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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

Looks like we have a dog - retired sheepdog

14 replies

YoniMatopoeia · 01/01/2014 23:09

We are visiting the ILs in Scotland. They have a girl from the same place, who has calmed into their house after working all her life. Then they mentioned that they have a boy that is looking for a home. We have been considering getting a dog, so went for a look...

He is an ex champion see here

I have to say, we have him for the first trial night tonight and he is a love. He has been a working dog, and is all dirty and matted, but is loving attention, loves being brushed, brilliant with all of the kids, and adjusting to being in a house, not a kennel, very well. Also he is obviously VERY well trained on recall etc...

I am not doing a mad thing am I?

He will be in a v different environment when we get back to military base in oxfordshire, and I wonder what we should consider/train him in next?

OP posts:

ohfourfoxache · 02/01/2014 00:49

No advice I'm afraid (I'm very much a cat person!) but just wanted to say he's GORGEOUS!

I'm sure that as long as he has lots of love he'll be a very happy pup.

Congratulations on your new addition!

Dirtybadger · 02/01/2014 01:30

Are you mad? Maaaaybe.

Have you had a dog before? Is so, what breed(s)? Have you owned a working dog before? How old is he?

I'm sure you'll learn lots about him on his little holiday with you anyway, and be able to judge yourself, but working BCs can have more complex needs than lots of other breeds. But if you've owned BCs (especially from working stock) then maybe you're used to it?
When he's with you what sort of environment will he be in, in the country? Will there be a lot of traffic, etc? And how old are the kids? Is he used to kids?

NuttyMuttie · 02/01/2014 09:10

Have you asked all the right questions before you have taken him on?

He may be retired but does he know this? - if he has herded for years he will still want to to do this - have you the facilities to offer him this?

He may prefer to live outside if he always has

What was/is his daily routine like - some working dogs are very independent and only have structure a few times a day when they are working - they can be left to free roam and may find smaller properties harder to live on.

What is he like in strange and new locations?

Have you seen what he is like with dogs he does not know and in different locations?

What is his health like?

Why is he retired? Is it due to age or other issues?

Are you an experienced collie owner? Even retied collies will get bored and find things to do if you do not stimulate them - they are very affectionate dogs but do need more than cuddles, walks and love.

Personal soap box how can people get rid of older dogs that have worked so well for them up to this point

Original poster

YoniMatopoeia · 02/01/2014 10:17

He has been great. Good with the other dogs (both bitches, we know from his owner that he may not be great with other male dogs). He has been great with the kids from toddler upwards. He was quite happy in the house all evening and this morning.

He is retired because of arthritis, which is no good on the hills around here. He can't work any more, and they wanted him to have a retirement home. They have turned down all other offers where it was obvious that they wanted him to work.

DH has had dogs all through his childhood, including collies.

We live in a rural location on a military base. He is fine with the fast jets that go over here, so the helicopters should be no problem. There is not much road traffic as we are behind the wire, so only residents driving v slowly.

Looks like he is coming home with us

OP posts:

CMOTDibbler · 02/01/2014 10:31

I love BCs - but are you up to the exercise and mental stimulation they need? Especially one that has worked.
My parents had twin BC bitches (rescue), and they needed to be out and busy for at least 5 hours a day, every day, but preferred to be out all the time doing things in their very large garden in addition to off lead walks.
This was the case until they were very elderly indeed, and even then they needed things to do

mistlethrush · 02/01/2014 10:39

We had two collie crosses (we got a second one to 'help' the first one and it did work out) and they used to play for hours on end in the garden, as well as out on walks. You will need to give him lots of things to learn to do - whilst you might not want him jumping because of the arthritis, other bits of agility might be good for him - you might also look at obedience with him - and even something like the 'dancing' type moves. Clicker training would probably be a good thing for him and I'm sure that he would catch on really quickly. If you're at the base where I think you might be, lots of nice walks along the river - and he might enjoy a swim in there too.

Snugglepiggy · 02/01/2014 12:09

Well on a positive note here we took in a rescue collie when she was just 6 months old and our children were very small - in hindsight I went on a gut feeling keeping her a few days whilst we tried hard to find her previous owners.She had turned up in MILs garden and later vets said probably dumped off the nearby motorway.She lived to the ripe old age of almost 16 and was the most fantastic family dog.So obedient and loyal.Would do epic long walks,but equally happy to tuck herself in her bed or under the kitchen table.She did herd the kids in the garden when they were playing, but in a friendly and non- nippy way and they loved it!.We still miss her and although we have had / have other dogs she will always be my special girl.I hope it works out,and it sounds promising if he has settled in the house as you say.

Original poster

YoniMatopoeia · 02/01/2014 12:56

We will look at obedience training.

He is such a loving thing. Had a lovely walk around the woods, and then he has been happy lounging around and being spoilt with attention.

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NuttyMuttie · 02/01/2014 13:07

Sounds like he has landed on his feet You could look into treiball herding he may like this but then again after sheep may hate it!

I have 6 collie myself ageing from 18 months to 17 years love them all to bits - they are fantastic dogs

bassetfeet · 02/01/2014 21:15

What a grand dog Op Have many happy days with him .

NCISaddict · 05/01/2014 08:16

I've got a Border Collie, only five months old, from working stock but a delight to have. I've bought him some food mazes so he has to work for his food, he loves them and it makes him take time to eat instead of inhaling his food! We also hide treats around the house under his blankets and inside toys so he is busy when awake.
If you're where I think you are (Air ambulance is based there?) then it's a perfect place to have a dog like that.

He's gorgeous.

Original poster

YoniMatopoeia · 05/01/2014 08:42

Aww at baby collie. My ILs have had a pup from the same place that Joe came from - he was mostly white so considered unsuitable for sheepdoging.

He has settled really well. Seems to think that I am the boss (clever boy )

I want to teach him to fetch a ball. DH thinks this will be easy to do.

I have removed all of his matted bits from ears, neck abd tummy. His back legs and tail are still a mess, but I might leave those the dog grooming woman with a trailer, walk in bath and clippers.

OP posts:

NCISaddict · 05/01/2014 09:57

Finn is obsessed with balls so we have to be careful about taking one on a walk as that's all he wants to do. Very typical BC behaviour but they're incredibly rewarding dogs and so easy to train.

liquidstate · 07/01/2014 21:24

Have a semi retired collie. He is getting on so stays at home with me some days as he gets tired. The best thing to do is keep the mind active. They love conversation and are very intelligent. I taught my dog to retrieve his toys from the basket by each toys name and then he returns them.

I give him a glucisamine (sp?) tablet each night to help with the joints. He hasn't arthritis yet because he was never fully worked (husband is a worker on a mixed sheep/agricultural farm and tends to be more involved in the tractor work) despite being 12 years old.

Farm dogs can be slightly scruffy but have a lot of love to give. So glad you are giving this one a home.

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