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I have a border collie! (:

I'm sure the breeder would be able to tell you fairly accurately unless they're like only 6 weeks old. If they can't, they probably shouldn't be breeding.

You could try putting one on "hold" that they think is short hair, and waiting maybe 2 weeks or more and check again.

Don't worry about having him/her in an apartment, if that's where you move. Any well-behaved dog should be able to be left in the house loose while your at work. Are we supposed to take them to a nanny?

Most border collies are very loyal and easily trained to stay in the yard. Try to find a townhouse type apartment with a little yard, because the one's without a yard, but a common ground will make you keep a lease on them. No one wants to walk around the common ground every time their dog needs to go!

They main thing with living in a small home with a small yard will be exercise. Make sure you play with him/her a lot and keep him/her happy.

Do not lock a border collie up in an apartment all day. That would be so unfair. My 11 year old border collie mix just died a few weeks ago, and those are very active dogs who NEED to be working. Border collies are the smartest dogs out there, very easy to train, and amazing animals. But they are the most happy when they're outside actually doing something.When we would bring Wally in at night to sleep or if it was raining, he would stand at the door so he could go back outside. We had acres for him to run on.

As for the fur, I would think it'd be obvious by the way their fur is when they're little. Some dogs have the thinner fur, or the wire hair, and some are just fluffballs. But you can always ask the people at the shelter, because they would know best.

Short haired Border Collies are less common that the Long Haired ones.

A good breeder will be able to pick the coat types apart from a young age- you can usually tell if a pup is going to be short haired or long haired- there are big diffences even with the downy puppy coat you will see whether it has long hair or not.

If you still love the breed, and feel confident that you can provide adequate care for a Border- then definately go for one.

These dogs are intelligent and need to stay active. A big backyard and regular exercise is a must, and Obedience and dog sports are even better.

Border Collies are a fantastic breed for those who can dedicate the time and work into them, and for dog lovers who want to excel in Obedience, Agility, Flyball, etc.

Definately go through a good, registered breeder who tests their dogs for health problems. Look into what potential problems these dogs can have, and choose a breeder who breeds for health and temprement.

Border collies are awesome dogs. however, like most herders, they will become somewhat neurotic if they don't get adequate exercise and have a job to do.

Check out the parents and then cross your fingers that the litter follows suit in the hair department.

Welcome to my side of the fence!

If you're going to be living in an apartment, a Border Collie is not for you.

I read your other question and it said you would be moving to another pet-friendly apartment. Even if the apartment is pet friendly, Border Collies are not apartment friendly. They need lots of space to run and they need a job to do both mentally and phyically. Unless you plan on moving from an apartment to a house with a large, fenced in back yard you shouldn't consider a Border Collie.

I have no answer for you.

That was such a nice thing you did, brought tears to my eyes. Seriously, good for you. I just think it's great you saw th change she was making in his life and decided to make a selfless choice.

I'll star this. I love BCs =D