I LOVE BCs!!! They are sweethearts, well-behaved IF you give them something to do, something to learn. BC's are so sensitive, not a good choice of dog for anyone who has a bad temper or hollers around a lot. (well, no dog is!). Positive re-inforcement only. My Buddy rarely hears a "No", and he tends to take it real serious if he does get a "no". Buddy acts as if he was hit or something. He always has to make sure we still like him if he gets a "no".
BCs WANT to do the right thing, if they know what that is. Our Buddy, we showed him the rules ONCE, and that was it. He stays out of the trash, (!) and he doesn't tear stuff up (but we do keep him pretty entertained and busy) he doesn't have any behaviour problems, really.
He DOES do hyper laps around the house most every day if he didn't get wore out enough that day, but we don't mind nor correct this, but enjoy it tremendously. We think this is hilarious, he looks to be enjoying his own energy. Yes, we do have to go replace all throw rugs where they should be, but other than that, no harm is done.
BC's can be a bit moody, is that the right word...i think. not like the almost always happy-faced kinda dogs, sometimes BCs seem more reserved or thoughtful...hard to describe what i mean, but sometimes they make such serious facial expressions. They have SUCH expressive faces, which, i guess most dog owners could say about their own dog, too.
BCs are not as prone to even trying to be lap-dogs as some breeds, (dang!) they tend to be more independent...Is one thing i wish is they were more snuggley, Buddy is getting more and more snuggley every day, but BCs are not known for prolonged snuggle time.
Still, they are little pieces of sunshine and happiness running through your home. Smile when you talk to them, or do something interesting. Lick you briefly when they are happy or something. Beautiful tail wags a lot.
He'll sit right beside me, but isn't as fond of putting his head on my lap, let along sitting on me, as some dogs are. so far.
He greets us with bondless enthusiasm when we come in, so much that it makes us laugh out loud every time. He almost always stays where he can see us, follows us closely all day long as we go about our chores. But doesn't care to sit on us much, that's just him.
He makes rounds to see where we all are, and does try to herd us into same room at times. He LOVES it if entire family is one room, ahhh, he relaxes, "my work here is done." kinda thing.
He LOVES, and i do mean, LOVES learning stuff. Nothing seems to please him more than figuring out something, and reaping the praise. Just spontaneous praise does not seem to elicit the same level of happiness as praise for learning something. He just beams when he has figured something out. Or playing a game that involves the whole family sends him into nirvana.
BCs wanna be with their people(ours did/do) Some disagree, but i think BCs tend to follow one person the most. One-man or one-woman dogs. Buddy loves the whole fam, but follows me like glue. Anyone else has to be doing something REEEALLY interesting to keep Buddy next to them if i am not in that room.
Last BC followed Craig. The rest of us were much loved til craig came home, then he was all about Craig.
Smart little things, learn stuff fast, especially if you are a good consistant trainer, who doesn't inadvertantly 'change' the cue without realizing it, a small difference in the cue means a lot to a BC.
In general, most BCs are friendly towards other dogs, and even most cats if given a chance to. My BCs have all been fairly protective, will stand up to anyone. Craig's adult son has a habit of punching Craig's arm in jest, Buddy runs over and barks warnings at him every time he does this, and watches the son closely for some time afterwards.
I think BCs are so good looking, especially if they have a tail tip that is white. Their tails are so nice, like feathery flags...BCs are such a Nice size dog, just right, not too small, not too big, can take 'em anywhere....and such natural looking dogs. Don't mind being brushed and groomed. Eventually clean their own selves off. Like being clean i think.
Can be obsessive. Buddy's obessessions are not too bad, he is mesmerized with plastic bags of any type. Will follow anyone with a plastic bag of any type. (All new toys have arrived in plastic bags, and we carry treats in lil plastic bags.) He has a few others, but none are problems.
No drool! I'm appreciating this about our dog since our friends dog drools so much, so much, gets all over Buddy....
BCs don't shed a ton, just a springtime blowout, which is not off the hook except for about a week or two, and is easily managed with daily brushing and frequent baths to speed up the process. Ha, i just clipped off Buddy's haunches/thigh fur, reeeally short, to help him stay cool, is sooooo cute!!
GET A BORDER COLLIE!! if you really enjoy interacting with your dog.
Good luck!