Owning a border Collie

[Strawberrypie33]

So me and my partner think we are ready to own a dog, we are both financially stable both work, I'm part time so I do have time to walk a dog, entertain and groom when needed, my partner works from home on staggered shifts but tends to do 4 shifts and no more. We have children ages 13,12,6&3 all know how not to act around animals as family members have cats and dogs I've taught them to be kind and gentle so in not worried about that, only thing that worries me is the type of dog. We want a border Collie, obedient and some what easy to train, I've done some research and they do need a lot of active times in their day, what I'm asking is has anyone owned or own this type of breed and what is your typical day with one? Are they ok with children? Ect. I don't want to be rash with getting this breed and it not being suitable, I'm heavy on research first before I make a decision, any help will do, thank you.

Of course border collies are amazing dogs. But - I would firstly look up border collie common problem issues and then assume you could end up with all of them …. you just won’t know what may lie ahead when it’s a pup. Could you manage?

I once had a border, lovely nature but bored, constantly wired, never seemed to relax, always wanted to do something - anything- made me quite sad I had failed him really, he wasn’t suited to a non worky environment. Also lunged after cars - a common collie problem. I was never able to fix that.

The only border I would take on now would be one with a known character, but I think sadly most in rescue likely are there with behavioural stuff.

However - re collies - My first dog was a bearded collie, they are on the at risk list I believe but I’ve had several, I currently have a 3 year old. Took a lot of patience and effort and exhausting the first 18 months, but they can make good family dogs, still a collie, still need decent exercise, grooming, consistent training, but in my opinion more suited to a normal home than a working collie. As long as they don’t become bored. You do still get working beardies, those I would use the same caution as a border.

good luck whatever you decide.

They are not easy dogs - they have high needs and are a nightmare when their needs aren’t met.

They’re probably more difficult than you think. I’ve got my second collie & he’s lovely but extremely hard work & not quite that easy to train! He needs a lot of time, he walks about an hour, 4 times a day. He also needs a job & something to do otherwise he gets bored & destructive. He needs a huge amount of mental stimulation & input. He does try to herd the children & will nip at ankles. He also has a tendency to have tantrums if he doesn’t want to go home after walk & will bite the lead, bite at my legs etc. I’d perhaps re-think the breed you want because they’re bred
to work & need intensive input otherwise they create their own (destructive) job / fun.

I got a BC as my first dog, and yes they are high energy dogs. I work a backshift, which means I can go out with the dog twice a day. Loki gets approx 2hrs a day, sometimes 3 depending on weather. As a pup, crate the dog because they need sleep, whether they want it or not. Loki was crated until 6 months. All pups chew, so be aware and put trainers, handbags etc out of sight, toys as well. Walking is a gradual process as their limbs are soft. They require a focus, like a lot of BCs a ball is essential. Snuffle mats are good too, but don't leave it lying about when they are young or they'll chew it when your back is turned. Lastly when they are out the crate, during times when you need to do your own stuff ignore the dog. If you don't their expectation is you'll provide unlimited attention to them, big no, no. Loki is an amazing dog, he never leaves my sight when we walk. His recall is so, so, but that's a pup thing, and they eventually get better. He is two and a bit now, and he is wonderfully loyal and has a quirky character. And, lastly, lastly; when walking on a lead make sure you walk where it is fairly busy with traffic. BCs are highly nervous, and traffic is a thing that can be a bug bare, make sure you desensitise the dog bu walking on a lead near traffic, it helps them get used to it.

I'm a behaviourist, here are the most common problems I am contacted about when it comes to collies:
Pulling on the lead
Lead reactivity
Herding of children or other pets
Reactivity to traffic, cyclists, and other fast moving things
Obsessive behaviours

Personally border collies are not dogs that I recommend for people with young children. They have high needs. They need a lot of mental stimulation. They are intelligent and the average person struggles to train them, because they think more quickly than the humans do, so if you aren't on it and able to keep up with the environment as quickly as they are then you find may find this tough. They can find young children running around triggering and this can set off herding behaviour, wanting to herd kids etc.

