Nellie

Meet Nellie, a 34 lb bundle of brains, bounce, and heart. At around 2 to 3 years old, this smooth coated Border Collie and Sheltie mix (70% BC, 30% Sheltie per Embark) is as cute as they come and full of personality to match.

Nellie’s story started with being found after she was abandoned with two other dogs, but she has come a long way since then.

What she really needed was consistency, structure, and someone who understands her sensitive herding dog nature.

In her current home in Syracuse, NY, she has made wonderful progress and is ready to find her person. She is currently living with two young adult huskies and has settled in nicely, enjoying their company while still making it clear that her favorite thing is being close to her human.

At first, Nellie can be a bit shy, but give her a few minutes and let her approach on her own, and she warms up quickly. Once she trusts you, she is affectionate, loyal, and delightfully quirky. She will greet you in the morning with full body wiggles and insists on a proper hello before heading outside. During quiet moments, she loves to be near her human, sometimes a little too close, as she is still learning boundaries, but always with sweet intentions.

Nellie has a nice off switch. While she has that classic Border Collie energy, bounding and leaping everywhere she goes, she settles well after a walk or a short play session.

She enjoys playing ball, loves car rides, and has even started agility training, where she is already showing great promise. With her athleticism and eagerness to learn, she could excel in agility, trick training, or just being an active companion.

She is housetrained, crate trained, and sleeps soundly through the night. She is food motivated, responsive to training, and has not been destructive in the home. She even taught herself how to use a pet door.

Like many smart, sensitive dogs, Nellie does have some areas where she will need continued guidance. She can be inconsistently reactive to other dogs on leash and may try to guard her person from other dogs if not managed. She is also a bit protective of her crate space and can be vocal with nearby dogs she cannot access. These behaviors are manageable and improving with structure and training, but she will do best with an experienced owner who can continue to guide her.

Nellie would thrive in a home where she can build a close bond with her person, someone who enjoys training, activity, and the rewarding process of helping a dog grow in confidence.

She may do well with another dog given proper introductions and leadership, but she does not need a canine companion as much as she needs her human.

If you are looking for a smart, affectionate, and entertaining partner who will keep you smiling and on your toes, Nellie might just be your girl.

NOTE: A fence requirement could be waived in a rural setting well off the road

Please do not inquire about a particular dog until you have an APPROVED application on file.