Sound sensitivity question

Lenny · 01-05-2012, 02:35 PM

I've been interested in SAR for a long time. Read everything, "got lost" for several teams, etc... but things are lined up and I'm finally gonna pull the trigger... well, in about three months. I just had rotator cuff surgery.

So, I have a question about dogs. I'm gonna wait at least a year to get myself proficient before I think about handling a K9. I want to train a border collie, but I know they have a high rate of sound sensitivity. Is that something you can test as a pup or does it develop later? If so, would you be safer getting a older(1 y/o) rescue?

**ladylaw203** · 01-05-2012, 04:34 PM

I have several friends with certified BCs around the Bryan and Dallas area. I have certified many for NNDDA. I can hook you up with them if you like. What you may have seen, are BCs who are soft/nervy and subsequently showed sound sensitivity. The ones I see used successfully are well bred herding stock not show stock.
And yes, I gunfire test all of my litters. you can also test this other ways. The nerve strength is something you must test for.

Also, understand that BCs are a little different. they will not take a heavy hand,but really do not need it. Very smart dogs as well.

Lenny · 01-06-2012, 08:46 AM

Thanks Renee. It's good to hear the herding stock are usually solid. I have a BC mix but she's more mix than BC. She's very laid back and almost lazy. I will definitely take you up on your contact in the Dallas area when the time comes.

Catu · 01-06-2012, 10:10 AM

I've had not so good experiences with Border Collies, one personal and the other two from teammates. Those were agility lines BC, sadly the emphasis in the sport has made some dog pretty neurotic and thin nerved, on the other hand I've seen excellent BC in Europe from Italian and German teams. I'm sure the breed as a whole is pretty good in SAR and one I'd be willing to try myself again.

**ladylaw203** · 01-06-2012, 10:18 AM

exactly. depends on the bloodline. The BCs from the UK are very nice and used extensively as explosive detector dogs. The conformation lines are something to steer clear of.

Lenny · 01-06-2012, 03:28 PM

I've read stuff about how "true" border collie stock breeders didn't/don't want the AKC acknowledgement because of the breed for show thing.

**jocoyn** · 01-09-2012, 10:12 AM

The 2nd SAR dog I met was a BC from herding lines. He was an incredible dog with many real finds in searches. Once I hid in a tree and he climbed the tree to get to me.

01-05-2012, 02:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lenny Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 389	Sound sensitivity question I've been interested in SAR for a long time. Read everything, "got lost" for several teams, etc... but things are lined up and I'm finally gonna pull the trigger... well, in about three months. I just had rotator cuff surgery. So, I have a question about dogs. I'm gonna wait at least a year to get myself proficient before I think about handling a K9. I want to train a border collie, but I know they have a high rate of sound sensitivity. Is that something you can test as a pup or does it develop later? If so, would you be safer getting a older(1 y/o) rescue?

01-05-2012, 04:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
ladylaw203 Moderator Join Date: May 2001 Location: Beaumont,Texas Posts: 4,752	I have several friends with certified BCs around the Bryan and Dallas area. I have certified many for NNDDA. I can hook you up with them if you like. What you may have seen, are BCs who are soft/nervy and subsequently showed sound sensitivity. The ones I see used successfully are well bred herding stock not show stock. And yes, I gunfire test all of my litters. you can also test this other ways. The nerve strength is something you must test for. Also, understand that BCs are a little different. they will not take a heavy hand,but really do not need it. Very smart dogs as well. __________________ Renee Utley Port Authority Police KaroSkocickaSamotaZM,ZOP,ZPU,FPR,FPR,ZVV1,ZZZ,ZZP, RHE,ZM TART, IRO titled SAR dog ZVV1 Gabbi Mariko Bohemia ZVV1 Jessy Vikar www.nndda.org, Certifying official http://www.voneintzeshepherds.com

01-06-2012, 10:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
Catu Crowned Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Valdivia, Chile Posts: 4,276	I've had not so good experiences with Border Collies, one personal and the other two from teammates. Those were agility lines BC, sadly the emphasis in the sport has made some dog pretty neurotic and thin nerved, on the other hand I've seen excellent BC in Europe from Italian and German teams. I'm sure the breed as a whole is pretty good in SAR and one I'd be willing to try myself again. __________________ "The dog does not need to be deranked so much as the people need to learn to act like people worth listening to" Suzanne Clothier. Diabla, my Daemon; SchH A, RH-T A Akela, my Direwolf; Work in Progress Bagheera, Long term puppy host

01-06-2012, 10:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
ladylaw203 Moderator Join Date: May 2001 Location: Beaumont,Texas Posts: 4,752	exactly. depends on the bloodline. The BCs from the UK are very nice and used extensively as explosive detector dogs. The conformation lines are something to steer clear of. __________________ Renee Utley Port Authority Police KaroSkocickaSamotaZM,ZOP,ZPU,FPR,FPR,ZVV1,ZZZ,ZZP, RHE,ZM TART, IRO titled SAR dog ZVV1 Gabbi Mariko Bohemia ZVV1 Jessy Vikar www.nndda.org, Certifying official http://www.voneintzeshepherds.com

01-09-2012, 10:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
jocoyn Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 8,052	The 2nd SAR dog I met was a BC from herding lines. He was an incredible dog with many real finds in searches. Once I hid in a tree and he climbed the tree to get to me. __________________ Nancy www.scsarda.org Grim (Grimmy Bear) & Beau (Bo-dee man) Waiting at the Bridge: Cyra, Toby, Rainbow, Linus, Oscar, Arlo & Waggles

01-06-2012, 08:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lenny Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 389	Thanks Renee. It's good to hear the herding stock are usually solid. I have a BC mix but she's more mix than BC. She's very laid back and almost lazy. I will definitely take you up on your contact in the Dallas area when the time comes.

01-06-2012, 03:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lenny Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 389	I've read stuff about how "true" border collie stock breeders didn't/don't want the AKC acknowledgement because of the breed for show thing.

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