Rough collie or dalmatian - views please!

[Cloudtree]

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..

But why? Really good breeders aren’t in it for the cash. They devote so much time and money and care and attention to each litter. They wouldn’t want to split that between two bitches. It would suggest to me a commercial breeder who’s dogs are simply a cash cow. Why not have a litter a year or 18 months later?

“So, if a breeder doesn't have multiple litters then surely they have either deliberately stopped one or more bitches breeding at the same time”

Well yes, they’d not be breeding from a bitch every year anyway, so they’d stagger the litters so it gets the right amount of attention.

Rough collie would get my vote between the two. Lots of Dalmatians have questionable temperaments.

Obviously German Shepherd beats both hands down mine would never leave us long enough to consider escaping!

You could also look at Tervuren which have a similar look to a rough collie. I’ve met a fair few and they have all been lovely well behaved dogs.

Absolutely nothing wrong with a Rough as a first dog, as long as you are happy that you understand their grooming needs, most are very laid back and will take as much exercise as you like (when adult of course). Far easier dog than a Dalmatian.

Collielife.com is the best resource for finding litters (in Smooth Collies too). It also has lots of advice on grooming and there is a list of people who are happy to give pet owners grooming advice too.

Do note that there are differences in ‘type’ in the breed - look at photos of dogs from different breeders to find your preference.

Would strongly recommend that you do not neuter a Rough unless medically necessary. They are not a confrontational breed, and neutering can have an adverse effect on the coat and make it very difficult to deal with.

You should ensure that the pups have been eye tested and I would always prefer hip scores too.

Have owned (and bred occasionally, but not now) Roughs for 30+ years, if you have any questions.

I've never, ever come across a good breeder that would have two litters at the same time.

Puppies are a LOT of work and one litter needs a lot of attention with regards to feeding, socialisation etc. It just wouldn't make sense at all.

Goldenbee
Dals don't have issues with skull size, that's cav spaniels. Dals have issues with purines/urine stones and deafness. Both real and selective

I wouldn't rely on your kids to provide care. Even at that age they get bored with responsibility quickly. (I know I did. Happy enough to train him to roll over etc, less happy to schlep about in the rain picking up poop.)

As a first dog, I would never ever ever go with a puppy. You just need to read the threads on here to see how often that goes tits up.

Also echoing what everyone else says about breeders. "It seems fine" isn't good enough and when you go with a bad breeder, you are supporting animal cruelty. I'm sure you don't want to do that.

I also wouldn't go with a collie as a first time owner, they are hard work (lovely dogs, but hard work).

In your position, I'd probably try fostering a dog from a shelter first. See how you get on, see if it fits in with your lifestyle, see if your kids actually take responsibility. You'd be doing the dog a favour too, getting them socialised for a new owner.

Even having grown up with dogs my whole life and having fostered dogs, I was pissed off and resentful of my dog for the first year or so. He was harder work than my babies, and I'm not exaggerating. Prepare for that to happen to you too, it's very common to get "puppy blues" or "rescue regret". Look it up. It's usually temporary, but it happens.

Investigate things like boarding, pet sitting, groomers etc BEFORE you get the dog. Make sure there are decent facilities in your area - it is near impossible for us to find suitable boarding for our dog which makes going on holiday very difficult and stressful. Remember that the dog can't be left alone for more than a few hours, so family days out shopping or doing anything not dog friendly will be much more difficult - I don't remember the last time we spontaneously went on a day trip to another town without the dog, everything has to be arranged in advance.

It's easy to go into dog ownership blind and think it will all be lovely walks and nice cuddles on the sofa. But it can also be stressful and restrictive. I love my dog, he is my best friend and I adore him, but it is hard too.

I also wouldn't go with a collie as a first time owner, they are hard work (lovely dogs, but hard work)

ITS NOT A BORDER COLLIE!
THEY ARE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT BREED!

Seriously, if you don't know that Lassie and the border collie are two completely different blinking dogs you shouldn't bother commenting.

They are like chalk and cheese!

Where did I say a border collie?

In my experience, the Lassie type dogs aren't great as a first dog either.

Is it ok for me to comment now that I've clarified that, queen of the board?

