Borador- labrador collie mix

 Borador, we got this pup in the fall of 2022, and was a dog that looked more like a black labrador when he was a pup. We got him around 4 to 5 months old, and was a biter. He loved to bite. He loved to eat rocks. You could take him for walks, and, he would start picking up rocks and chewing on them. Some, he swallowed. For sure, we tried to give him a treat, to get the rock out of his mouth before he swallowed some of them. We had to learn also, to take him on trails where there was no little rocks for him to chew or swallow. He would, puke them up, at night and it made us worry about him very much. Then winter came, froze the ground for 4 months or so. Good thing, as he forgot about picking up rocks as the winter passed and 2023 summer is here. He now, likes chasing and fetching sticks. 

He did do messes in the house the first 2 months we had him at the house. He eventually, learned to go outside to do his things. And, we became automatic at it, to bring him out in the morning ( he will ask in the morning, grunt, whimper if we forget) and we try to bring him out regularly to suit his schedule. If not, he usually will run to the door and stay there to tell us he needs to go do his thing... Very good dog for that once trained.

This dog, is probably 2 feet or so high, and nearly 4 feet long. We used to buy him stuffed toys, but he will destroy them and haul them apart within a matter of a half hour. Now, we try to buy him non splintering bones or wood, to chew on, and plastic bones with the ability to push treats in them, or Kone products that you can put a bit of peanut butter or cheese treat in the middle to keep him occupied. 

He is a high energy dog. He has a deep bark. I take him for walks, when I can, and play outside throwing a stick and he will go and happily run for it. Problem is, he will not take it back and drop it near my side. He would need training for that, and, I really do not have the time for it, so I have many sticks and just throw them all around the yard till he picks them all up and is out of breath and energy afterwards lol.

He is also a loyal dog. First dog, I ever had, that I seen how he really rushes up to be petted or lick your hands. You call his name, and, he comes right to you most of the time. He will, stay in the yard, unless a dog is walking on the street, then he may take off. I seen him escape from the house, a door opening too wide by mistake, and he will eventually come into the house if we do not go outside with him. Not like our past dogs, who would aimlessly run into the neighbors yards... This Dog, stays, usually near the house but cannot say it is the same with all of them...

This dog, was 500 $ to buy. Many dog breeds, are now in the thousands of dollars, and I feel sorry for families who really want a dog, but do not have the money to get one. So many people, neuter their dogs, spay them, so then it is very hard to get a dog now in our rural area. One time, they were giving them away. The SPCA is a great place to get a dog, for a small fee, but, we looked there before getting this dog and there was none available at the time in 3 northern SPCA places. I could not believe it. After we got our dog, then, we seen dogs becoming available at the SPCA. Maybe, we were just unlucky, but yet lucky to get our own Borador.

So, the Borador, is a loyal breed. He used to chew different things and stuff ( Furniture) as time goes on. Here, he had chewed the leg of a wooden table, and ripped up an old sofa we had ( good thing we had old furniture here). He destroyed leashes. He destroyed collars. He destroyed harnesses. I put steel chain near the first 3 feet of link to his collar to help with that lol. The dog seemed to stop chewing furniture to date. But, he has not given up on shoes, especially, womens shoes lol. But, it is not as bad as it used to be. His chewing problem has gone down 60 % or better from when he was a pup. Also, he is a breed that other people respect, He looks muscular, he is fast ( I would not catch him if he did not want to come back to the house when he escapes outside) and his claws needs clipping every 2 weeks... If not, his claws, grow sharp, and when he jumps ( he does love to jump on you cause he loves you!), he will make white marks on your arms like a cat would lol... So, we cut his nails every two weeks... Besides that, a very entertaining friend, a very active dog... Where we bought him, they told us to take care that he does not jump from high places too much with his front legs, could cause problems when he gets older... We try, not to let him, jump off of high places... I thought he was a dog that would not shed much hair. In the winter, hardly nothing. Come Spring and Summer, the old swiffers come in handy! He can jump up and steal your breakfast on the counter also! The other day, I made an omelette with cheese, and put it far from the edge of the kitchen table, so I thought. I went to the washroom, only to come back realizing my omlet had dissappeared, but my dog was looking at me licking his lips... Oh well... Watch your food around this dog lol! He can put his snout pretty high on a table and pretty far down! 

There you have it,  the story of a Borador...