I figured I'd insert a warning about Border Collies some people underestimate. Border Collies are high energy dogs, FULLTIME. They require a LOT of exercise and need a task when they are bored otherwise they can wreck your home and cause mayhem on the street.

Without care that is especially focused on their traits and behaviour of the dog, they can become an unexpected danger to you and those around you. Imagine a large muscular dog hidden inside the small fluffy appearence of this creature and that is about as strong and tireless as they can be.

If your dog developes the habit of chasing cars because it needs a job it will be strong enough to drag you on the street in front of the car in an attempt to herd it. A border collie needs very clear directions and a convincing leader and can lose control over it's herding instinct even when well-trained.

Border Collies are smart but might not nearly spend their intelligence as much on learning tricks as you might wish for. They are very convincing charmers and are capable of acting like small frail and neglected dogs to manipulate their owners or other humans. Don't be fooled, the dog isn't nearly as aware what it truly needs as a well informed owner. The dog might in fact attempt to act cute when an attempt to correct it's behaviour is made and negotiate it's way out.

Without room or time or effort to keep a Border Collie and exercise, discipline and care to keep them under control they can become a serious threat to urban life. They can neurotically destroy objects at home for example or develope anxieties one notably being the fear of being left alone.

Collies can learn to open locked doors by mere observation or climb stairs, furniture or ladders or grab owners 'play things' and do doggy things with it. They could grab things like phones or cigarettes or the tv remote in attempt to use it like their owner but eventually hurt themselves or destroy it by accident.

Don't get me wrong Border Collies are insanely good dogs to have if well informed and consistent with respect for it's true needs and will sometimes amazingly learn things you never made an attempt to teach them but they are living creatures that are highly dependant on good discipline, exercise and controlled affection. Only then true love can flourish.