If you do get a collie please do NOT get a working line collie.
Personally, I would not recommend a collie for a home with young children/both parents working. They require a lot of time, commitment, and they need more mental stimulation than many working parents are able to realistically give.
If you were to get a border collie I would ensure:
Not working line
You have a sizeable garden
One of you is at home for a good portion of the day
You don't fall in to the trap of continuous ball throwing for exercise, which can encourage obsessive behaviours, stop dogs behaving like dogs, and increases the risk of injury/arthritis in older age
Provide plenty of mental stimulation (which is different to physical exercise)

There are many other breeds that may suit your situation more. For a home with young children and working parents, I would consider a lurcher, whippet or other sighthound, staffie, golden retriever, flat coat retriever.

Agree with @Singingorangedinosaur100%. 2 working parents and 4 young children is not the right fit for this breed.
They are "working" dogs, not just active. It wouldn't be fair on anyone, dog included.

They’re proper working dogs so need so much time working out and being mentally stimulated we currently have a Samoyed, she’s been our best breed, we’ve been training with her since she was a puppy, they need good walks and runs but cot as much as BC dogs. She has 2 good walks a day at least one off lead so she’s able to run around, chase ducks/swuirrejs/rabbits etc, she rounds up our family too like her herding genes tell her to! They’re lovely family dogs, not too brainy but enough to be fun and numerous! DH takes her running, on a waist lead which she loves but again a good half hour is fine, then she happily snoozes, plays with toys in the garden with us/the kids, makes interesting aawwoooo sounds but are NOT bonkers like their husky friends - completely different!
they can be a bit stubborn and side-eye you if they’re not interested in your request, and they also have selective hearing 🤣

… oh and they can be quite woofie - they’re also beautiful and get ssssioooo much attention from her adoring fans … we had to stop taking her to school pick up as we spent too long with her fan club and needed to get back to work lol 😂

Please also read the terribly sad mumsnet thread:
‘To think that it is horrible to put down a healthy young border collie’
This gives some insight into the potential problems of owning a border collie in an unsuitable home…

I've owned three springer spaniels, and I know I wouldn't be able to meet the needs of a border collie!

Respectfully, border collies are not a pet. See what they can do and then add them to your family life and think how boring it would be for them.

as a first time family dog, get a lab.

my mum breeds bordoodles (I know, sigh) which are still too energetic for the average family.

I think people characterise collies a lot but it really depends on the dog.
I have a collie he's six now, and he was extremely easy to train. I had him at 8 weeks old and he was house trained by day two.
He is active but hes also very calm when at home and will happily snuggle up on the sofa. Hes absolutely fine being left alone, neighbours say he never barks when alone and I watch him on a pet cam he just sleeps.

He is very toy obsessed and not food orientated at all. Great with kids and other animals. Barks at the post man but thats about it. Very loving dogs and can be quite sensitive. Hes my first dog and I couldn't have asked for better. Hes amazing.

Do you live in the country? It might work if you do. They aren't really city dogs. Mind you, my neighbour has one but she spends hours flinging balls for it on our local rec. When she is out all day she asks me to go in and throw balls into the garden for him.

I have two bernese mountain dogs and they make very few demands on me. They are walked- and they sleep. They don't require any balls throwing!

I do think collies are hard work compared with other breeds, but im also a big believer in getting the breed that makes your heart sing.

yeah my thoughts exactly! Let's hope the dog doesn't end up in rescue in 6 months/a year when the family realise they don't have the time/energy for it. I don't understand why some people become fixated on certain breeds of dog. Rather than finding a breed that slots into their existing family life. I'd love a dog but instead we have cats and I also foster cats and kittens. My friends have a doberman and have barely been on holiday in the last 12 years as the dog is reactive at times with other dogs and inly settles well in its own home. Their dog is from a breeder with a good pedigree but still can't be taken to cafes and beer gardens etc or round to friends houses. It's big too and tons of issues with arthritis. Even with a puppy you still can't guarantee the sort of adult dog you will get.

@MyCoralHedgehog Firstly I haven't made my mind up I'm still on the fence and will be for quite awhile till I've done more research. secondly @MoominMai why would you be surprised? Where do I say it'll be fine?. Do you all think everyone is incapable of giving a dog a great family life? Yes I've always wanted one are people not allowed wants in life?, I live next to a field, I've fields all around me im in the countryside, my house is not a regular sized house it's quite sizeable with an acre of garden as for my children they are easy going kids, all independent and good with animals I see no issue having a pet dog and kids, some of us can handle a busy hectic life that's how I like it.

