Talking Border Collies?

[April Quist]

char...@mailgate.seer.com wrote:
: When I come home from work or when I wake up in the morning, my one year
: old Border Collie will "talk" to me (it's not because he has to go out).
: I don't know how to describe it, it's not a bark, growl or whine (almost
: a yodeling sound). I was wondering if this is a common trait of border
: collies.

My first BC, Shiloh, was pretty quiet, but she *would* make a growly,
"hurry up, Mom!" sound when she was trying to get me to throw her ball
and I was ignoring her.

The two BCs I have now, Levi and Caper, are *very* vocal. They both have
a huge variety of growls, barks, and whines that they use depending on
what they want.

: Also, does anyone know of any border collie organizations in North
: Carolina?

Can't help you there.

April with Levi and Caper, the BC Hurricanes
aqu...@netcom.com

[char...@mailgate.seer.com]

When I come home from work or when I wake up in the morning, my one year
old Border Collie will "talk" to me (it's not because he has to go out).
I don't know how to describe it, it's not a bark, growl or whine (almost
a yodeling sound). I was wondering if this is a common trait of border
collies.

Also, does anyone know of any border collie organizations in North
Carolina?

[VW888]

Charlene,
I don't think this is breed specific. I have 2 rescued labs and one of
them is quite a chatter box. I understand most of his vocalizations but
sometimes I think he chats just to hear his own voice!!
Valerie, Belle, Hoss (the chatterbox)

[ABAM74]

I also have a "talking dog"-please read the following:

Subject: Re: Summer Institute/Canine Behavior and Cogn
From: aba...@aol.com (ABAM74)
Date: 29 Jan 1996 23:18:29 -0500
Message-ID: <4ek66l$1...@newsbf02.news.aol.com>

Dear Sir,
This is a serious note, not a joke. My dog "talks". This is not a trick we
taught him. Pete is a Sheltie. He began "talking" after we DID teach him a
trick-we taught him to say "I want some" in growly syllables when offered
a treat. The next day he said it to his empty dish (this is truth). A few
days later we recognized that he was saying "outside". Not just syllables
but moving his mouth and toungue to manipulate the quality of the sound.
He now "says" (without teaching or prompting) several words and even
phrases that we recognize, including: I want some, outside, yeah, ball,
want to go for a ride (ride is the clearest word he says), play. Again,
this is not a joke.
This dog is also self-aware. After several weeks of barking at "the dog"
reflected in mirrors, windows, etc., we caught him literally making faces
at himself in a full-length mirror one day. He also responds to "where's
Pete" by either going to the mirror and touching it with his nose or
pointing at his feet. I have NEVER seen any dog do any of these things
before. Is it normal?
Barb M.

[Andrea Erichsen]

Hi, I too have Australian Cattle Dogs that actually "talk", like Scooby
Doo, really! It's nothing like a bark or howl (although I can get the
pack howling like wolves and that's GREAT FUN!!!). but, the talking is
very very distinct and its use is also distinct...like when they have
something urgent to say about going somewhere, or first thing in the
morning as a greeting, or as an initiation of play. I'll never forget
the incredulous moment two years ago, when my heeler Pele came into my
bathroom first thing in the morning and said simply;;"Noah Adams" and
left...and I stood there in shock and began laughing
hysterically..thinking.."Is that his real name?".
Who else has talking dogs? I believe Border Collies would talk
because they're another very intelligent, alert and "thoughtful" breed.

[scooter]

My BC does this. Especially when she first gets up in the morning and
stretches. Gee... I thought I had the only one that did this!

[Andrea Erichsen]

Re the talking Corgy....it is definitely not normal but in a very good
way! Your dog sounds like a riot to hang out with!! and I believe your
stories because I have talking dogs myself.

[Debbie Jacobs]

My Spaniel mix also has a lot to say in the morning. It's funny isn't it?
We amuse children by pretending he's answering our questions. deb

In article <4frcik$q...@nico.bway.net>, Maxine <jenn...@bway.net> wrote:

> My Border Collie, Suzie Q., "talks" first thing in the morning! She
also "whispers" -a
> sort of fake bark/breathy kinda sound.
>
> I could swear she's trying to tell my something...
>
> -------
> Maxine
> "Love, where is thy sting?"

[Maxine]

[Barb Shoemaker]

In article <4frcik$q...@nico.bway.net>, Maxine <jenn...@bway.net> wrote:

Maxine,

I have one of those talking BC's also. She is very vocal and I swear she
is trying to speak like a human. It's funny to hear her especially when I
am on the telephone and people ask is that a baby in the background.
Technically no but it really is!

Barb and Sable

[vicke...@gmail.com]

My daughter had a Border Collie who had several phrases: go outside, play ball, and grandma’s here. Here boyfriend didn’t believe until one day when Duke said, “ Go outside. Play ball?” When Duke was ignored he plopped down in front of the boyfriend in utter disgust. He then proceeded to ignore the boyfriend.
We have Duke’s sister Maya. She is not a talkative Border Collie but now that she is older (now 14) she is beginning to talk. I’ve heard her come down the hall to the kitchen on two separate occasions saying, “ I want Mama.”