen Rough's multitudes of times as a kid - but never a Smooth.
If you've gotten through all that, thank you :hail: I do have a question - should I bring my camera? Can I take pictures at a dog show? What is good etiquette when meeting my future potential breeder? Can I pet her dogs?