The fact that everyone is more concerned about how I'd react getting one, "I'll want rid of it quick" "I've already got a busy life" is deeply concerning, all I wanted was an input on the breed not my lifestyle and my family life, that aside is my issue and to be honest would make my life better as I love busy, on the go constant lifestyle. I get it Collies are working dogs, I know this always have done @DangerousAlchemy I'm also not one those people who give up on animals, I've had all types of animals in my life, when it got tough I powered through it and never ever gave up on them, stop assuming we are all the same. Is it bad for loving and adoring a certain breed?. I'm looking into other breeds that's are compatible with my family but at this moment nothing concrete even with the Collie dog.

I think the problem is people are extremely protective of dogs and see people getting dogs they can’t handle and then negligently rehome. All of those people said they’d be fine too.

I adore and would love a malinios but I know it would do no one any favours. I have had a few really difficult dogs and the last dog, the breeder basically interviewed us twice and refused others as owners.

Having fields all around you is irrelevant, unless there is public access to them and it means you can walk a dog without having to drive somewhere first. Having an acre garden just means you walk further with you trowel and bag when you’re clearing up its waste. A dog can’t go out to enjoy the fields surrounding you unless you take it, and if the fields are grazed the dog will always be on a lead, if they’re arable you’re worrying about what’s been sprayed and you’re washing the dog’s feet every time you’ve walked along a (publicly accessible) field margin as agricultural run-off can be highly toxic.

You say you want a border collie because they’re “obedient”. I guess you haven’t encountered the ones that aren’t obedient at all. Their intensely clever brains are quick to learn, and just as quick to learn the wrong things if you’re not competent to train it consistently, keep its focus, and engage its brain in a way that keeps from getting into trouble - or worse, biting a child, or killing something.

ETS. I’ve had three border collies and three Belgian shepherds, I’ve shown in breed, competed obedience and trained the Belgians for working trials. I’m surrounded by fields… but only have a half acre garden!

I love them, but nowadays I’m happy to admire my breeder friend’s pack of collies, showing and successful in agility and scent work, active and engaged.

It’s not an understatement when people are saying they need a huge amount of mental and physical training and exercise.

This is a massive undertaking.

As I said above getting a collie is big decision but then getting any dog is. There is a lot of negativity about getting collie as a family pet here. We have an 18 month old one and I grew up with them - all pest never worked. They’ve all been amazing pets in their own way. We love ours to bits - he does require walks and entertainment but equally he’s spent the morning laying on my office floor happily chilling. As soon as I move he’s with me ready to go any time. When we got a dog I did read a lot of negativity about getting a collie but we went ahead as we wanted and he’s been great. The kids love him, he’s great with them. He is a bit of a car chaser but work in progress.

think carefully about it but I would say don’t be put off by the negativity - pick your litter carefully and the one from that litter and you can end with the most wonderful pet.

Get one then! Don’t ask for opinions if you’re determined to get one anyway! Huge mistake in my opinion though. When you eventually give in and have to get it rehomed remember the advice you were given, and please make a huge donation to the rescue centre as they need it! They are all struggling with the aftermath of lockdown puppies. I know. I help in one as a volunteer. You’re being very selfish but just get on with it and don’t ask advice if you don’t like what you are advised

That's ridiculously harsh. Plenty of people have border collies. I live in a London suburb and my neighbour has one. Every dog and every owner is different.

@Strawberrypie33 i never said that you said it would be fine. But I said a lot about what I learnt about the breed and where I thought you may encounter issues. You were absolutely free to counter my concerns. Nothing I said attacked you, I only passed on my personal thoughts which is what I thought you wanted so you could read a load of different opinions and experiences to make up your mind. There’s no point asking for thoughts on MN especially on a subject so many people are passionate about and then get defensive with anyone who doesn’t immediately respond in the affirmative.

Don’t get a border collie. They are beautiful & intelligent dogs but they are working dogs & family life is not suited to that breed. Seen far too many with behaviour issues despite the owners best efforts.

there are plenty of other breeds better suited for families, e.g. Labrador, golden retriever, Staffies.

Although to be fair, a working lines lab or Goldie will also need a job
Perhaps slightly easier than a farm bred collie but still not a typical pet home candidate in many cases

You're right a lab is not great but neither is going for any type of herding dog if you're not going to work it.
It's not just the vast amount of physical exercise they need it's the constant stimulation of mental exercise. If they get bored they don't flake out and sleep on the sofa they invent new ways to wind you up, new bad habits, strange obsessions.
Also they like to nip (as part of rounding up and herding) children. We're not talking blood here but really there's more than 2 breeds to choose from.