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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to choose a Border Collie over a German Shepherd?

82 replies

PenguinBollard · 06/09/2018 09:41

In about a year's time I'll finally be able to get a dog, I'm ridiculously excited as it's pretty much top of my life goals

I've always wanted a Border Collie (I've had Collies before) however I've had my head turned slightly as DP really loves German Shepherds*.

I love bigger dogs and we live rurally so I feel that a GS would add the "protection" factor, though of course BC aren't small themselves.

The biggest thing that puts me off German Shepherds is their reduced life span - just 9 years (Collie's average 14 years) as, although inevitable, the loss of a dog would break my heart.

Has anyone had either/both and can offer any insights?

We will be moving to a small holding with plenty of land, I'll be working from home and DP will be PT. We don't yet have any children and mostly likely won't for another few years. I have experience with big, "high maintenance" dogs, and we go hiking every weekend - and the dogs will get a minimum of 2 hours exercise a day. before anyone jumps on me

*DP would be happy with either GS or BC, he has no strong preference.

OP posts:

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Elphame · 06/09/2018 09:54

I've had experience with border collies - very very intelligent and get bored very quickly. Bored = getting into trouble.

Two hours exercise isn't going to hack it - you'll need to find something for it to do for much longer than that. They are working dogs and it shows in their behaviour.

EcceInPictura · 06/09/2018 10:07

I'm slightly biased because I have a beautiful border collie- 2hrs exercise a day is fine for her but she is quite chilled as collies go. It does sound like you have a lovely lifestyle to offer a dog, OP.

We took our time and found a puppy that had been bred by a family- they owned both the mother and father and we were able to see and spend time with both parents who had lovely temperaments. She was also in a house with children and we knew we wanted to start a family in the future and have lots of nieces and nephews (she's turned out to be great with children).

Maybe you could look at both breeds and find a puppy who came from an environment you liked? Rather than narrowing it down to breed straight away.

JupiterBelle · 06/09/2018 10:08

We’ve got a GS and he’s lovely! Looks scary as hell as he’s jet black and barks loudly but he’s so loving and affectionate- he’s also very patient with the DC. He needs a decent amount of exercise and play otherwise he gets bored. He’s never been destructive since leaving the puppy stage.

I’ve known people with GS that have lived until 12/13 but like any dog there’s no guarantee on how long they will live/health problems that might occur!

Claw001 · 06/09/2018 10:18

I’ve had 1 collie and 2 GS over the years.

Both can be ‘protective’.

GS shed a lot more and in my experience tend to have more medical problems (legs)

Collies get bored easily and tend to have more energy.

Both are lovely.

justilou1 · 06/09/2018 10:20

I have always had GSD’s. I was practically raised by one BUT these days I would be reluctant to get one again as the breed standards are getting so stupid they are breeding all kinds of health issues into the gene pool, including hip displasia, osteoarthritis, GSD roach or banana back (look it up - it’s awful), temperament changes due to the narrower head (smaller brain), slippy joints, a potentially lethal heart condition called GSDiva that can kill a perfectly healthy-seeming dog by the time it’s about two years old, etc. Like all breeds, they were great - intelligent, intuitive, protective, etc.... until humans decided to impose ridiculous breed standard ideas upon them. If you do get one, please make sure you have met both parents, and that they are not “jumpy” or anxious dogs (anxiety is a sign of inbreeding with GSD’s) know for certain that the breeder is reputable and humane, etc.... I am saying this because I have one that is great with my family. (I have older kids) But she is terrified of dogs and could become aggressive towards them. She is medicated permanently because of her high levels of anxiety and she is sti very high-maintenance. I am a very responsible dog owner, and I certainly have to watch her like a hawk all the time!

ILikePaperHats · 06/09/2018 10:21

One of each?

pigsknickers · 06/09/2018 10:24

We have a 2 year old bitch who's a cross between the 2 and she's a brilliant dog. My only experience before was with pure collies and she's less neurotic than they were, but really really intelligent and a very fast learner. We also live on a smallholding and she has the run of the place, learnt boundaries quickly and doesn't bother the sheep and hens (much). She's helped earn her keep by hunting rabbits and voles. She's also very good with our young children. Can't find fault with her really except she eats too much poo and keeps picking up fleas

Haisuli · 06/09/2018 10:25

We have a collie cross and he is the hairiest beast known to man. The shedding is horrendous. Otherwise he is a very chilled out fella, he's happy with just an hour a day walk, or if we are out on a big walk he will go all day. He's 7 now and no health problems so far.

sonjadog · 06/09/2018 10:26

I don´t live in the UK so don't know if it the same there, but here there are "working" GS and "show" GS. The working ones are much healthier, don't have the sloping back and all the problems with that. Maybe have a look at those if they are available?

I have an Australian Shepherd. I considered a Border Collie but then ended up with an AS instead. I find them more stable than BCs, but still with the same energy and intelligence. Have you looked at them?

Shednik · 06/09/2018 10:27

I've had both.

Collies are so intelligent but very highly strung. You need to invest a lot of time in training and have a lot of time to devote to stimulating them.

GSD'S have a lot of health problems as others have mentioned. But beautiful temperament.

