Border Collie's anyone got one?

[josaphine32]

Hi,
We were strongly considering getting a border collie, I have done alot of reading about them over the last few months, and when we went to crufts on saturday we were advised to go for a show dog NOT a working dog as they are not so manic,
Ive been reading another web site this morning and they have basically said that there is no difference in either dog, and that they should not be kept as family pets and they are unsuitable,
Are they really that bad?
I am home most of the day and have other dogs i live in a house that has a huge back garden with 6 foot fences , the house looks over fields, and would love to hear from anyone who has had good and bad experiences with collies.

[andrea81]

I had one about 9 years ago and he was very highly strung for a good 4 years. He did calm down though and was a gentleman!

I'm not sure about the breed itself but my experience was positive!

Only thing I would say is that they do like a good master and you would do good to keep them in their place (in that I mean - not letting them get away with jumping on setti, give them food after you eat etc...)

[kita1]

This is a really good site for information about BC's. They rescue border collies and are also dog behaviourists/trainers.

Because they are really involved in rescue they know all the problems and drawbacks of the breed.

They also have lots of dogs of all ages looking for homes and will be able to match you up to a dog if that is what you decide.

http://www.wiccaweys.co.uk/start.html

[jules77]

Some puppies available on collienet. If you join the collie forum you could ask the question of other collie owners?

http://www.collienet.com/border_collie_puppypa ge.htm

http://www.collienet.com/

I was bought up with border collies, and I would say the majority of them need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation, although GypsyGSD has one that is a couch potato!

[lankeela]

It makes no difference whether you get a show bred one or a working bred one (by that I take it you mean actual sheep working rather than obedience) they both need lots of training and mental stimulation. They are wonderful dogs, but when you have thrown the tennis ball for the umpteenth time there they are back again for another go. They can go all day and night and then some. If you are prepared to put in the exercise and training they are brilliant, but certainly don't make good pets for the sort of people who want a dog to just lay around and go for the obligatory ten minute walk round the block. It would not be fair to the dog or the owner. Problem is,. so many people get them because they see them on One Man and His Dog or doing obedience on telly, and think they come ready made like that. This is when they get problems and end up putting the dog in rescue.

[lankeela]

There are now several conditions that can be DNA tested for in Border Collies, so make sure you get one from a reputable breeder. Some of the working dogs come from breeders who do not health test, and this means they will continue getting problems, which is so frustrating for those who have worked hard to get the tests to eliminate these conditions from the breed.

[fredpuli47]

How can I put this? Well, the first thing to know is that you won't have a dog but a border collie ! The little one may look like a dog but it'll be a baby Einstein crossed with a marathon runner ! They get bored easily. My best tip is to give him/her a map of the town, a set of house keys, and a What's On guide LOL.They are SO intelligent, you soon won't think that bit's a joke. Easy to train?" Not as you'd think", said one trainer I met at Cruft's years ago. Why? 'Because the little devil learns a routine perfectly, then makes a slip such as dropping a stick, gets a laugh for that, and then does the same 'mistake' ever after because he knows it gets a laugh ! He's writing his own scripts!"

So, be prepared.Lots of interesting things for the dog, quite a bit of exercise when grown up, try getting him into puppy training and any other training you can, don't leave the dog for long (it may invent a few new 'games' while you are out, and surprise you with the consequences, if it gets bored!)

Don't be surprised if it is a one man dog: it'll stick by its owner, above all.

Lankeela is right, as usual. It won't matter to you whether it is a working dog or not. It might be better to go for a 'show' strain if only because the show strain is more likely to have be from tested ancestors (i.e tested for whatever genetic defects the breed has)

[wildwood]

I can only reiterate all of the above. We are on our second BC and I would never dream of getting another breed, except perhaps a Red Setter.

Heaps of intelligence which needs to be kept in check. Heaps of energy which needs to be worked off. Just a large yard is good, but they need stimulating interaction. We have no interest in showing but always try to catch the working dog sections.

