This is a very interesting thread. I have always wanted a collie but have been warned off by so many people. Is the general consensus that a failed sheepdog is a better bet than a working dog?
Yes, I was surprised by the level of negativity when I got mine.
Family members that I thought would be supportive really weren’t and I have had my fair share if not very nice comments from people out and about.
‘It’s cruel having one’/‘it’s not a pet’/‘your irresponsible having it around children’
Etc etc
IMO, a failed sheepdog (that has failed through lack of interest) is probably an ‘easier’ pet because IMO it’s largely herding instinct that can make them challenging.
That said, mine is a worker through and through and is a lovely pet.
But other dogs often don’t like her which is really hard to deal with, not only because your anxious incase another dog has a go but also because sooner or later after repeated aggression they (and I mean all dogs here, not specifically collies) become aggressive themselves.
Her herding instinct has been hard to handle at times.
Cars for instance, I couldn’t walk her reliably near cars for about a year because she was frankly dangerous, utterly committed to trying to get in front of the cars to stop them moving, crouching, lying down, giving eye...
So in those two respects I think a lower drive ‘failed’ worker, if failed through low drive, would likely be an easier pet.
How to pick a dog which is not neurotic?
Look at the parents.
Often, the puppy will inherit a similar temperament.
Calm, confident dogs tend to produce pups that grow into calm, confident dogs.
Nervy, frantic dogs tend to produce pups that grow into nervy, frantic dogs.