Border Collie Rescue Ontario

By Lorraine Houston

Border Collie Rescue Ontario (BCRO) is a non profit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing border collies and border collie mixes in need. The group is committed to educating the public on the characteristics and needs of the breed. All dogs entering the program are spayed or neutered prior to placement. BCRO has been successfully assisting displaced and abandoned border collies for over 8 years. The group depends solely on volunteers and donations from the public to continue helping these special dogs. Their invaluable foster homes have been effective in rehabilitating and re-homing the dogs who come to need them and many of their members and adopters have gone on to be extremely successful and talented in the agility, disc, flyball, herding and obedience world.

Border Collies are a highly active medium sized breed. Both mental and physical stimulation are required to keep these dogs motivated. They are usually between 19 and 22 inches and have coats that can range from smooth, semi rough and rough. Unknown too many, border collies can come in a variety of colours including red/white, tri, blue/white, merled and the traditional black and white. Today, Border Collies can be seen in many aspects of life; working on farms, at sheep herding trials, they are fast becoming one of the most popular dogs for the dog sport enthusiast and of course, are family pets. “If you are thinking of adding this wonderful breed into your life it is important to be aware of the time, effort, energy, insight and commitment it takes to make the relationship a success” said Cindy Boht, BCRO director. With more forethought and solid advice, one can appreciate that a dog bred for centuries to run many miles in a day, tirelessly herd livestock, think and react intuitively will not always slip effortlessly into the role of a quiet and undemanding pet just because that is what we want.

 Quincey

Qunicey is CBCA registered 5 year old male Border Collie who has been neutered and vetted. He was relinquished to BCRO from his owner when he began exhibiting typical border collie traits. The people had acquired him from a “free to good home” ad in a local newspaper. Quincey has definitely not had the opportunities in life that he deserved however; he has blossomed in foster care. He is a super active boy that loves to play frisbee, he has a great recall and is good around other dogs. Quincey has achieved his RPT and Q's in Disc dog and also has been herding tested with his foster mom. By offering him these new opportunities, it just goes to show what he’s capable of! And also shows that at any age a dog can easily learn, bond and adapt. Quincey does have some hind end sensitivities that his new owner will need to be aware of. He is not a reactive or timid dog and will happily go up to people to get some pats. This boy is the kind of dog a Border Collie lover would adore; he will be an exceptionally loyal companion. A home without cats or kids is being recommended. For more info on BCRO and/or dear Quincey, please visit www.bordercollierescueont.com or contact Cindy Boht/Chris Lavery at 416.536.2910 or email mosstheboss2000@rogers.com

Since 1976, Lorraine Houston has been involved in the plight of homeless, abandoned dogs and has worked in animal shelters in the US and Canada. She is a feature writer for Dogs, Dogs, Dogs! a Maxwell Award winner from the Dog Writers Association of America, an evaluator for Therapeutic Paws of Canada and the director of Speaking of Dogs an organization devoted to education, outreach and rescue. Lorraine is an advocate for humane training, rescue/shelter dog adoptions and relationships built on kindness and respect. She and her family have fostered hundreds of dogs and found home for thousands of others. www.speakingofdogs.com

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