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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think if you can't cope with a husky you can't cope with a border collie?

108 replies

BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 25/02/2018 18:07

A neighbour did the right thing and rehomed their beautiful husky a few months ago as they couldn't commit to the amount time it takes to properly care for it. Today they proudly showed off to us all their new border collie puppy. It's beautiful but really?! Out of all the dogs you could get...

Aibu to not be impressed and hoick up my judgy pants here?

OP posts:
Baubletrouble43 · 25/02/2018 21:39

Haha mines a prince. And if I put a coat on him he refuses to move and goes as stiff as a stuffed dog....

alpineibex · 25/02/2018 21:45

Disagree.

Our collie was fine with 2 walks a day and didn't have any of the more challenging collie traits. She's very docile and gently. The most collie thing she does is wander around the flat until everyone is in the same room.

A husky? Probably too much.

alpineibex · 25/02/2018 21:45

Although, our collie may have just been an exceptionally non-collie-like border!

alpineibex · 25/02/2018 21:46

Our collie isn't trained either. No destruction or chewing. No nipping at ankles. Great with cuddly kids.

ItsAllABitStrangeReally · 25/02/2018 21:48

It should be illegal to even keep Collies as pets, it's bloody cruel. They're working dogs. Not something to be paraded about on the end of a lead.

alpineibex · 25/02/2018 21:48

Oh, sorry for continuous posting, we rescued this collie when she was 1. She is now 9. But even in her younger days, no issues.

No way would I describe her as hard work. My grandparents were nearly 60 when they took on our border.

alpineibex · 25/02/2018 21:49

Well, our border seems perfect happy :)

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 25/02/2018 22:07

I used to watch a woman and her BC in the park (my DD was terrified of dogs , I tried to find out a bit about the local canines so I could say "That;s Ben, he likes crisps and sleeps with his feet up" to try and think of them as 'not foe' they would never be friends.

She used a ball and thrower, the dog was right on the ball concentrating. Needed a phenomenal amount of physical and mental exercise. His legs would have worn to stumps before his brain got tired.

Your neighbours are arses.

alpineibex · 25/02/2018 22:10

She used a ball and thrower, the dog was right on the ball concentrating

Now that is like ours. A fiend for the ball. Do find it funny to pretend to through it though - ours often falls for it! I guess living on an area that has lots of green spaces, and having someone home all the time, made all the difference.

WooWooWitchetyWoo · 25/02/2018 22:18

I'd love some tips for ours. She's 2, we live rurally and can get her to the beach in a 10-15 min drive. Hills are right outside the house. She can never relax on a walk as she's always running back to us, checking we're there, so I feel she doesn't even have a proper walk. The other dog is 7 and off doing her own thing, running, splashing, sniffing, chasing (not a border collie).

They're offlead all the time (unless crossing a road) and they are the most wonderful dogs but I just feel the border collie could be happier, she doesn't even really settle into hugs, always primed to be doing something. What can I do for her?

alpineibex · 25/02/2018 22:25

She can never relax on a walk as she's always running back to us, checking we're there

That's what ours does if we just walk. As PP mentioned, one of those ball-throwers will really help. Walk, but keep throwing the ball and letting her fetch. Or frisbee.

Ours is partial to football. She enjoys dribbling it with her muzzle.

We usually keep going until she needs a lay down and is panting etc.

I remember my grandfather trying to play fetch with her in a field, me and my daughter were in the playground in the field, dogs not allowed, and she just wouldn't play ball! She just wanted either all of us in the field, or all of us in the playground. Grin

Original poster
BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 25/02/2018 22:26

Give her a job to do like constant fetch or carrying something. What I do with my dog is every once in a while we stop the walk do a trick and carry on, just to keep her brain going over.

OP posts:
willstarttomorrow · 25/02/2018 22:28

My friend has a collie, the most beautiful and intelligent dog and very much part of the family. However they live in a semi rural location, work patterns mean that the dog is rarely alone and he gets walked (off the lead and allowed to run) several times a day for miles and miles.

taffett · 25/02/2018 22:30

Oh dear Confused
Whilst highly intelligent, it's easy for them to learn the "wrong" behaviours too. They're not gonna be able to cope. Idiots.
Why wouldn't they research the breed first, it's a working dog ffs and needs constant stimulation. Poor pupSad

Pinkponiesrock · 25/02/2018 23:17

We have working collies on the farm, just one at the moment, he’s the perfect dog but he does need a lot of stimulation.

