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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

Owners of collies; tell me about your family.

33 replies

FiveHoursSleep · 06/03/2015 12:07

We are looking for a rescue young dog/puppy and I keep coming back to collies.
I'd really love one, the dog-interested children in the family would like one, we've got/had collie crosses in the past but I'm wary of a full collie.
I'm worried they are too intelligent/ active for me/my family.
So if you have one, can you tell me how much exercise/training they get a day, how many kids you have and what life is like with a collie in the house!

OP posts:

Mrsjayy · 16/03/2015 21:59

This Is minging but he goes nuts over dh work socks yuck

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 16/03/2015 22:34

My lovely girl would never, ever steal socks. Especially not DS's work socks. Never.

I wonder if her foster mum called her Sox for a reason....

Owners of collies; tell me about your family.

boom16 · 15/03/2016 08:10

Amazed at how many people ask on here for "advice" on Border Collies behaviour, training etc.... Borders are fantastic dogs but people DO NOT research enough before taking the step to get one. If you get a BC pup from herding line, chances are that they will show this as they grow, it's not rocket science. They will herd anyone and anything given chance, it's in their blood!! Cannot believe that people actually use Dogs Trust!! Not the place to find a BC, they will sell you anything just to make a sale, they are not experts . There are specific rescue places that KNOW the breed and will give you the correct information before taking one, so seek them out.
They are highly intelligent and need constant stimulus, regular excercise and literally are mans best friend. But to choose to have one without reading into the breed is the reason that so many end up being taken to rescue centres to be rehoused. There is a fabulous book out there all about the psychology of this wonderful breed-buy the book, research thoroughly and don't just have one because they're gorgeous- it could/will backfire!

Owllady · 15/03/2016 08:18

I disagree actually that they needs loads of stimulus, I think you have to be careful not to over stimulate them and they need to be taught calm as they can become over anxious but I think above everything else they like company.

I grew up with collies though (so did my mum) and we've always had collies, so I suppose I'm just used to the breed, rather than pretending to be an 'expert'

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 15/03/2016 08:48

Amazed at how many people ask on here for "advice" on Border Collies behaviour, training etc...

So many people that you had to trawl through a year of posts to find someone asking for advice?

Owllady · 15/03/2016 10:35

:o
Some all collie owners are mad though hells.....

gutrotwein · 19/03/2016 19:33

I love my collie!
He's smooth-haired (ish) and nearly 2. As long as he gets lots of exercise, he's happy and calm in the house. We walk him nearly 7 miles every day (in two spurts - and it's worth adding that it's VERY flat around here!) and we have a very big garden that he uses for doggy activities (frogging, horse spying, digging) He does agility once a week: sometimes more. He isn't destructive at all and looks after his toys better than an average child!

One thing we have found is that he can 'take against' a few dogs, so we always put him on a lead if a dog is approaching. Saying that, he's got loads of mates that we join for doggy playdates with no trouble at all. He's just a little unpredictable (as most dogs are.)

He will start to herd (stalks and circles) if put in a situation with a lot of dogs (e.g. at agility class), but at least it keeps him busy while we're waiting for our turn!

I think it's a great advantage that we're retired and can give him more attention and exercise than we could if we still worked. He's the first dog we've owned in our adult lives, and we're loving it.

Here he is - watching Crufts agility.

OhShutUpThomas · 19/03/2016 19:44

I have a blue merle and a black and white. The black and white is a brilliant worker and the merle is just starting. They're lovely dogs and I love collies, wouldn't be without mine. They are lovely with the children and just all round brilliant dogs.

However, they have a LOT of exercise. They work, and they are outside free range all day every day. I'm not sure they'd cope in a house.
They are real working strains though - I know there are loads of collie dogs who are totally happy house pets with lots of exercise. I would say that they need a job though - even fun agility.

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