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.

You don't sound in any way prepared or capable of dealing with a puppy of any breed. Puppies are very hard work and require an incredible amount of dedication, patience and training in order to be well-behaved family members.

Dally fam,lovely to hear about your boy and girl.I know what you mean about the hairs,but black trousers are my Go To and I just live with white hairs as well now!.Really nice to hear about other Dally owners on here(and some other breeds as well).Where we are ,every other person has a lab ! yellow,black.chocolate !.Love them (as all dogs) but always seem the "safe" option!,

iamalwayslikethis There are a lot of posts on here that are clearly confusing rough collie with border collie.
You don't have to specifically say 'border', its obvious.

It's just a bit annoying when the op is asking about a specific breed and posters are coming out with completely and utterly inaccurate information.

The rough collie is very very different in temperament.
They are totally different dogs.
Rough/smooth collies are typically very laid back, calm, placid, easy going dogs with little to no work drive.
The only aspect that could be a bit problematic is their coat.

dottiedodah, lovely to hear from another Dally fam.
Bumble bee .... dallies live the same age as any other breed, my girl is nearly 14 years old, both her mum and her grandmother lived till they were 16. They also do not have small skulls. They are is a lot of misconceptions about the breed. My dalmatians are totally chilled, know the settle command and come everywhere with me.
Yes, you need to select from a good breeder to eradicate the deafness and yes, they can get stones, the same as other breeds having health issues. Provided you do your homework and select foods low or medium in purines, and make sure their fluid intact is good, then stones should not form.
Hope this helps.

In my experience, the Lassie type dogs aren't great as a first dog either.

Do you have any actual experience of living with them? They are one of the easiest dogs to live with (as long as you don't mind a bit of hair).

Why not go to a few rehoming centres and give a dog a chance.

Either way I would be securing my boundaries.

Dogs left out tend to wander as far as they are able

You don't sound in any way prepared or capable of dealing with a puppy of any breed.

I'm feeling a bit shocked at this board. Why would anyone assume we are totally unprepared and incapable?

It's always entertaining, Cloudtree ... I sent you a PM last night, have you noticed it?

Rough collies are nothing like border collies, they can be quite clever but don't need anything like the stimulation border collies do. The main thing they need is company, they don't do well if left for long periods. Grooming is not nearly as bad as people make out, if anything it is easier than some as they only really shed it a couple of times a year rather than growing cotinuously like a poodle.

As a breed they are very loyal to their family but can be noise sensitive, make sure if you get one you expose them to as many noises as possible in the early weeks. Ours came to us as a teenager and we can't seem to get her used to some noises no matter how hard we try!!

I don't know much about dalmations, but I have never seen one that is dog friendly. I'm sure there are some, but I've seen too many dog aggressive ones now that I cross the road when I see one.

I've just PMd you back Whitney. Thank you so much.

Maybe, OP, because you won't answer the questions about where you found a breeder that just happens to have an immediate litter.

Yes she did, she said she found it on the KC club website?

The rough collie litter is through the kennel club website so should be fine

From the OP.

Rough collies aren't a terribly popular breed (thankfully) and pretty much all registered KC breeders will advertise on the KC club website.
You'll find a large proportion of KC breeders, including assured on pets4home too.

I personally hate kennel club/breed club and want dogs to be bred for work ability which I think also naturally includes temperament and health (although I'd like to see more health testing) as you can't really have decent working dogs with shit temperaments and health, the three rather go hand in hand.
Unlike KC/breed club where appearance is no1 priority.

But Roughs/smooths don't work anymore.
So you only really have two options for a pup.
An unregistered, family 'hobby' breeder or a registered Kennel Club breeder who will advertise litters on the kennel club website.

Or if OP goes with a sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog), there rare some breeders who specialise in dogs with an aptitude for agility.

Cloudtree, I am sure that whatever breed you choose, it will be the right choice and wish you well on your journey 😍

I would avoid working dogs as your first dog, also would avoid terriers of any type as they chew everything in sight, avoid spaniels/water dogs as they are quite high energy, I have owned all types of dogs and find lap dogs (shitzhus/bichon etc) to be a great first dog