Fate is rarely still during the day. It’s rare to get a photograph of her when she isn’t moving. At night, it’s different, she turns herself over to the night, and the wolf in her becomes visible.
Of all dogs, border collies are closest to the wolf in genetics and behavior. This is one reason sheep are so obedient around them (except for Fate, who is missing that particular gene.); they get the wolf part.
Fate loves to be around the sheep but isn’t keen on herding them or disciplining them when they blow her off.
She is from a champion herding line in Wales; somehow, that didn’t all take. It could be my fault, but Fate defied me every effort at training. I decided to let Fate be Fate.
Fate is the most wonderful companion for Maria; the two are always together, even out in the woods. Fate is perhaps the smartest dog we’ve had; Rose and Red were close. When she’s in Maria’s studio, which is often, she never touches or disturbs the fabrics that are all over the floor.
I enjoy my series of photos of Fate at rest; she is unique in every way, and at night, the wolf shows itself.
That is an interesting supposition border collies are closest of dog breeds genetically and their behavior to wolves. I would have to challenge that. I think border collies are nearly at the other end of the equation. I find breeds like Akitas, shiba inu, chow chow, samoyed, basenji, malamute, etc to be much closer to wolves. They are more difficult to train and more standoffish. All have retained erect ears. The Scott-Fuller dog study of 50 years ago showed just how far basenjis are from most dogs in being able to be trained. Border collies do chase sheep. That is the one part I see like a
wolf.
Iconic photo of her! THE one. I love it!