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Border Collie Advice!?

Okay i was wondering if a border collie would be a good dog for me to get? alright i live in a very rural area of southern indiana in the foot hills on a 250 acre farm with chickens and ducks but no livestock. I have 2 italian greyhounds and a golden retriever mix. My mom works at home so there would be some one there most of the time. we have 3 large lakes on my property. also if you know me you will know that before i get a dog i always do at least 5 months of research in both books and online! also i have more dog training and trick books than any child or adult i know! I do not live by any roads and do not have any neighbors so the dog would be able to run free without being restrained as do my other 3 dogs. i feed high quality origen dog food. I am willing to take this dog to the vet and dog classes( i have taken all of my previous dogs to dog classes). i know that this may sound bad and by no means i love my golden mix but i have found that even though she is smart she just isn't the kind of dog that is as high energy and as ready to learn as i would like that is why i want the kind of dog that is really food motivated and ready to learn and play whenever i am! when i am home i have lots of time to spend with him besides when i go to school but then while i am gone he can stay outside and run and play with my other dogs. keep in mind that although i am a kid i am highly intelligent and have had hands on dog training classes (i used to have a border collie Shepherd mix but i had to get rid of her because when i got her we had to move unexpectedly and get rid of her and then i lived in the city and now i know that is not the place for a BC.) also i will take her to sheep herding about once a week but im not sure where i can go around my area because like i said i live in a very rural area and i'm not sure where to take her although because i live in a rural farming community there is a lot of livestock such as cows, sheep, horses, and goats so if you can try and find a place where i can take her near spencer, indiana or near bloomington indiana that would be great ! i will play with her a lot and take it for walks around my property and groom her regually. also this dog will not be pent up in a crate all day like most dogs, this dog will be outdoors running free (with no leash or small fenced in area) with my other dogs most of the day but she will be allowed inside whenever she wants and will be allowed to get fresh food and water. but she will be let in at night to keep her away from the wolves and cougars . another thing is that this dog will have a lot of human interaction and will not be expected to just entertain itself outside for it will have other dogs to play with ( my iggy's love to run) and of course when i have the time i will play with her! also i promise that this dog will come from a good breeder or rescue and not a pet store or a backyard breeder because i am strongly against that! i need to get a dog that is friendly to both people and dogs and that will be very playful and willing to learn because i would eventually love to get him involved in agility and frisbee compititions if he gets to that level (i would love to have a dog that will actually catch the frisbees and balls and doesn't just retrieve them haha ; hints my golden mix)!!! thank you and please give me your advice and true opinion and some advice about your collie! thank you and i value your opinion also if you happen to have a BC please give me your email address so that i can ask you some more questions in detail!

Public Comments

1. I tell you the biggest concern i have had with a border collie, is that they are smart!, You must make sure you have an area which is enclosed and where they can't escape as in (dig a tunnel). For me we had much hassle trying to chase it when it escaped. They are smart dogs beautiful dogs but they requre walks and a good situated area. Also they require a ton of grooming and showers with specialized dog washing products as they do shed their hair every 2 months or so. I didn't really take the time to read all what you have to say because that is a damn lot of words, well i hoped i helped.
2. I suggest that you form this into proper paragraphs, not a lot of people will be willing to read that blob. However, "That is why i want the kind of dog that is really food motivated" I have yet to meet a BC that *is* food motivated. My Border Collie works because *he* wants to or because *I* want him to. Not because I am holding a treat in my hand. He rarely wants to eat all of his food in one sitting. (He always does, but he never really "enjoys" it). Also, you are going to need to walk with your BC. Just giving him the 250 acres to run and a couple of other dogs isn't going to be enough. BC's need structured exercise. You need to be out there walking/jogging/biking with the BC. Mine gets at least 2 hours of structured off-leash running each day. Also the job. On top of the physical stimulation (structured exercise), BC's also need a ton of mental stimulation. So any kind of training - to get the BC to think. As well as a sort of "job." A job is essentially anything that gets the BC to think and work. Herding is the most ideal, but it can also be dog sports like you mentioned - agility, disc, flyball etc. If a BC doesn't get the physical and mental stimulation he/she needs, they tend to become destructive and neurotic. Add: Huh, my BC isn't in an enclosed area at all. He could easily leave if he wanted to, but never has. Bet that has something to do with properly exercising him hmmmm And a good brushing once a day is fine for grooming.
3. Yes, they would be a fine dog for you.
4. The dog is extremely agile, able to crouch, spring and corner skilfully for the purpose of driving the recalcitrant sheep or cattle into line. The Border's coat should not be overly abundant yet should be double and thick enough to be weather resistant. In appearance it is most like the collie but with shorter length of feathers. There is a "smooth coat" variety of this breed, however this variety appears mostly in Great Britain and the most popular type of coat is the "rough coat". The dog is of medium height and build and comes in many colors, but white should never be predominant. This breed is highly instinctive. Coincidentally, both The Border collie and the Newfoundland have been used in the genetic studies of the Human Genome Research Project as the DNA markers for comparison of strong inherited behavioral tendencies. The Border Collie is noted as one of the most intelligent of breeds and is not happy without a job to do. It learns quickly and enjoys the challenge of learning. This is not a dog who will be happy left alone for hours in a house and also should not be left unsupervised in an unfenced area. This dog needs mental and physical stimulation to be happy and healthy. About Border Collies - http://www.dog-pound.net/collie/border-collie-information.htm