Dave Slieght

[Somewhereyournot 1,117]

I wouldn't necessarily say that one is better than the other simply different.

 

In my humble opinion, based on the four kelpies I've had, I'd say that they don't always do "exactly as they're told" immediately and prefer to work off their own initiative. It depends on what I'm asking them to do, and my tone of voice (or panicked yell) but sometimes I'll get an immediate unequivocal response whereas other times they'll stop and look at me as if to say, "Are you sure?" Then, if I ask again they'll say, "Oh, alright then, if you're sure...but don't say I didn't warn you," as they usually know best.

 

I'm sure I've used this quote on here before but it kind of sums up the stereotypical differences: if you ask a collie to do something it'll do it and ask, "What next?" whereas if you ask a kelpie to do the same thing it'll ask, "Why?"

they sound abit like beardies from what people have said about beardies abit more of its "own" dog.

I got a dog here, beardy border grey x beardy grey x grey. And he's very beardy temp, but at same time if I ask him to do it now, he will. But never looks for me to give another command, he's abit of a loner, good with dogs unless they try it on. My next dog I think I want just beardy, but an open mind is always good. Thanks for reply.

[Neal 1,869]

I'd definitely agree with that. I've had three beardie crosses (with and without border blood) and I found them more like my kelpies the more beardie there was in them...or rather... the less border.

 

My favourite example was when I was walking across Coniston Moor through knee high heather with my first cross bitch and I was constantly kicking her in the chin as she stuck so close behind me so that she wouldn't have as much work to do in negotiating the heather. I finally turned around and asked her to bleep off (much to my embarrassment now that I'm older and wiser) which she did. I immediately felt guilty and tried to call her back but she refused and walked almost parallel to me but about fifty yards away. Over the space of several hundred yards she gradually drew closer...until I discovered that she'd been walking on a footpath. Boy, did I feel like a plonker!

[Somewhereyournot 1,117]

I'd definitely agree with that. I've had three beardie crosses (with and without border blood) and I found them more like my kelpies the more beardie there was in them...or rather... the less border.

 

My favourite example was when I was walking across Coniston Moor through knee high heather with my first cross bitch and I was constantly kicking her in the chin as she stuck so close behind me so that she wouldn't have as much work to do in negotiating the heather. I finally turned around and asked her to bleep off (much to my embarrassment now that I'm older and wiser) which she did. I immediately felt guilty and tried to call her back but she refused and walked almost parallel to me but about fifty yards away. Over the space of several hundred yards she gradually drew closer...until I discovered that she'd been walking on a footpath. Boy, did I feel like a plonker!

what beardy crosses have you had mate, I wouldn't mind a half x, but have access to all quarry on permission, so more inclined to 3/4, but it's finding one.

Be a great help knowing what half x lacked etc , as they don't throw same shape and build as border xs do.

[Neal 1,869]

 

I'd definitely agree with that. I've had three beardie crosses (with and without border blood) and I found them more like my kelpies the more beardie there was in them...or rather... the less border.

 

My favourite example was when I was walking across Coniston Moor through knee high heather with my first cross bitch and I was constantly kicking her in the chin as she stuck so close behind me so that she wouldn't have as much work to do in negotiating the heather. I finally turned around and asked her to bleep off (much to my embarrassment now that I'm older and wiser) which she did. I immediately felt guilty and tried to call her back but she refused and walked almost parallel to me but about fifty yards away. Over the space of several hundred yards she gradually drew closer...until I discovered that she'd been walking on a footpath. Boy, did I feel like a plonker!

what beardy crosses have you had mate, I wouldn't mind a half x, but have access to all quarry on permission, so more inclined to 3/4, but it's finding one.

Be a great help knowing what half x lacked etc , as they don't throw same shape and build as border xs do.

 

I had a 1/2 beardie, 1/2 greyhound bitch who was 22"; a 3/8 beardie, 3/8 border, 1/4 greyhound dog who was 24" and a 3/8 border, 1/8 beardie, 3/8 whippet, 1/8 greyhound bitch who was 19".

 

To be honest it was over twenty years ago and they all came from the same place (even the collie x racing whippet was from one of Hancock's collies) so my experience is both limited and out-dated. There are several people on here with far better knowledge and experience of beardie crosses than me.

 

However, out of mine, the first bitch (beardie only and sired by Remus) was without a doubt the most driven. She'd have a go at anything...including trying to catch a heron which landed in the beck which ran through my garden and some Canada geese in Tarn Hows! She was also the hardest I've ever had to break to sheep but when she was broken then she was 100% bomb proof. The 3/4 collie was the easiest to own and a joy to take out, though that could simply be down to my personal preference towards males. The collie x racing whippet was easily the most highly trained I've ever had and would do ​exactly as she was told but had virtually zero initiative. Good luck with whatever you choose to go for.

 

Apologies again for moving away from the theme of the thread. I tried to put a few smilies in too but I downloaded windows 10 yesterday and they don't seem to want to come up!

Edited December 6, 2015 by Neal