ETHEL

Female, 2 years, 37 lbs

Introducing affectionate and gorgeous ETHEL, an approximately two-year-old red-tri smooth coat female. She is 18+ inches at the shoulders and weighs about 37 pounds. ETHEL has perfect recall either by whistle or calling her name. She is healthy and has been well-cared for. She does not wander off and prefers to stick close to her people and foster sisters. She rarely barks, and only does if she needs to catch your attention (“Please let me in!”). ETHEL is a playful and funny dog that lives for a good time.

ETHEL has a ranching and herding background and definitely has a strong herding impulse. She most likely spent most, if not all, of her prior life outside and is slowly learning the rules of spending time inside, including the ins-and-outs of potty habits. For this reason, she has been crated for sleep at night, which she fairly quickly got used to and remains quiet and still until morning. She started out easily startled and is still a little jumpy, but has settled nicely into her foster home environment. She eagerly jumps in the car for rides and has no trip anxiety.

She loves to zoom around the yard and chase (read “herd”) our dogs whenever they’re on the move. She’s a tail wagging love bug and loves up on her foster sisters and humans like she’s one of the gang. It was clear that she was not familiar with a leash at first, but now walks/runs and loves all the sights and happenings on the daily neighborhood jog. ETHEL does not startle at passing cars, but does perk up and is quite curious when a squirrel or other dog is near. We’ve not seen any cats yet so don’t know what she thinks about those.

Despite her age, ETHEL exhibits several puppy-like behaviors, and that is probably due to so many new stimuli and a radically different environment. She quickly discovered the joy of playing with toys, but she is mostly into chewing them up, so chew-friendly or chew-resistant choices would be key. Her forever humans should prepare to “puppy-proof” and be attentive to her whereabouts.

ETHEL is a high-energy dog that pretty much stays in motion throughout the day. She would be most successful in a rural setting with some version of work to do, but most importantly she needs and wants to stay active. Applicants who want a near-constant companion to enjoy outside adventures and/or work throughout each day will be best suited for her. She clearly enjoys playing with her foster sisters, so if she had a pal in her new home that matched her energy level, that would be a bonus. She is not suited for a home where she would be left alone and unattended with nothing to do for any amount of time. With more traditional obedience training, we think this athletic girl may become a rock star in dog sports, like agility or Flyball, and would be a great hiking and/or jogging pal. She will thrive with an owner who has experience with an eager, high-drive border collie, specifically with training a high-drive border collie.

ETHEL is micro-chipped, spayed, heart worm negative and on preventative, and up to date on vaccinations. If you have an approved Northern California Border Collie Rescue & Adoptions Adoption Application and wish to inquire about ETHEL, please email us at Adoptions@norcalbcrescue.org. If you have an approved adoption application with Border Collie Rescue of Northern California let us know and we will request it be forwarded to us for consideration.

ETHEL is being fostered in Redding in Shasta County, California.