Mc Nabb Border collies.

I have the opportunity to inherit a Mc Nab Border collie within the week. Shes nine months old, fixed. Has anyone ever own one? And what are the pros and cons? Thanks,,,,

All I can tell you is that those dogs are very smart!

They are your standard herding dog. As cattle dogs they are hard hitting, tough dogs. My BC practically needs to be hit with a baseball bat to keep her from biting hooves while herding (common method of herding).

Pros: easy preasy to train.

Cons: do have some motion reactivity issues that can be hard to fix if you do not know how to deal.

Realistically if you've ever had a herding dog you probably won't find them to be any different than every other herder out there.

Like my dog I had to teach her when she is allowed to herd, and when she is not allowed. She would try to nip at the kids heels while they run, or chase animals, and so on. I just taught her a solid recall and none of these were an issue for me.

But when I give her the cue to herd, best get out of the way or she will die trying to round up cattle/sheep.

Do you have any idea how they are with chickens? I have 24 pinned up for most the time but do let them free range.

that's a hard question to answer. Prey drive manifests differently in individual dogs. Herding is basically a modified prey drive.

If you're asking if the dog can be left out unsupervised with the chickens... Maybe, if you're lucky. If it was raised around chickens since 8 weeks old, most likely would be okay with chickens unsupervised. At 9 months old, whew itd be harder to change or trust. All it would take is one trigger and you might lose all the chickens.

Supervised though, yes with training you definitely can have them around chickens. Some dogs are naturally good around other animals. Many are not, but putting a couple months into basic training would pretty much set you for life.

I hope that answers the question best as I can. I'd need to see the dog in person to give an more accurate evaluation on how she would be with chickens.

All I can tell you is that those dogs are very smart!

 Then I'm sure Andy won't want a dog that is smarter then him! 

GoGoGo... busy busy busy... Gotta have something to do all the time. If left alone a lot, can go sorta bonkers (obsessive compulsive) This is a companion dog like no other. Will be by your side for life and without training can be a NIGHTMARE (as can any dog.) The primary quality that these dogs are bred for is their herding ability; they are well known as cattle herders, but can herd other animals, such as horses, sheep, and llamas. McNabs are well-mannered dogs, are hard-working, have good personal hygiene, and are friendly with small domestic animals such as cats and chickens, but require extensive grounds in which to run and are happiest with a job to do. The McNab can also be an excellent deer and boar hunting dog. The McNab is also less 'high strung' or obsessive than the Border Collie. They were bred to have more "backbone" than the original Border Collie and are more protective.[1] It is common for a McNab to bark while they herd. They should exercise physically but also mentally by learning new activities or 'tricks' and being allowed to explore and learn new environments. This breed is sociable with other dogs and humans.

Good dogs, I'd take it iof you have time to work with it...

This is pretty much what I have been reading, we are in the country now on three acres and as much as I am outside I think it would be a good match.

If understood vocabulary is the measure of intelligence, then the border collie is the smartest of all dog species. They bark a lot but other than that, great dogs. Probably a good kayak dog too. Probably would only take a week to teach her to bring you a beer. 

Do they tolerate getting hotboxed aka clambaked?   

Just realized there oragins are from Mendocino county. I get to meet her today after work.. Pretty excited...



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McNab_dog

These are herding dogs with a HIGH level of energy that has to be directed somewhere or you will be having problems.  My neighbor has 2 with 20 sheep on 5 acres and it's no where near enough room.  The dogs run the sheep if left alone with them, and bark non-stop when not with the sheep but can see them.  They started with one, thought a 'companion' would mellow her out, but ended up with twice the issues.

Have an exit plan if you do take on the dog in case it doesn't work. 

My BC has sky high energy levels. A lot of problems like that are because people never teach the dog an "off" switch. Much like a child throwing a tantrum when they don't get their way, a dog needs to be taught that there is a time and place for energy, and a time for quiet.

I couldn't outlast my dog if I tried. She knows when I say "hush", it means she won't be getting any activity from me for a while and needs to either play by herself with toys, or take a nap.

Yeah I have been reading a lot, apparently the person I am getting her from raised here in a neighborhood, she has been to some sort of obedient school and has had a bark color on for some part. She has three acres to run on now and I'm sure I can keep up with her, living ten minutes from the beach and never in the house unless I'm gonna sleep. Worse case scenario I have tons of friends and family members with ranch land.. Looking forward to it...

Teach it to heard mushrooms