[Marches Farmer]

Like the look of these and they're not so popular as the Lab. Saw them at the Gun Dog Show last weekend but didn't get to talk to any of the owners.   Would like info on good and bad points as thinking ahead to when our oldest BC retires from work and I quite fancy a "companion" dog for a change rather than another member of the gang of "Work Me, Work Me" BC nutcases!

[nutterly_uts]

Not got one but met a few. All of them are best described as personality-less which I know seems harsh. Not one of them had any oomph or spark - just existed rather than lived. That said, its a tiny sample on a tiny island and I have no idea if they were related, nor did I spend more than a few hours with them.
Lovely looking though and very different to labs and even curly coated retrievers (also met some lifeless ones of those too!)

Does this help? http://www.cbrrescue.org/articles/dontbuy.htm

[Rosemary]

Get a corgi 

[doganjo]

The Chessie has the strongest personality of all retrievers. They are not as easygoing as many other retriever breeds;  they are more independent and are reputedly the hardest to train.

However, they are among the most durable hunting gundogs. They love to swim and can handle an entire day of retrieving anything from really cold water. They are a true outdoors person's dog and will happily accompany people on hikes, bike trips, jogs or camping excursions.  They do need a lot of exercise.

I've never owned one and would have no wish to - but I have a friend who has three, has bred two litters, and it is he who told me this about them.

[devonlady]

I have met a couple of CBRs. My thoughts were this... You give them a command, they look at you as though you are half witted and you can almost hear them saying "What, you think you know more than I do?" Shake their heads sadly and do what they were going to do anyway.
Lovely looking dogs and if you have endless time and patience and a strong sense of humour...........

[Jukes Mum]

A gundog trainer I know has always had them. His opinion was that they are hard headed working dogs, and very protective (over property, people etc). He said they used to be used to protect the fishing boats. Not sure how true that is.

[Me]

They are dull as ditch water. Hard headed, extremely strong. Difficult to train, excitable. I have met scary ones. Did I say dull??

[Marches Farmer]

I have met a couple of CBRs. My thoughts were this... You give them a command, they look at you as though you are half witted and you can almost hear them saying "What, you think you know more than I do?" Shake their heads sadly and do what they were going to do anyway.
Lovely looking dogs and if you have endless time and patience and a strong sense of humour...........

Sounds like my youngest Border Collie ...

[in the hills]

Only met a few .... at working tests.

I think they are good looking dogs.

Most of the handful that I encountered were quite aggressive to other dogs and to people. Tended to growl at anyone/ any dog approaching them.

[SallyintNorth]

Most of the handful that I encountered were quite aggressive to other dogs and to people. Tended to growl at anyone/ any dog approaching them.

Or another way to look at that is they're good communicators.

A dog that growls to give a warning and keep people / other dogs away is way preferable to one that's actually aggressive and attacks without warning.

[Marches Farmer]

True, and reassuring when you're in the fields and you know you have a deterrent near the house and sheds.

[doganjo]

Sorry, but I'm not in agreement with that.  I want a happy well adjusted friendly dog that won't get itself in trouble - remember these new damned dangerous dog laws are all about threat rather than what a  dog might actually do.

My Brittanys would lick any intruders to death but my goodness they'd have their ear drums busted first.  "Alert Mum" is their catchphrase.  Can be a bit annoying when it's just that one of the hens is cackling out of turn 

[Marches Farmer]

Outright aggression - definitely not.  A growl in the right place would perhaps not go amiss if you lived on one of the 17 local farms that had a quad bike stolen over the course of three days last month ...  The gang is moving around the country - you have been warned!

[Me]

A travelling fellow with an aggressive manner towards me took an unhealthy interest in our quad, Hazel (our much loved GSDx) showed frenzied, chain-chewing, eye popping outright aggression (as is her want) from the end of her chain (next to the quad). Quads were stolen that night less than five miles away. Not mine (good on Hazel). CCTV passed on to plod.

[in the hills]

It does depend how you look at it, SITN and yes there is a difference and it may well not be outright 'aggression'.

Some breeds are more likely, IMO, to give those warning/guarding/ defensive growls than others. Can be useful but can also be a problem.

The fact that my working lab growls as people approach could be seen as a good thing and living where we live can be a 'comfort' at times. And I have to admit that when my daughter goes out walking on her own, it is the lab. that I tell her to take and not the Flattie. However, I would probably overall, sooner that she didn't have that trait when I'm walking through towns/villages. Some people don't see it as a positive when we're out in that situation and it could get you into difficult situations if she wasn't well trained/obedient.

Depends where you live and what you see as desirable in a dog .... particularly a dog that is used as a companion.