My rescue "Aussie" is a Border Collie

[Frostine]

And the best dog ever. He's home and we are so thrilled with him (if you don't know what I'm talking about, see the "I'm getting a rescue aussie" thread). We went to pick him up last Friday and we were petting him, getting to know him a bit, and DH says to the foster mom, "Do you think he's an Aussie", and she says, "No, he's a actually a border collie". Okaaaay. I was nervous because I keep hearing how difficult bc's are to own, but he is fantastic. He's definitely a bc, moves like a bc, has a full tail, he's smaller than an aussie, etc, but he's more laid back than I expected. He's energetic and a chewer, but no worse than any mixed breed I've had in the past. He has some training already, he is PERFECT on lead, housetrained, crate trained, sits and waits for his leash and for his food, and he is soooo sweet. He just crawls in my lap randomly sometimes for a snuggle. Great with the kids, great with other dogs. He's just a dream. And we named him Shiner, by the way.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/tabickman/014_14-2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/tabickman/011_11-1.jpg

[agilityk9trainer]

Yep. He's a BC! I don't know if anyone else has seen this, but it's my experience that the blue merle BCs aren't quite as ramped up as some of the Black and Whites or any of the Red and Whites I've seen.

This isn't at all a scientific evaluation..just my personal experience that may or may not be at all accurate.

Congrats, though. He's a beauty!!

[Katlovesdogs]

omg what a find, he is absolutely gorgeous! and so good aswell, what an angel!

[Borzoi mad]

No wonder you are so thrilled. He is gorgeous.

Good luck with him.

[Monkey]

I love his little pirate patch!!!!
Congrats and I look forward to more photos.

[skunkstripe]

Glad it's working out for you! The important thing is that you're happy and that Shiner is happy. And that's what it sounds like! :)

[Aussies Rock]

Good for you! Nice looking dog too. BC's are very smart and if you work them, give them a job to keep them mentally and physically challenged they make great house dogs. If they aren’t challenged then they get into trouble.

[crim]

Aussies really look sometimes like BC's. My friends dog is great example of that.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b230/nallehukanvega/Parhaimmat%20otokset/1.jpg

This dog is really Aussie. It is also registered in Finnish Kennel Club and its parents are from US show line ;) Beautiful dog I think, but show judges aren't really thinking same way...

[esp1975]

One of the hobby herding places outside Seattle actually mentions that they have a lot of people who come to them saying they have an Aussie and they have to tell them its a BC (based on herding style) and vice versa. It seems to be a very common mistake, especially when the BC is a merle or the Aussie is two tone (instead tri or merle).

Looking at the way your Shiner (who is absolutely gorgeous) is lying down in the second picture, I say, yeah, definitely a BC. My Aussie would never curl quite like that.

But honestly, you are not going to run into any more problems with a BC than you would with an Aussie. They were bred for similar purposes and have similar intelligence (high) and energy (high). Just make sure to give him a "job" before he finds one for himself.

[Aussies Rock]

My Maddie will curl up just like that at the end of the day. Real deal Aussie (DNA). Aussies and BC herd in different ways, generally speaking. The Aussie will work close up and "muscle" the herd with nips and barks. The BC is more of an outside player a "strong eyed" herder. They will rather stare down the herd. The general styles are different but there are exceptions to these rules with some dogs of either breed.
The Red picture from Crim looks like a BC with those pointed ears, IMHO

[Frostine]

Here's a couple more pics, he's a skinny guy, I'm trying to put some weight on him, but he's still doing great and playing really well with my shelties.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/tabickman/boomer1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/tabickman/001_1-1.jpg

[RomeoOhRomeo]

He is adorable!!!! I love the blue merle coloring :D

[Aussiepaws]

Shiner is beautiful. And yes I'd definitely say he's a border collie. As the owner of Aussies I have to say at times it can be really hard to differentiate between the two breeds as they do have some similar characteristics.

However they herd differently. Borders will be much more intense and use more eye than Aussies. Also I find for the most part Aussies have a broader head and muzzle, have a little less length of leg and are a bit broader through the ribs.

While high energy and definitely needing a job to do, it doesn't mean that some can't be mellower than others. My first Aussie could have probably matched some Borders out there for energy. In fact Shiner sort of reminds me of my late dog Zephyr in the way he's marked.

Sounds like he has had some good training before you got him. They can be really sweet dogs.

[melissa2007]

I didn't know BC came in merle like that,man you have a gorgeous dog there, im jelous ;)

[colliemommy]

yes he is stunning ,but then i would say that ,as i have two blue merle border collies ,they are the most clever ,dogs you will be lucky enough to have share your world . it took me ages to get used to the good looks of this fantastic looking dogs . :):) i love mine and it makes me smile when people see me walking in the park with them ,they all take a second look ,im so proud of mine .