Don’t Judge a Book By It’s Cover
725 days.
That’s how long we all at Western Border Collie Rescue have been hoping for his ship to come in.
And then finally - 5 days shy of being with WBCR for 2 years - the fabulous yet consistently-overlooked Koby found the family he’s been waiting for.
He came to us as a teenager from a Utah shelter in March 2022, a young lad who seemed to be agreeable and friendly. Nope, he wasn’t perfect - like many of the dogs we take in he had been chasing livestock - but he proved downright social and outgoing, not only with adults, but kids too. He got along with dogs. He had no trouble living amongst the sights and sounds of urban environments, another rarity among Border Collies. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of a whole slew of WBCR volunteers and supporters, Koby walked out of our doors a marvelously well-adjusted adult. He met his new sisters, both canine and human, with all the social graces one could ever ask for, shortly after showing us all he indeed could calmly hang out near some horses.
But honestly - Koby has always been a wonderful dog, and we’re actually not sure why he was with us so long. He got passed over again…and again…and again, even as far more behaviorally challenging dogs found homes. Truth be told, I suspect it’s because he’s not as flashy or classic as some other BCs. Koby is kind of plain.
At WBCR I’m the one that does most of what we call “matching” applicants to the dogs in the program - talking to prospective adopters about which dogs have the traits they are looking for and which dogs we think will do well in their circumstances; it’s not first come first served. That’s because dogs are as different as people - even those of the same breed - and we think one of the best ways to ensure a dog stays forever with their adoptive family is to be sure the dog is a really good fit to begin with. So I’m the one that gets to explain regularly to people that while yes, a certain appearance is nice, it’s the personality and tendencies of the dog that we live with day in and day out that are more important, especially when a dog will be sharing your life for the next decade or more. Good looks - things like coat type, color, ear set, eye color, size - should be just icing on the cake if it works out. Which it does occasionally, but more often, the most well-matched personality isn’t at all wrapped the way folks desire.
Interestingly, this is often not an easy thing for people to hear. So sometimes I tell them the story about my ugly duckling Fidget (who I wrote about in February’s column) and how I fell for her personality and then grew to love her unusual look. This is the story I told the people who outright told me “We understand he could be a great fit for us, but Koby just doesn’t look like we want.” That’s like saying you passed over the perfect partner cause he didn’t look like George Clooney! Or marrying someone beautiful with no regard for the fact that you were completely incompatible. (Yes, people do it, but as you know, the odds are not in their favor that the relationship will last.) Yes, I understand there’s something to be said for initial attraction, but based on my experience, I think most people will grow to love the appearance of a dog that is really a great match for them.
Let’s face it: we can’t get everything. When it comes to human and canines living together, potential compatibility should top the list. But there’s this human tendency called “beauty bias”. Studies show that people deemed conventionally attractive are typically perceived more positively (either consciously or subconsciously) than those who aren’t, to such a degree that those that are deemed “attractive” are treated more favorably in the workplace as well as elsewhere in life.
So it comes as no surprise that the same thing happens with dogs. When people think of Border Collies, they think mostly of black and white rough coated dogs. We actually had dozens of people beg us to adopt a 25 pound classic rough coated girl in our program - even people with cats or kids despite our making it clear this dog could not live with either. Guess what Koby is? A red and white smooth coat. Want to guess how many people asked about him during his two years, compared to the flashy classic types? (Unbeknownst to most people, Border Collies actually have one of the widest range of appearances of any breed, but that’s another subject for another time.)
Does this mean we can’t appreciate a really flashy or beautiful dog? Not at all! Just be aware of the “beauty bias” when it’s time to bring a canine companion into your life, and don’t let a dog’s appearance override who they are and their potential for compatibility.
So what happened to the folks who point-blank said about Koby, “He just doesn’t look like we want”? They listened to me tell the story of Fidget. They reconsidered and reevaluated their priorities. They agreed to chat with his foster family. Then they went and met him, and the rest is history. They are the family who finally took Koby home.
Koby now shares his life with two adult BC lovers, a kid all his own, and two Border Collies - one a very timid youngster he is a perfect role model for. He’s won all their hearts, and they appreciate him for exactly who he is. They could see past the packaging to what others couldn’t - our wish for every dog.