Home, Border Collie puppies, merle

Border Collies have become an increasingly popular breed in recent years, due to the popularity of dog sports such as flyball and Agility, at which they excel. Originally bred to herd sheep and other stock in the most remote pastures of the world, they are a hearty breed with an abundance of energy and intelligence. Border collies do make wonderful pets, but definitely not for everyone. If you are an outgoing person who thrives on activity and love to try new things, then perhaps you would make an acceptable Border Collie owner.

I do believe that Borders are best kept indoors where they have constant family companionship, with the exception of true stock dogs that have a full time job tending their flocks (or herds). Border Collies need to learn new things, to challenge their minds and keep them healthy and active. An untrained Border is a frustration to his owner, and their neighbors. They should never be allowed to run free when unattended.

I recommend you enroll in an obedience class with your Border Collie. You and the dog will be much happier!!

Hello and Welcome to Tannin Border Collies.

My name is Patti Kowitz and I live in a rural community just outside Atkinson IL, which is east of the Quad Cities region of Western ILLINOIS. (Moline/Rock Island/Davenport)

I have been raising Border Collies since 1996. I enjoy working with the Border Collie, due to its incredible intelligence and eagerness to please its owner.

One of the first questions anyone asks me about my dogs, is how I came to the breed. That answer is quite simple; it's all the fault of my childhood neighbor's, the Hyatt family!! You see, I wanted my own dog, our family had labs. I wanted a dog just like the Hyatt's dog, Lady; they lived up the street on our little cul-de-sac. Lady was a beautiful Border Collie, or Borderline Collie (the inspiration for my hotmail address) as they called her, and she was so smart. She could do all kinds of tricks that never would have occurred to a lab :-)

Anyway, of course my parents said the usual "We already have 2 dogs, we don't need another, go play with the ones we have". But they were my brother's dogs, and didn't care much for snuggling or doing tricks. So anytime Lady was outside, I would secretly call her to my house and play with her, until her family went looking for her. When they went on vacations, they always let me 'puppy sit' Lady, so at least part of the time, she was mine!!

I still miss her, almost as much as her family does.

The next question I am often asked is, do you have sheep? Well, no I don't, but the Borders are quite happy here, herding each other, and various toys as well as the poor cats. Some of them have gotten to do a little stock work and maybe someday my life will go to the dogs, an I will have that little acreage in the country with sheep and ducks, the horses, a few cats, a chicken or two.......

Update: MY LIFE HAS GONE TO THE DOGS,

WE HAVE MOVED TO 'GONE TO THE DOGS FARM' IN ATKINSON IL. WE ALREADY HAVE THE DUCKS, CHICHENS AND BARN CATS, AND MORE HORSES!! but so far, no sheep :-)

I hope you enjoy visiting my website, take a look at the available page and see our most current pups. If you are considering adding a Border Collie to your life, remember to do a bit of research first, so you know what you are getting into. Puppies are cute, but only for a few months, they grow fast. Remember, this is a 12-15 year commitment.

Check out our guest book and share your love of the border collie with us!!

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple with a red hat

which doesn't go.......No No No.......

Grow Old With Dogs

When I am an old woman... I shall wear soft gray sweatshirts... and a

bandana over my silver hair..... and I will spend my social security checks on wine and my dogs. I will sit in my house on my well-worn chair and listen to

my dogs' breathing. I will sneak out in the middle of a warm summer

night and take my dogs for a run, if my old bones will allow... When

people come to call, I will smile and nod as I show them my dogs... and

talk of them and about them... ...the ones so beloved of the past and

the ones so beloved of today.... I will still work hard cleaning after

them, mopping and feeding them and whispering their names in a soft

loving way. I will wear the gleaming sweat on my throat, like a jewel

and I will be an embarrassment to all... especially my family... who

have not yet found the peace in being free to have dogs as your best

friends.... These friends who always wait, at any hour, for your

footfall... and eagerly jump to their feet out of a sound sleep, to

greet you as if you are a God. With warm eyes full of adoring love and

hope that you will always stay, I'll hug their big strong necks... I'll

kiss their dear sweet heads... and whisper in their very special

company.... I look in the Mirror... and see I am getting old.... this is

the kind of person I am... and have always been. Loving dogs is easy,

they are part of me. Please accept me for who I am. My dogs appreciate

my presence in their lives... they love my presence in their lives......

When I am old this will be important to me... you will understand when

you are old.... if you have dogs to love too. ~Author Unknown

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Being always grateful for each new day and for the blessing of you.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

This website is dedicated to my dear friend Lois Swanson. Although I only knew her for one year, and she has been gone far longer than that, I will always remember her, cherish every conversation I had with her, and miss her always. She lived her last days on her beloved farm, with her dogs, ponies and cows, and never had to leave them. What a lucky lady!!

The above 'poem' was one of her favorite!!