DOGS ARE CLEVER ANIMALS

One of the most clever dogs of all is the Border Collie. They have been used in Britain for sheep herding for many years--good genes.

My former neighbor's son lives in the country with his own Border Collie, named Rob. Rob used to herd the cat, as did my Shelties, since it is instinctual with herding dogs. One night the young man was awakened by Rob barking loudly and freezing on the bed. The fellow looked out, and there was a black bear trying to get in. The young man banged loudly and the bear left. The dogs seem to enjoy trying to outsmart everyone, even in play.

Some years ago, when we owned a camper, we traveled into New Hampshire and down a road to a farmer's field. There, a little stand and tent were set up for a sheepdog trial, with many people already gathered. Border Collies, Australian sheepdogs, and other types awaited their turn. We marveled as the sheep (we were at their end) obeyed the dogs as they herded them along a course. The handler was so far away, we could barely see him (a woman won). He used hand signals, whistles, and calls. The sheep were separated, herded , and eventually put in a pen. The sight thrilled us at their cleverness.

We traveled also to a more organized Border Collie trial in the US, where we saw the young dogs trained, as they crept, chased, and herded the sheep about. Most of the brood bitches, we were told, came from Scotland or Wales.

One day, on our way home from a trip to the Gaspe, we stopped in a small town on the upper St. Lawrence to have a private meeting with a shepherd, who at one time owned 200 sheep, and now retired, kept five to train his six Border Collies. He took them through their paces one at a time (in the rain), then showed them together on a stand, 'preening' themselves. What charmed us the most was that every time he turned back to us, they jumped down, did their own thing, but kept close to the stand. When the shepherd's head turned back to them, up they hopped, as good as gold. He knew. He said that because they are such clever dogs they must be trained thoroughly at three months, and again at six months, or you have lost them.

I would love to have a Border Collie, but they are far too clever a dog for me. Do you think they are the most clever of the dogs? Or another breed?