I'm think of getting a dog, but have a few questions!

[YoungWoman94]

Hello

I'm thinking of getting a Border collie does anyone know if they're good dogs around a one year old?

How much is insurance (roughly)?
What jabs do they need?
How much do they cost monthly to keep? (roughly)

Just want to be prepared, TIA

Border collies are high energy very intelligent dogs that I don't think I would recommend for a person who is a newbie to dog owning with a little one.
A lab maybe better. Very soft and gentle, a lovely family dog.

We have a lab, soppy as they come. Will take as much or little walking as you see fit. Very easy going

But... A walking Hoover and what goes in must come out . Also the moulting - could stuff a mattress with her hair!

Insurance, I pay around £20 a months

You also need food, worm g fabs, flea prevention, vaccinations etc.

A collie ishigh enery! We walk our dog 1-2 hours a day and did not get a collie as that might not be enough for them.

We pay about £25 pm insurance but that is with Petplan and a lifetime policy.

Also pay about £10 pm into a vet scheme which covers all her vaccinations, flea and worm treatment.

Not cheap, add in food on top of that and dogs are quite a serious financial commitment.

I've had dogs before, but it's been a while my last was a German shepherd but we had to get rid of it due to my brother having an allergy. We've now got a decent house and secure back garden so looking for a dog :-)

We need a relatively small dog as my house isn't too big.. How big are labs?

Depends . Ours is very large, he can rest his head on the dining table but his dad was also huge. His mum was tiny , my knee height so if you found a breeder with 2 small parents it should be fine.
They are really good natured (mine is currently being chased by a 3 year old with a pushchair after being woken up by a 1yr old trying to feed him wooden blocks.

Too cute! My house is small which is why it can't be a big dog, walking isn't a issue it's my small house! Think I'm going to keep researching

Our lab is quite small (although I don't think she looks it!) her Dad was huge but average sized Mum.

Perfect family dog and the adoration we all get....

Food depends on what type, but around £30 a month is a good estimate.
I pay £25 insurance monthly
Worming is £10 every 3 months. ( I worm often due to dc)
Flea spot on is £20 for a three months supply
Injections are around £30 for booster and kennel cough
If we go away kennels are £30 daily.
Grooming £35 every few months.

Imo I wouldn't pick a border collie. They are smart and will amuse themselves if they aren't stimulated enough. Very high energy and take a lot to please. Also my ndn when I was small had one who used to nip me and herd me round the garden.

Collies like/need to work so good for a farm but not good for a normal family life house.
Dog will need vaccination course & then boosters every year, cost will vary depending on where you live etc-id say ring your local vets for an idea. Insurance will also vary depending on what you want, and what you get (certain pedigree dogs may cost more due to the health problems maybe).
Food costs will also vary dramatically depending on size etc.
Id go to your local rescue place, or look at their website for possible dogs.
Young labs like most young dogs can be v v bouncy which may not be so good in a small house. Id defo get a dog thats past the teenaged stage rather than looking for a puppy (a big job!)

I have a dog and pay £15 a month for pet insurance.

Before getting it vaccinated do your research.. There is actually no proof that the jabs do any good. In fact, more and more people are becoming against jabs because they can do more harm than good. A lot of vets now offer regular titer tests as a way of checking your pets health instead of jabs.

Food - it depends what you feed it. I'm against commercial pet food crap and feed my dog 100% raw meat and bones. Works out about £40 a month.

It's a lot of responsibility and some may say expensive but she is worth it and I wouldn't change her for the world

I wouldn't go for a collie personally.

Can I recommended a rescue centre? You'll get all the support you need and bs able to match with a dog that suits your family.

I have a collie cross lab and a 2 year old that I love to bits. BUT......There is no way in hell I'd get a collie as my first dog or with a 1 year old in tow.

I spent hours each day when she was a pup training her. They are seriously intelligent dogs and need constant stimulation. Mine gets walked 2-3 times a day and follows me around the house all day long looking for attention and company. They are one of the worst breeds to leave on their own as they just crave company.

Wouldn't go for a collie personally -super.clever dogs, and therefore need loads of stimulation to keep them on the straight and narrow, in my experience.
Could I recommend working cockers? I say this as you say walking isn't an issue. With lots of long walks, these are great family dogs - gentle, obedient, smallish etc. Unwalked they are a pain (see this around me in my village all the time -they run to fat, and also become naughty/a bit anarchic.)
But our well-walked working cocker is just a joy. Not destructive, great with dd (3), can be left alone if needs be for a number of hours (we don't make this a regular thing, as it seems sad for her, but we can leave her for 6 hours or so on rare occasion if needs be!).
In my opinion, the perfect dog. Smallish, loves walks, gentle, and a bit daft!

As an owner of 2 collies, and one in the past, I wouldn't recommend a collie to someone with small children. My two are the loveliest, smartest and most obedient dogs ever, but they do struggle to be around small children and get stressed. My older boy has been known to nip (in an attempt to control) children who are playing roughly with each other.

They're a fairly specialist breed and you could find a much more suitable dog through a good rescue.

I have a collie x and he's a very busy dog. He wouldn't be suitable for a small house with a toddler unless you have a very big garden and enough time to keep him active - not just physically, mentally too.

I dont think collies should ever go to pet homes, they should only ever go to working homes (I include agility / flyball type stuff as working), the number of them that come into rescue shadow chasing / spinning / self harming is horribly high!

Not sure working cocker is good idea either, they often need hours of work too, show cockers on the other hand are far more laid back.

I grew up with collies, and my last dog was mostly collie.

Lovely dogs, very rewarding, but hard to own.

Have you ever thought about a greyhound? Lovely, easy going dogs with a very gentle nature. One or two little walks a day, they then spend the rest of their time curled up in a tiny ball. No shedding either.

With regard to insurance, I put £5 a week into a bank account which has paid my vet expenses. I have come out on top so far.

I've always had collies,absolutely adore them.I wouldn't recommend a collie pup in your case,they calm down a bit when they are older but they are full on when young!Gorgeous dogs though,I may be biased

Just a quick tip before you get any dog though,have you had your baby around anyone elses' dog?As dog allergies can be run in families,I'd check out baby isn't allergic before you commit.

My PIL have a border collie and I would say no to having one in small house and around kids. It's a hugely energetic dog that needs tons of walks and is getting more and grouchy as the years goes on. Barks at any kids in pubs etc despite being well trained and v well socialized with the DGs.

I would also recommend a greyhound as the previous op suggests. Ours is a darling, gentle, well behaved and very affectionate.