Audacity update

​It seems as if we are reaching a milestone in her recovery process, as she’s been using her leg more! She’s becoming more stable on it and it feels like it’s finally gaining some noticeable muscle. The atrophy from the crate rest phase was intense and it’s been so slow to gain muscle mass but we’re finally seeing some changes for the better.

Unfortunately, her mental state still isn’t right where she had left off before the incident and I’m wondering if we will get back to it. As she’s grown up, she’s shown some temperament aspects that I don’t prefer to produce/pass on, which is why I was leaning towards washing her from the breeding program before the health things showed up. I am big on letting dogs mature before making final calls on them, unless it’s something that’s been very apparent from an early age and has remained consistent, and Daci does have so many traits I do like. Oh well! Some things aren’t meant to be. A couple of her siblings have what I view as unfavorable temperaments as well, mostly lack of drive and high arousal. While these are fairly “minor” issues and many don’t mind them, it’s not what I am striving to produce. Arousal does not equal drive! Many people can’t tell the difference between those two things but as a behaviorist, I’ve seen both and gotten to know both well. It doesn’t make Audacity or her siblings bad dogs whatsoever! They’re lovely dogs and only a couple of them have these “problems.” Mostly their owners are all super happy with them and I am so glad for that! But it’s certainly made me rethink the types of pairings I want to do and the type of Border Collies I want to be working with in my breeding program. After experiencing many full and half show lines through my own and also those I’ve done behavioral modification on, they aren’t my preferred representation of the breed. I prefer the genetics and temperament of working and some sporting lines and moving forward I will not be using show lines in my program. It’s cool to be in a breed with so much variety, as you can really choose what fits you best!