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The doghouse

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Original poster

Boxer or border collie?

87 replies

lainiekazan · 15/03/2013 10:51

Almost on the point of going to see some boxer puppies but dh says he'd still prefer a collie.

Dcs are 14 and 9. I am at home most of the time.

Which would be best?

OP posts:
Moomoomie · 15/03/2013 10:53

I am so biased, but Border Collie all the way. Our wonderful collie lived to be nearly 16 and was the most wonderful loyal friend.

poorbuthappy · 15/03/2013 10:55

I am biased too.
But border collie all the way.

tabulahrasa · 15/03/2013 11:01

It depends...

They're both high energy breeds, collies are more trainable - not that boxers are untrainable, just more, um exuberant, lol.

Collies are smaller, but then you've got all that fur to deal with.

It depends which is more suited to what you want to do really.

willyoulistentome · 15/03/2013 11:02

I have two boxers living next door to me and they are VILE barky aggressive lunatics! Get a collie!

kalidanger · 15/03/2013 11:04

I am biased towards collies too. They are so clever. The one I knew (friend's ddog) was so doggish - jumped into rivers to swim and fetch sticks, loved the beach, lovely with the DCs, bright as a button and very handsome.

Original poster
lainiekazan · 15/03/2013 11:07

I like exuberance... but I am a small person and maybe a big exuberant dog would see me haring all over town dragged at the end of a lead...

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 15/03/2013 11:09

I quite like boxers they're friendly, playful and great fun... I mean I'd not have one, because they're madder than a box of frogs, but it is in a very lovely way.

But then I'd not have a collie either, they're both breeds that need too much exercise for me.

It really is just personal preference though, it's not like one's a complete couch potato and the other needs all that walking.

AmandaLF · 15/03/2013 11:11

Boxer! My parents have 2 and they're fantastic fun.
Yes, they're boisterous and they never grow up.

If I could have a dog it would be a boxer.

GinAndSlimlinePlease · 15/03/2013 11:14

collies are great Grin we had them growing up, fab for kids.

They do need a lot of exercise though. If you can't give them that, it's not fair to the dog as they really need it.

issey6cats · 15/03/2013 11:16

i love boxers but they are known for being loonies and they dribble my border collie lived to be 17 and was fantastic so my bias would be border collie too

HerbyVore · 15/03/2013 11:16

Border Collie. They are so intelligent.

akaemmafrost · 15/03/2013 11:17

I wouldn't have either of these breeds unless a very experienced dog owner. Hard work ime.

StuckOnARollercoaster · 15/03/2013 11:27

As both are an active breed but possibly with different personality traits then your choice really is personal preference - difficult if you and your DH prefer the different breed.
By the way I'm with your DH and would prefer the collie - love those dogs so much. Love how bright and intelligent they are and the image of a 'working partnership' with their humans. Boxers are fun and I do like their playfulness but are a peg or two down from the collie!

Original poster
lainiekazan · 15/03/2013 11:28

Oh, dear. Just when I'd almost made up my mind!

I must say I do like an intelligent dog. That's what puts me off labradors, retrievers, red setters... every single one I've encountered has been really thick. Totally lacking in any personality.

OP posts:
ginmakesitallok · 15/03/2013 11:32

Just remember that boxers are pups forever. My mum had had a few boxers, and dp and I would love one, but they are just too much work!

monkeyfacegrace · 15/03/2013 11:32

No no, NO, do not get a collie of any kind.

Do you have experince of agility? Flyball? Working? A collie is NOT a suitable pet, regardless of whose second cousins friends friends dads uncle said so.

A boxer is hard work physically, but at least isnt going to go literally insane without mental stimulation.

HerbyVore · 15/03/2013 11:36

I am very offended at you saying that Labs are really thick.

MerryMingeWhingesAgain · 15/03/2013 11:40

I think some collies make good pets. I've got one, and he is fabulous. You do have to exercise them though. I am by nature too lazy to have a collie, but I do it. In the rain, the snow, the ice. Mud and hair everywhere, all the time. But he is so damn good, and loving.

Didn't realise just how stubborn and untrainable and bordering on dim, our little old terrier is, until we got the collie Grin

GemmaTeller · 15/03/2013 11:43

Boxers all the way for me (but I am biased)

They are big, bouncy, playful, affectionate, silly, sleep a lot, are prone to prefer home comforts, love people and are the best cuddlers.

They do not bark for no reason (boxers have been called the silent guard dog). My boxers would sooner just stand at the window and watch whats happening, they do bark when the doorbell goes but stop barking once you go to open the door.

Visitors to my house (workmen particularly) have commented how good/biddable/quiet they are.

But, they are big and strong, they do take longer to train but ARE trainable, the only reason a boxer ends up an exited lunatic is because they haven't have the time and patience spent on them to train them.

Original poster
lainiekazan · 15/03/2013 11:43

Sorry, HerbyVore - I'm sure some labradors would gain entry to MENSA, or the doggy equivalent!

OP posts:
GemmaTeller · 15/03/2013 11:44

HerbyVore I don't think Labs are thick Smile

mistlethrush · 15/03/2013 11:45

We recently had to go through the hard choice of deciding what sort of dog we would choose when mistledog died last October. We were considering collie crosses for a while - but my family had two that were both really energetic - clever and loyal with it - but needing lots of exercise and mental stimulation, and stubborn too. We could through a hard rubber ball as far as we could, wait for dog to be returning with it and throw another (so the first landed at our feet) and carry on until we were tired - the dog would simply have carried on - and we would have two or three sessions like that plus two or three decent walks at day when we got the first. Thankfully, having two at least meant that they would chase each other around the (large) garden.

So - collie crosses were ruled out as needing too much attention every day for our lives.

Whilst I like the boxers I have met, I would never get something that has such a squashed face and nose - I've seen so many that wheeze when they're older or have problems with their eyes.

So - we got a rescued lurcher. She is wonderful with playing with DS (7) - and likes playing hide and seek in the woods with him, or football in the garden. Retreiving is not her strong point, but we might get there one day!

She gets two or three walks a day - a 40 min one a longer one at lunchtime (often with other dogs to run with) and sometimes another nip out in the evening. Most of the rest of the time, if we are not actively encouraging her to play, she is quite content to snooze away on the sofa or her bed - preferably in company. For our requirements, we couldn't have got a more ideal dog.

BinarySolo · 15/03/2013 11:48

Get a Springer Spaniel!

But if you must go for a collie or boxer, then collie wins hands down. I'd get a male tho, as they tend to be less snappy than bitches with other dogs. Also invest in a head collar (gentle leader's are excellent) and use from early days to stop pulling. Dogs can do permanent damage to their wind pipes by pulling on a lead.

I'd seriously recommend training and getting involved in a sport like flyball or agility too.

Have fun!

Floggingmolly · 15/03/2013 11:49

Boxer. I love them Smile

TrinityRhino · 15/03/2013 11:49

I would say boxer but I'm biased. Our white boxer pup Lolly is just adorable. Full of personality, rarely barks, loves cuddles.
Very exuberant but definitely trainable.

I would worry that collies really need to be worked a lot and aren't so keen to snuggle down and watch telly with you of an evening lol

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