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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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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:

poorpaws · 15/03/2013 23:58

If inexperienced I feel neither breed are suitable, if experienced a collie wins by miles for me. Id go for a border collie cross. Ive got a whippet, border collie cross, shes fabulous, amazing, delightful, fantastic ........

CuriousMama · 15/03/2013 23:59

Boxers are great with dcs and fantastic house dogs. But yes very exuberant and never grow up. I love them though. There are plenty in rescue as my friend is part of a charity who rehomes them.

Collies do need loads of exercise but are very clever imo. Maybe you could go to agility classes with one?

GemmaTeller · 16/03/2013 14:15

You can successfully teach a boxer to jump up and down on a trampoline

Owllady · 16/03/2013 14:44

well I would say a border collie but I am biased too
and they are so loyal.

I have two girls (lost my old girl 18 months ago, also a collie) and they follow me from room to room and sit on my feet and want cuddles all the time, so i don't understand why people don't think they are loving and snuggly, they really are!

But I think you need to be sure before you take one on as I think most people are either collie people or they aren't. I have had my little one for 4 months now and she is like a sponge. I am on my fifth week of puppy training classes and the teacher said we have to teach our dog a trick this week. She said what does your dog not know? and she didn't know how to weave through our legs, so teacher said lets have a go. She did it immediately with the teacher whilst looking at me straihhjt in the eyes as if to say 'look at me! i can do it, look at me!'

BuddyButters · 16/03/2013 14:59

Collie. Clever and beautiful. Boxers are hideous.

CuriousMama · 16/03/2013 15:03

Boxers aren't hideous. At least they don't nip at your feet, I've known a few border collies do this. Plus they look like teddy bears when they're puppies.

TrinityRhino · 16/03/2013 15:09

boxers are not hideous

dont be so mean

BuddyButters · 16/03/2013 15:11

Yes, what dogs look like when they're puppies is an excellent way to pick a breed.

They're still ugly as adults and may well nip your feet as puppies. Many pups do, regardless of breed. And if you're incapable of teaching a pup not to nip ankles you're certainly not bright enough to own a collie.

SorrelForbes · 16/03/2013 15:13

Arf at the trampolining boxer!

SecretNutellaFix · 16/03/2013 15:16

I'm biased and I say collie, but only if you have enough time and energy to focus their intelligence and energy.

If I am ever in a position to have another dog it will be a collie/collie cross.

CuriousMama · 16/03/2013 15:21

BuddyButters the puppy thing was meant lightheartedly. I'm perfectly intelligent thank you. You sound like one of those people who prefers animals to humans?

Good luck with whatever lovely dog you choose OP. Am sure you'll be a great pet owner.

CuriousMama · 16/03/2013 15:23

Oh and BB I now own a lurcher who had been given up twice he was such hard work. He's now adorable and well trained. He would've probably been put to sleep. He hated other dogs and went crazy when he saw them. I had him socialised within 2 weeks. Now he's a bit over friendly like me but is a great dog.

GemmaTeller · 16/03/2013 15:57

Boxers are beautiful with their squishy, smoochy faces

Thumbtack · 16/03/2013 16:22

Boxer . . Wise words from monkeyfacegrace

QuietTiger · 16/03/2013 16:44

Collies win hands down every time for me. (But then I'm hideously biased as I have 3).

if you do plan on a collie, can I ask you to please look here Wiccaweys they are an experienced collie rescue, who can and do brilliantly match the dog to the home, so you will get the amazing & perfect collie that everyone knows, because they'll be able to adapt to your lifestyle.

PLEASE DO NOT get a working puppy from an unknown source and expect it to fit in to an urban life. Many, many collies make fantastic family pets and happily live in an urban setting, with the right circumstances & stimulation, but there are many thousands more that are bought by people who don't anticipate their needs and they end up with a screwed-up, under stimulated dog.

Collies are awesome, fantastic dogs, but please if you do go down the collie route, go to a specialist rescue. :)

tigerlilly81 · 16/03/2013 16:58

I have a boxer and my OH used to have a collie, boxers are family pets, we have a 2YO who can really push his luck at times with the dog, the dog plays differently with our son than with us, is very gentle and holds back, he seems to know not to go over the top. They need exercise but probably not as much as a collie, collies can get bored if not trained well ( chew etc ), we have been able to train our boxer, he doesn't go upstairs at all, stays off all furniture, wont eat his food until we take his paw and is great off the lead. Does not dribble as i expected a boxer would but we do have to wipe his mouth after he eats! i dont know if we got lucky as our dog is failrly calm, but i do know that all boxers want is company. Collies are great too, as long as you can put in lots of time to train/exercise to keep boredom at bay.

katecreate · 16/03/2013 17:08

BOXER! They're the best dogs ever. Never grow up.

Our boxer jumps on the trampoline too, GemmaTeller !

BuddyButters · 16/03/2013 18:29

Tiger I strongly advise you put a stop to your son "pushing his luck" with the dog. One of these days his luck will run out and you're going to feel awful.

Owllady · 16/03/2013 18:50

I agree with QuietTiger, a breed specific rescue is better with a collie and I recommend wiccaweys too as I have one of their dogs :)! and they were extremely helpful and the dog I have off them was very much suited to our family (I think so anyway, I adore her)

ItsallisnowaFeegle · 16/03/2013 18:50

A bouncy Boxer every time

QuietTiger · 17/03/2013 13:21

Collies are just like Marmite. You either love or hate them. Me, personally, I'd never have any other type of dog.

digerd · 17/03/2013 14:00

I've had my little dog 2-years-old for 2.5 months and discovering something new about her everyday. Had the same breed before, but this one is quirky.

She does have thick weather resistant hair and can't care less about the weather < unlike me>. First time in the rain yesterday, when we got back home she was all hyper - her breed is known for being non hyper- and acted up when I got the towel over her. She then raced round the room like a mad thing full of glee, played with her furry friends which she never does, and then humped one of them. I was stunned.
Then she laid down, like a cat and slept for ages looking like a stuffed teddy bear as usual.
It was obviously her way of trying to dry herself off.

Branleuse · 17/03/2013 14:13

dont get a collie unless you are going to mentally stimulate it, otherwise they have a tendency to become neurotic and mental. They are bred to have constant interaction.

My top tip is to go to a rescue centre and choose a DOG that you like, not a breed,

I dont really agree with breeding puppies for money when there are thousands of rescue dogs needing homes. You can still get young puppies from rescue centres

charlearose · 17/03/2013 14:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LST · 17/03/2013 22:17

Bordrr collie all the way. They make amazing companions and truly great pets. Ours is brilliant. I have 3 cats and a 16 mo and ddog is great with all concerned. Yes they need walks but we find a good hour with a ball knackers him out. The only downside is mud loves them.... Only a drizzle on mud will get them filthy!!

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