[Jules001]

we recently saw a BC x in a rescue centre and she looked fairly docile in the kennel, however that was a different dog to when she was outside, we had her on a lead getting to know her with a view to rehoming her, but she was so excitable, she pulled on the lead and was all over the place, not responding to us at all. As first time dog owners, we felt it wasn't fair to her or us to take to the risk that we might be able to train her and calm her down a little so we said no and we will wait until a more suitable dog comes along. I know this doesn't answer your question, but just wanted to say that I know we made the right decision in choosing not to have a BC

[gelda]

I used to house sit 2 border collies and was asked to give them at least 3 hours excercise a day but even that wasn't enough, after a 2 hour walk they were still full of beans, as the others have said if you're not prepared to give them mental and physical attention 18 hours a day forget it!

[josaphine32]

Thankyou all for your posts,
I was thinking that if we got one it would have been an older dog may be 6 or 7, but i think at the moment in reading all these posts it is not advisable to get one,

[collie_mum]

We have 2 border collies, now aged 13 and 13 1/2 - had them from puppies. Early stages quite a handful but since have been so rewarding. Extremely intelligent, loyal and loving. Long walks off lead are essential and then they will take more, even at this age. Until last year we were doing 6 to 8 mile walks over Exmoor, Somerset. You do need to establish your pack leader position -see the Dog Whisperer program on sky3 with Cesar Milan - amazing. Lots of investment needed but even greater reward. Would not have another breed.

[leelapops]

I laughed my pants off in recognition of what fredpuli said! It is so true. Everyone else's descriptions are spot-on too.

Jack, our BC, is coming up 4, and he has been hard work! Creative, intelligent, with boundless energy. I don't think your circumstances are unsuitable, as long as you are willing to accept that a mad dash round the garden isn't sufficient stimulation for a Collie: it will need a minimum hour-and-a-half each day. EVERY day! If Jack doesn't get his big walk, he bounces off the walls! Be prepared to invest in lots of "puzzle" toys, like treat balls that the dog has to work to get the reward from.
I don't have anything to add to the rest really, except that I love Jack to bits, and wouldn't be without him. He is my absolute soulmate!
I appreciate that you have thought hard about this, and asked people's advice. I see you are looking at deciding against it for now, but I can promise you that on the whole, if their (extensive!) needs are met, they are a joy to own, and a pleasure to be with.
I never knew what a one-person dog Jack was 'til my partner came off night shift. Jack's had a really hard time adjusting, because he is so used to having the majority of his day with one or the other of us, but not both. So that is another consideration.
x

[leelapops]

Hey Zacs, bless you, that is funny! I think the key really is to remember to END the comand ; )

Thank you very much. Poor Zac, I really hope he is all better now, or at least on the road to recovery! They do like their crazy runs don't they! Sometimes Jack over-excites himself and bites his tongue! I paint a slightly crazy picture of him, but that's propably because he IS crazy!

They are such wonderful dogs, though, aren't they? It is funny that the vet said that to you; Jack had bloods and scrapes recently for a skin condition, and the vet told me he may be a little groggy the evening that I picked him up from surgery. HA! If only!!!

Lots of cuddles for Zac from me, and a waggy tail from Jack. I like that their names rhyme! Short and sweet :) x

[lankeela]

I know we all seem to have put you off the breed, but with your facilities if you were willing to put in the training/time I think you would have a super family dog. Just glad you are thinking about it seriously before jumping in with both feet.
Shame more people don't do that, and take the advice of people who have real knowledge of breeds. There would be far fewer dogs in rescue if they did.

[perigra]

i've got a border collie and had a few over the years.

i've always bought working dogs from a farm and none of them have been pedigree registered.

your home sounds ideal to me, they need loads of exercise as do many breeds.

[888sally888]

I had a border collie coss springer and she was a famtastic dog and lived to 17.5 years.

She was a sweetie!!

[leelapops]

lankeela, you're right as ever!
I know BCs can seem like more of an "effort" than other dogs, but let me tell you, the joy they bring to your life repays that tenfold!
perigra, that is true-people think that size of dog is proportionate to exercise needed sometimes, but that just isn't the case is it!
sally, she sounds very special! What was her name? I am sometimes asked if Jack contains a little Spaniel. I have no idea of his heritage!
x