to choose a Border Collie over a German Shepherd?

[PenguinBollard]

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.

What about Belgian Shepherd? Groenendael or Tervuren are lighter built/squarer than German Shepherd, know a couple that do agility.
A colleague has a working bred German Shepherd which is pretty chilled for a young dog & expect many are much more driven, nicer athletic shape but not sure how would fare in agility for speed but lots of breeds take part now.

Collie lines are quite variable, in size/ looks/drive/temperament but they all seem to be bit quirky to various degrees. They're a smaller dog so should live bit longer than a GSD, but don't automatically assume healthy breed as know fair few with hip dysplasia & other issues so worth looking for breeders that are doing health testing to avoid heartache if wanting a sports dog.

Collie lurchers have become more popular as in agility/flyball but may not be as easy to find good breeders & can need different approach to training with sighthound aspect.

Bit late to the party but over the years I've had a mix of BC's and GSD's. I've loved them all but the BC's are far higher maintenance than GSD's as they have a deep need to be continually occupied. My gut instinct has always been that a neurotic collie has become that way due to being bored.

Somebody upthread mentioned chickens and I can say that I've never had a collie that I fully trusted not to chase smaller animals - the herding instinct is just too strong, whereas GSD's seem to recognise that their own pets are out of bounds for herding/amusement.

Now that I'm older, I wouldn't have anything other than a GSD as they are easy to train and easy to live with. They shed like crazy though so if that's what you go for, factor a decent vacuum cleaner into your budget.

It was very late (in Australia) when I wrote last night about all the GSD health issues, and I was too tired to think about suggesting the white shepherd (Sometimes also known as Swiss Shepherd).

I pondered mentioning this yesterday too. Definitely needs pointing out that that these are NOT the white/cream/biscuit coloured versions of our own GSD that we are all used to seeing - they are an entirely different breed, known as the White Swiss Shepherd or Berger Blanc Suisse. They are in the UK now, but not in big numbers.

They are a nice looking dog and seem unexaggerated and steady in temperament, although prefer the darker look myself.

From a practical point of view, I prefer the darker look than the white shepherds, but I have come to know quite a few from my years living in the Netherlands and some in my neighbourhood in Aus, and they are truly lovely “people” dogs.

At least the Swiss seem to be proper white with proper black pigment - much nicer than the creamy/livery that some white GSDs are. Much better bet health-wise too.

Could also consider the groendael or tervuren?

They are both beautiful breeds although I am biased towards collies as I used to have two. I would also be very wary of some of the above mentioned health issues that GSD have unfortunately had bred into them.

Collies need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Mine loved long walks, hide the tennis ball games, chew toys and generally being talked to. They are fiercely bright animals that are very intuitive insofar as picking up new words and commands without much training. Very very loyal as well. Not great in large crowds and it can take longer then other breeds for them to warm to strangers.

Oh and they look ace as well.