A border collie on a working farm seldom finds himself in trouble.
They have a phenomenal ability to notice the smallest changes, the drive to eye stock and nip even the meanest of sheep.
Yet, over 80 percent of clients we see with border collies in urban environments owners complain of chasing kids, cars, and being overly reactive to things in their environment.
The traits that they are finding themselves struggling with are the very traits that sheepherders have bred for hundreds of years into the breed.
The same goes for huskys.. seldom do we see owners running their huskies miles daily struggling with keeping them secure in their homes or destructive behaviors.
Yet, the largest complaints we hear about these breeds are the very traits that make them incredibly suitable for the job they were bred for.
Seldom do I hear a person who purchased a cane corso for estate protection complain about the steady, assertive and self assured guardian they have.
As many of you know the number one breed we work with is cane corsos and yet we recieve calls almost daily of shocked owners when there 8 month old cane corso doesn’t allow a guest into the home.
The traits that a been selected in our dog breeds for centuries are most often the same behaviors that are reported to be “nuisance behaviors” in the home.
This is why many breeders who are worth their weight don’t let their puppy buyers select their own puppy. Instead they ask the puppy buyer “What is it you are wanting in your pet?” If they are wanting a soft family companion then they may select what might be considered a “washout” for the breed. If you are looking for a dog to be a family companion and a sport dog they may select an “average dog.” If you are looking for a working dog they will select the most serious puppy.
