Myrddin Wyllt

[qatarperegrine]

My sister has convinced me that it's time to admit that my dog is really part Sheltie, not part Border Collie. This is a big step down in the snobby world of herding dogs. But, for people who've met Merlin (pictures here if not), is he not related to this dog? And doesn't the back half of this dog look just like his legs and tail? And doesn't he have the irritating barkiness of a Sheltie?

Sorry, Mer, but I can't deny it any longer. You're not a whit Border Collie.

Comments

[kit-ping.livejournal.com]

What does it matter? He's CUTE! :)

[qatar.livejournal.com]

He is DARN cute, and wonderfully snuggly. (You're one of few people who would understand that when I call him my little Mer-rat, I am complementing my favorites of his personality traits.) Unfortunately, he also has a prey drive that won't quit, a nonsensical desire to "protect" his little sister from the dogs she wants to roughhouse with, and other unpleasant habits left over from either his life on the streets or his shameful Sheltie genetics!

foobart pointed out that Sheltie people may be more useful than BC people in figuring out how to deal with him.

Or at least, that would be true if we'd ever met any Sheltie people who could admit that their dogs have some less-than-perfect personality traits!

[kit-ping.livejournal.com]

Prey drive is probably from the streets. The protection sounds like herd dog stuff; I remember going to the beach with the pack in tow and having Valjean (collie/lab/who knows what cross) absolutely FREAK OUT at the other dogs' joyful leap into the surf. "You get right back on land this instant! It's DANGEROUS out there! Stop running down the beach! Stay in a little group!" He eventually wore out trying to constantly circle the rest of the dogs. :)