Doe's anybody know the reason why Farm Bred Collies chase car tyres?? Is it the chasing instinct?

I've just been down to my local farm to get our weekly Free range eggs, and the collie their always runs along the other side of the fence chasing the car and barking. But today, as we was parked up waiting to set off home, he decided to nip the front tyre!! then ran off waiting for us to pass him at the top of the hill so he could run along the fence at us.

Iv know a few collies do this, but is their a reason for it or just instinct?!

Jenna

My working bred Beardie would do it given the chance I think it's herding behaviour

yes basic herding of anything that moves! the nip reflex comes in when the animal/tyre is being particarley stubborn!!!

Yes, we had a totally bonkers collie appear from nowhere (well out of a hedge on a hilly part of the road) in the Lake District and chase our car; he was there in a flash, behind us, and was then gone! As if he were a mirage!

He was totally focussed and very powerful in his behaviour.

Lindsay
X

have to be to cope with 100s of stubborn hill sheep!!!

:D

Yeah, thought it was down to that, But why Car wheels? Would have understand if it was another dog or something.

A customer came into work last weekend, who comes in every week usually, but hadn't done for awhile which was strange. He always fetched his Collie in (working strain) who is around 8-9 months lovely friendly dog. But when he came in he couldn't fetch him to see me as he was restricted to the car. Whilst out walking he slipped his lead and chased a car, ended up smashing his hip, but luckly it wasn't worse and with him being so young it will repair quickly. Poor boy, Wanted to go see him but didn't want to get him excited as it may have hurt him being too excited and jumping about. Im just really glad my Collie doesn't do it.

Jenna

Collies with a high working instinct will 'herd' anything that moves - sheep, cattle, ducks, children, joggers ... ! The herding instinct is only a modified hunting instinct, after all, and canines are hunting animals. If sheep etc don't co-operate a collie will often nip their legs - and wheels are a car's 'legs' - the bit that makes contact with the ground.

Thsi is why I try to steer people away from Border Collies, especially farm collies, when they are looking for a family pet!  The herding instinct is so strong, and they are so bright, they work out (in their own sweet way) who and what needs herding, then simply go to it, be it kids, cars, horses, I love the breed, but they do need an experienced owner with the right enviroment!
bye
Gwen

:D

think of the car as a big sheep,wheels being the big feet! just trying to get them too move!!! stubborn wheels!!

mine dont do it,theyve never been allowed to do it,but i know how easy it is to encourage it.

Yes definitely a collie trait.  I have two working strain border collies.  One doesnt do it but the other does to bicycles although we are gradually getting him out of it and giving him his ball to chase instead.  He has a high drive for chase so you just put onto something more suitable in this case it is his ball and he loves it.  It does make him good at agility though!

Claire

Cheers for the information guys.

The person that i mentioned who's Collie chased after a car, came in to work again yesterday, he is doing really well. Starting with 5 minutes walk aday to get him moving again. But still got his eyes on the cars and tyres.

Thanks

Jenna