Rough collie or dalmatian - views please!

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Right we might be taking the plunge and getting a puppy. This is the first time we've had a dog although DH always had dogs growing up.

I have two DSs 14 and 12. Two cats who have been with us for 8 years since they were kittens. 5 free ranging chickens...(I'm aware this could be an issue)

House is large and we have 5 acres of garden/woodland. I am a little concerned since it effectively isn't fenced off at the bottom of the wood. It has a post and wire fence only in that area, but it only backs onto unused woodland belonging to an absent neighbour.

I must admit I like my house to look nice and am a bit worried about it getting trashed. I am home a lot though since I work from home so hopefully that minimises the chance of a puppy going bonkers/getting bored and ruining the place.

Any thoughts on which might be a better fit for us. I like rough collies. DS2 favours a border collie although we have explained that they are generally happier when they are working. DH wants a husky which is obviously out of the question given the other animals. DS1 doesn't really mind.

I have spotted a beautiful dalmatian puppy and a litter of rough collies..

Can I suggest a Smooth Collie? They are fabulous.

Beautiful. Are they quite rare though? I've just done a quick google and there don't seem to be many puppies available

Unless the collie can work, it will go slowly nuts, don’t do it to the dog or yourself It’s very distressing to watch a dog get so bored it just stares at shadows and tries to catch them
Don’t know anything about dalmations really but weren’t they bred to trot along all day. ?

Both extremely hard work dogs which need lots of mental and physical stimulation. Not ideal first dogs. Have a look at the Kennel club website, it has loads of information on breed traits.

All of the dogs on your list are incredibly high energy, clever working dogs and need a lot of stimulation, probably not best for first time dog owners.

Have you thought about a Labrador? Easier to train (usually very food orientated). Mine is fab with our guinea pigs (they are free range and like to cuddle with ddog).

Mmm, interesting. One of the reasons for going for a rough collie was because of everything online that says they're really good first time dogs. Is that not right then?

Why not visit a rescue and see what takes your fancy? Your dc are old enough for a rescue ddog imo.

Bit of a generalisation but I'd say Dalmatian are not so hyper but not so easy to train. I'm a Dal fan mine have so far been quite chilled in the house so long as they have been adequately exercised. Collies reportedly need a lot of stimulation and not my cup of tea, but might well be yours. Both very intelligent breeds, though. Before I got my current Dal I would have said they completely lacked the obedience gene, but current one somewhat more obliging! Both to be fair are what I would call proper dogs, nice size, right shape.
Would definitely get fence fixed though. My dad used to tell a story of a collie that joined his walking group as far as the pub, then joined the next group back! Just took himself off for a walk. I can't imagine many dogs not taking advantage of a bit of no fence to make a break for freedom though.

unfortunately its not really a bit of fence, its about quarter of a mile of fence through dense woodland.. We do have a bit of garden that is securely fenced but it would be a shame to restrict a dog when we have such a lovely area available.

I'll get some fencing quotes though.

Have you considered a Spaniel? We have two, sprocker & a cocker. They're great boys, very obiendient, loving, fun, great with our DS who is 2. We had chickens & ducks when the sprocker arrived and he was brilliant with them, never once bothered them. In fact, they were more intrigued by him!

Rough Collie all day long over a dal.

Can I ask where you have found litters?

Smoothies are quite rare - best bet is to get in touch with the breed club. They really are sweethearts though - easy to train and happy to walk all day or sleep all day.

Dalmations need a lot of exercise - they are bred to trot along next to horse & carriages all day

Rough collies take a lot of grooming.

Neither seem easy choices for a first time dog owner

There is a world of difference between border collies and rough/smooth collies. My boy is happy in the week with two twenty minute walks a day, although he prefers more.

I don't know about intelligent. When it rained last week I caught him trying to catch a snail which was on the other side of the window

Between rough collie and Dalmatian I would 100% say rough collie.
Much healthier and imo much nicer, calmer, more biddable temperaments.

Huskies are known for their sky high pretty drive, even the breed rescues and clubs advise caution keeping them with cats. So I would say no to that.

I have a border collie.
I think they are great.
I have a working bred which I think are the best ones.
The agility/fly ball/trial lines I've known have been quite horrific - neurotic, no off switch, hyperactive..

• prey drive obviously, not pretty drive...

As a pp suggested, smooth collies also are nice.
Basically the same as rough minus the coat

If you’ve found litters online then walk away. Decent breeders don’t find owners like that. Go through the breed club.
Dalmatians are often bonkers. High energy dogs.
Be aware that you won’t be working from home with a pup! You have to watch them like a hawk to toilet train and avoid the house being chewed.
Also consider grooming. How much are you prepared to do?

Oh also, pp said about rough collie being high maintaince, needing work etc.

They are a totally different dog to border collies.
Not that border collies need anything close to the mental stimulation and exercise people think they do, they are very prone to suffering from stress from overstimulation actually.

But anyway, Rough collies are generally very calm and laid back.

They used to be working sheepdogs but the kennel club has successfully removed pretty much all work ability and turned them into pretty pets..

Well as my Dalmatian puppy arrives home with me tomorrow it's safe to say what I choose.

I have spent some time with our breeder and other people with the dogs and have been universally told by actual owners that their horrific reputation isn't really deserved. They are smart and energetic so they need attention, training and exercise. I would say that's true of a lot of breeds.

actual owners that their horrific reputation isn't really deserved

For me personally it isn't just about temperament, although the small number of Dalmatian have met have indeed had not so nice temperaments.

For me an equal concern is their poor health.
Deafness is a massive problem as is the lack of ability to cope with purines.

What really gives me the rage is that the purine issue was actually resolved, but the breed club and kennel club have kept very quiet indeed about LUA Dalmatian and they are very hard to find in the U.K.

You could also consider a Shetland Sheepdog - a smaller version of a Rough Collie. We've had 3 on the past & yes they're intelligent & need exercise but also love sleeping! & the bonus is you can actually pick them up & carry them if need be.

We would be aiming to get a puppy shortly and the DSs have 8 weeks off over the summer so there will be someone home to play constantly for the first few weeks

The rough collie litter is through the kennel club website so should be fine. I think we would probably be ok with the level of exercise since I can do a morning walk and a midday walk and DH goes for a run every evening. We spend most weekends outside in the garden too.

I'm favouring rough/smooth collie over dalmatian I think from this thread.

DS2 has just found a photo of a rough collie puppy cuddling a guinea pig so tbh I think the decision might be out of my hands..

How big is a shetland sheepdog squirrel?

Dalmatians are smart and energetic, however there are a lot of issues within the breed. If the OP was looking at litters that she had found on Facebook or somewhere like Gumtree/Pets4Homes for example, then people have cause for concern.

Also, they're not advisable for a first time dog owner.