He has free run of the farm during the day but follows us around as he loves us so much Halo and has to be attached to DH all the time.

Ddog must do an average of 6 to 8 miles every day, and gets to do a huge variety of things, riding in the back of the pick up, working sheep, running alongside the quad, coming out running or riding, running round and round and round what ever cattle shed we are working in incase a cow should manage to jump the 8 foot barriers and need rounded up. It’s never happened yet nor is it indeed physical possible for a cow to actually jump that high but the dog will not be convinced of this so stands guard every single day, doing laps round the shed and driving me nuts Grin

No two days are ever the same and I think collies thrive on that.

salsmum · 25/02/2018 23:37

I have rescues but before getting ANY breed it pays to do your home work on the breed, when I worked voluntarily at a large dogs &cats home the Husky was the new fashion dog that came in droves, they are beautiful dogs...but like to dig holes in your lawn,don't like being left alone,howl very loudly and need much stimulation and grooming, but they are only displaying the traits of the breed, they are never going to be low maintenance dogs and the same is for most working breeds ...it's so sad when folks buy for looks alone.

WooWooWitchetyWoo · 26/02/2018 08:50

I do try and give her things to carry but she gets fed up with them. She just wants to run backwards making sure I'm there Confused. She's also not treat-motivated at all. When I'm doing recall - which she doesn't need as she's so obedient, but she likes it - she's not bothered about the treat. Other dog is obsessed with food. I'm probably over-thinking this as she does have a lovely life, but our other dog just seems so content whereas the collie never settles.

beepthemeep · 26/02/2018 08:55

Woo - our neighbours had a BC like that. She'd run off barking, and then run straight back to make sure we were all there and to herd us all together. She was a very relaxed happy dog because they made a huge effort to keep her entertained. I think provided you're giving them lot of exercise and lots of mental stimulation, perhaps that's just what they like to do?!

HuskyMcClusky · 26/02/2018 08:57

nods sagely

Cath2907 · 26/02/2018 09:02

To those saying a lap dog is a better choice - not sure I agree. I think no dog would be a better choice. We have had a lap dog puppy for the last 3 weeks and even he is HARD work. I have to take him out and stand in the garden, come rain or shine, every half hour, he needs exercise, fun and training. He is nippy and bitey (all puppies are), he is chewing / digging my garden to shreds.... He hates being left alone so all activities now need to be carefully planned to allow for someone to keep him company. He is about the size of a small loo roll and he has taken over the house and every spare minute in it. I knew he'd do this and we are happily providing him the love and attention he needs but bugger me he is hard work. I can't imagine how much hard work something bigger and more active would be!

FiveShelties · 26/02/2018 09:03

Perhaps they will put more effort into the new dog (she says hopefully). BC are amazing dogs, so intelligent but need so much stimulation.

Deshasafraisy · 26/02/2018 09:08

I think there should be tighter laws on dog ownership. I think you should need a license and if you need to rehome one then there should be a law about getting another one within such a short time period.

Catinthebath · 26/02/2018 09:11

Beautiful dogs and amazing workers but Collies do not make great pets. I wish someone close to me would realise this. The adjustments they and others have to make are slightly ridiculous

anxious2017 · 26/02/2018 09:15

I've had/have both as well as other sled dog breeds.

I have to say, after years of sled dogs, a Border Collier was an absolute delight. So eager to please, intelligent without being aloof, they listen, they don't want to eat every other animal they see, they don't leave daily tumbleweeds of hair round the skirting boards, they rest, they don't eat the walls/furniture even when they have been worked ALL Day, they have actual recall! An absolute delight.

However, all our dogs are worked, shown, do obedience and clicker training. They're given plenty of mental and physical stimulation and have an active and varied lifestyle.

If they didn't cope with a husky, although collies are easier dogs to those who know dogs, they will have similar traits if not kept active. I doubt this will be the case and will therefore assume the poor collie will be rehomed too.

I wish there was some way of stopping people doing this :(

Pinkponiesrock · 26/02/2018 13:17

Mine being totally wild Grin He has been out working cattle all morning and is now sleeping in the sun while I’m working in my office.
Thankfully he has an ‘off switch’ which a lot of collies seem to be missing, but as soon as I go and pick up my boots he’ll be at my side Halo

To think if you can't cope with a husky you can't cope with a border collie?