I've ended up with a spaniel! Never wanted a small dog but he is perfect in temperament and requirements. He's bright too.

MrsMozart · 06/09/2018 10:32

We currently have both (GSD is mine and BC is DD's).

I wouldn't have another BC. She's lovely but very herd driven and focused. Oddly isn't bothered about walks. The GSD is, comparatively, chilled and easier to have around. Well trained. Happy with whatever length walks.

Original poster

PenguinBollard · 06/09/2018 10:36

May look into Australian Shepherds!

Would love to have one of each but I think that would be biting off more than I could chew!

The plan would be to attend dog training (agility or flyball ideally) locally twice a week as well as 2 hours of off lead exercise a day plus additional daily training - this was enough with my previous Collie. And of course our weekend outings.

I get bored easily, I think if I were a dog I'd be a Collie. Haven't eaten chicken poo yet though...

OP posts:

Whitney168 · 06/09/2018 10:39

In both breeds, there is huge variety ...

Border Collies can either be show-bred, working-bred, or somewhere in between. I don't think many would recommend working bred for a home that isn't going to 'work' the dog in some form, be it agility, obedience or stock work.

GSDs are the proverbial mixing pot. You don't want either extreme!

Strong German breeding typically produces dogs with temperaments that need work, and conformation can be very poor.

Strong English breeding can produce dogs with over-long weak backs, hip problems and epilepsy.

It is perfectly possible to buy middle of the road GSDs without exaggerated conformation and from breeders who do all relevant health tests and who live a decent length of time. Temperament also a huge factor, obviously.

Good that you are planning well ahead, so I would be contacting breeders of both, meeting them and their dogs, checking temperament and longevity.

Don't wait until you're ready to look for a puppy - find yourself a breeder, then book and wait for a puppy.

Jestem · 06/09/2018 10:44

Collies are great but very high energy - walking isn't enough alone, they need a lot of mental stimulation too in comparison to other breeds, IME.

Twooter · 06/09/2018 10:44

My gut reaction when I read your title was - neither. However out of the two I would say collie, although they definitely seem to have the soft gentle strains and the sharp sly strains so the risk of getting one of the later would put me off getting one at all.
Like someone said up thread , i’d go for a spaniel in your shoes, butvthey’d still need all the exercise. And mental stimulation.

Nesssie · 06/09/2018 10:46

One of each?

That's the spirit!

Purringkittenmama · 06/09/2018 10:47

Totally biased, but get a lurcher instead!
Rescue centres are unfortunately full of them and they are such lovely dogs.

BigDamnHero · 06/09/2018 10:50

I'm very biased because we have a lovely GS and I was attacked by my granddad's BC when I was a child so in my mind there's no competition!

Greyhorses · 06/09/2018 10:52

I have had both, and currently have two purebred GSD and one GSD crossed with a border collie and much prefer the german shepherds. Even the one that’s half collie is too much collie for me

Collies don’t seem to have as much of an off switch and seem less loyal than the sheps. Also I like the protection factor the shepherds give when wandering around our fields in the dark!

Training wise I would have said they were all similar to train although the colliex is motivated more by toys and the shepherds food. I have found the colliex never truley settles, he is always waiting to leap up and go and sleeps with one eye open whereas the GSD tend to be much less sharp.

It’s hard to find a good GSD breeder but they are out there, my last one lived until 14 so I wouldn’t say they were a short lived breed but definitely look into breeders very carefully.

Ovaltine1 · 06/09/2018 10:54

Definitely GSD. The collies are lovely but need a ton of exercise and mental stimulation. GSD's are enthusiastic and funny, can do with moderate exercise most days. Please make sure you buy the puppy from a good breeder.

SusanneLinder · 06/09/2018 10:55

I was brought up with GSD's but weep over the breeding of them in this country. The back is practically on the floor, leading to hip and back problems. If you do your research it is still possible to buy a dog without these issues. Do have a guarding instinct, but are great dogs and easily trained. Need a fair amount of walking.
I also had a border collie, beautiful dog, but they need a LOT of stimulation as they are very very bright. Agility or obedience classes to keep them occupied. Easily trained though.
Depends on your lifestyle, but if it is a normal busy family, I would plump for a GSD, but do your research, and get them insured. Our GSD's lived past 9. One was 14 and the other was 13.

Movingonup41 · 06/09/2018 10:58

No contest in my mind. Gsd’s All the way.

to choose a Border Collie over a German Shepherd?

bridgetreilly · 06/09/2018 10:59

If you've had a collie before, you know what they're like, and since you still seem to want another one(!) I'd choose that. But I admit, I am biased against German Shepherds, having been bitten by one as a child, and also extremely concerned by the terrible breed standards for show dogs.

bridgetreilly · 06/09/2018 11:00

Oh, and I second a pp's recommendation of a lurcher. They're lovely dogs.

Stefoscope · 06/09/2018 11:03

Would you consider a cross breed? My DP adores German Shepherds, but I'm not keen for the health issues with pedigrees. We ended up adopting an older long dog, who is fairly low maintenance as dogs go. I've said in the future we can look at getting a GS cross (hopefully with lurcher). In your situation, I'd probably lean more towards BC, as it seems like you already have an active lifestyle and know what you're letting youself in for!

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