Purebred means a dog whose ancestry can be traced back for generations through dogs with similar characteristics. The term “pedigreed” usually means a purebred dog has the paperwork to prove his breeding. Organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) run a registry of purebred dogs. This paperwork is great for breeding purposes or if you intend to have your dogs in show, but for well-rounded family pets it is not a requirement. The owner even had registration paperwork on our chosen puppy. The owner was in the process of moving into town off his farm, and the paperwork was still on his farm. We failed to obtain the registration paperwork; but we haven’t missed them.

Our new puppy was named Vega. It was a correct analysis that Vega would help Buddy come out of his shell. Vega and Buddy have become a social pack.

We introduced Vega slowly to Buddy, not quite knowing what the reactions would be. We realized the introduction to Vega’s new home environment would be stressful. We originally left Vega in our sun room and let her investigate her new surroundings at her leisure. We did not interfere with the dogs becoming accustomed to each other. It is a stress to both Buddy and Vega to establish new relationships. There were no problems and challenges that occurred during this stage. They are now the best of friends, and one of them is missing the one is constantly looking for the other one.

The only problems we had with Vega when she first became acquainted with her new home was she liked to herd my ten year old grandson, and nip at his heels. I believe she must have chosen our grandson since he was the smallest member of the family. Herding our grandson and giving an occasional light nip to his ankle seemed like a funny game in the beginning. Our grandson was old enough to take control of this situation, and every time Vega would think about herding him, he stopped playing with Vega for a few minutes, then go back to the same game in the same area of the yard, with a few new rules. Vega and our grandson have a terrific relationship-when Zack controls the games.

Generally, two Border Collies are easier to live with than one. A one year minimum difference in age, one of each sex, and/or diverse personalities is the calmest way to live with two Border Collies. Let the dogs establish their own hierarchy of responsibilities to a certain degree. Remember that humans run the household and make the final rules. Vega and Buddy love to play “grizzly bear” with each other. As we watch them play, we notice they don’t actually come close enough to the other one to actually do any harm.

After about 18 months of having the two dogs together, my son and his girlfriend brought home another Border Collie puppy to our surprise. They had fallen into love with the puppy and had plans of keeping him here at our house until they could find a place for them to move in. At first my husband was dead set against having a third border collie in our home. However, within a few weeks of having Cody become a member of our Border Collie’s pack, it is now my husband who insists he stays a member of our Border Collie’s pack.