When people bring home a new dog, they usually carry a clear picture in their minds of what life with that breed will be like.
Fans of Poodles imagine graceful, polished companions. Belgian Malinois owners brace for nonstop energy and drive. Border Collie admirers expect sharp intelligence paired with endless enthusiasm and a signature fluffy look.
Raquel, who lives in Oregon, had her own vision when she adopted a dog she believed was a Border Collie. She felt confident she knew exactly what kind of companion she was welcoming into her home.
Once Belinda settled in, though, small details started to stand out. Certain behaviors and physical traits did not quite align with what Raquel had anticipated.
Curious and a little puzzled, she decided to order a DNA test, and the results turned out to be far more surprising than she ever imagined.
A Surprising Revelation
Raquel instantly connected with Belinda when they first met.
The dog had been found wandering alone and was taken in by Herding Dog Rescue in Oregon. When no one came forward to claim her, she was put up for adoption, and Raquel was the perfect match.
At first, Raquel expected Belinda to act like a typical Border Collie: energetic and eager to herd everything in sight.
However, Belinda was calm, quiet, and had a short, smooth coat instead of the long, fluffy fur that is characteristic of Border Collies.
Raquel decided to learn more about Belinda’s background and check for potential health concerns by running a DNA test. When the results arrived, she was taken aback.
Belinda, as it turned out, was a purebred Border Collie.
“I adopted my dog 4 weeks ago and tested her predisposition for diseases and personality traits. However, we weren’t expecting that she would be a pure breed border collie because of her short coat,” Raquel shared in a Reddit post.
Other Border Collie owners quickly chimed in to explain what Raquel hadn’t known.
“Border collies come in two coat options! Rough coat and smooth coats! There are plenty with short hair,” one commenter explained.
“They come in so many shapes, sizes, cords, and coats! My boy is bigger and has a rough, curly coat,” another added.
Understanding Belinda’s True Nature
After reading numerous responses from experienced Border Collie owners, Raquel realized that Belinda was exactly what she was meant to be. She had simply never encountered a smooth-coated Border Collie before.
“I learned so much about BC just by reading the discussions here. I appreciate your time in explaining the differences between smooth and long coat BC,” Raquel said.
Now that she understood more about Belinda’s breed and personality, Raquel felt even more grateful to have found her.
“It’s a very friendly breed and I feel so lucky to have found such a cute girl,” she said.
Their bond continues to grow stronger each day, and it’s clear that this Oregon duo was meant to find one another.