Border collie, yes or no?

[CandyApple1995]

Do border collies make good family pets, yes or no? Would love to hear from people who own this breed, and why you would, or wouldn't recommend. Thanks 😊

We had a terrier puppy who joined a house with a resident cat. The cat absolutely ruled the roost.

Think a lot depends on the individual personality of the cat too.
I have a cat, she loves my collie.

Collie is definitely the boss though, my cat would never smack a dog I don’t think.
She isn’t confrontational at all.

My in laws have jack Russell terriers that have always lived with cats and all fine, their cats are quite bolshy though and will smack a dog if it’s being obnoxious.

We have a short haired border collie, she's a year old now.

We love love love her to bits, but if I knew then what I know now, I think I'd choose differently. She has relentless energy. Even with two long walks a day (my husband's retired so he does most of it) she's still very energetic, runs up and down the hall for ages, and is constantly looking for attention/play. I could be on the sofa looking at my iPad and she'll be right their next to me pushing the ipad out and showing me her toy chicken/pig/ball for the millionth time that day saying (in dog language) ''Look at me! Look at my toy! Play with me!'' It's just like having a furry, four legged toddler, only one that doesn't sleep as much.

Having said that, they're very bright, loyal and super-affectionate (too affectionate sometimes.) We both love her madly and my husband in particular would not be parted. In fact he was crying at the thought that she was going to stay at relatives when we went to New York a few months back. I think all our holidays will be in the UK from now onwards.

You've had some very good advice from
Frosted and others upthread, not a lot else to add but some pictures

Ours have all happily slept all day long and refused to go out in the garden if raining, happy to go for a walk but not just to nip out for a wee but will walk/run for miles when out. Our latest, 2yo, has a much higher drive than the others we've had, all from the same line. She ignores sheep when we're out but will chase deer, pheasants and partridge if we come across any. All of ours chewed remorselessly when pups, even with distraction toys.

Pictures of our current BC and her GGGGA we lost early at 10 and her GGA, with my DB cockapoo, who we lost late last year aged 15.

BCs are incredibly intelligent, pick skills up easily, pretty much have recall built in (as a generalisation).

I live in a rural area where there are a lot of BCs. I haven't met one that is good with other dogs. That is ok if the owners manage it well but none seem aware of the predatory nature of how a collie walks and stares so things sesm to go south very quickly. Also all the owners seem to send the dogs in to an adrenaline fuelled craze by throwing balls for them forever.

Most of the collies I know are very anxious and do things like shadow chase, too. Also quite a few herd children by nipping at their ankles. That being sad, if we grow calmness within our collies and don't feed the behaviours we don't want to see, they may not develop. Obviously genetics play a part.

Personally they are a bit too wired for me.

I've had border, bearded and collie crosses. If I was to get another border I wouldn't get a pup but try to find a 'non worky' adult rescue, and watch out for traits such as lunging at cars. Bearded collies are amazing, and border/beardie can be a good cross if you are lucky to end up with the best of each breed!

I like them but they are a working breed that need to be worked so unless it can be worked it would not be my first choice.

I have two border collies and couldn’t love them more. We are on a small croft so there is lots of space for them to roam. They are extremely loyal, friendly, calm but needs lots of stimulation so you need to have the time and work ethic.

My lovely BC is a rejected sheep dog, we got her as a puppy though and when we went to see her it was obvious seeing her alongside her sibling why she was never going to make it in that world!
The reasons why she would be a crap sheep dog are the same reasons why she’s a fantastic family dog.

I think a Border collie is only suited to a particular type of family, in other circumstances they can become bored and difficult to manage. I’ve know 6 different relatives collies in my time and the families that can keep them active, give them space to run and attention have had happy dogs.

Unfortunately, some of the dogs who’ve been in homes that are small, have lots of small children and haven’t been well trained have been a nightmare. I’ve been nipped on the fingers and herded by 4 of these dogs and 1 was so protective of some of my nieces that they became dangerous.

They do smell bloody awful too and I challenge anyone to lift an elderly, arthritic collie in to a bath, never again. That’s the other thing, they tend to have problems with arthritis and dodgy backs. So, not great for densely populated areas, the very young or elderly. I’ve you want an active dog what about a spaniel? They’re bloody nuts but I’ve never come across an aggressive one.

Most of the collies I know are very anxious and do things like shadow chase, too. Also quite a few herd children by nipping at their ankles. That being sad, if we grow calmness within our collies and don't feed the behaviours we don't want to see, they may not develop. Obviously genetics play a part

One of the collies a family member rescued was like this, he was owned by a young family who didn’t train him or hive him enough exercise and became unmanageable, he was extremely anxious and agitated for years.

Grew up with 2. Both gorgeous and lovely. But you need to be honest with yourself about how much stimulation and exercise you're prepared fit in for them. They need it!!! Very intelligent and easily trained.

We've got a border collie who's a year old now.

We love her to bits, she's changed our lives for the better....but if I knew then what I know now, I may have got a different breed.

Her energy is relentless. Despite two long walks a day and some time off lead, she's always on the go. She's like a toddler, always wanting attention. For instance she will run up and down the hall for ages with her toys, will come to you with a toy wanting to play for ages, even though you're busy doing something else or just want to chill. She needs constant attention and stimulation.

On the plus side, she's very loyal, has excellent recall, is very friendly with both dogs and people and is always sooo happy to see us (as we are with her.)

I love her so much but she's exhausting.

OP how about a rough collie? Ours is a nearly year old and is gorgeous. Super chilled and loves to sit watching his flock (of chickens not sheep!) as much as he loves to run around the garden.

We do have a very large garden of a couple of acres and so I'm not sure he'd be quite so easy if we didn't have space for him to charge around but I'd think that about any dog to be honest. He certainly spends more time just chilling than he does running around though.

I was so pleased to read frostedviolets posts on this thread. I don't come to the dog house often at all, In the past I have tried to post the same as frost on similar threads but it never went down well.

I grew up with B/collies and at 8 chose my own pup from a working line. All our dogs were pets. I was taught how to train and look after my pup by my parents who had also grown up with collies. All our dogs were happy chilled dogs. no phyco inducing agility sport used.

I've never had any other breed collies are my norm.

My current collie was a 7 month old rescue. one woman at the centre described her as the most nuts dog she'd ever met. I didn't see it myself, I just saw a very stressed kennelled dog.

My DC were 7 and 4 when we got her and she instantly adored them. She is old now still active but showing her age and the DC dote on her now like she did them when they were little.

she is more Welsh collie then boarder collie, she doesn't crouch and stalk at all and is loose eyed.

I'd love to post pics of her, but I've yet again forgotten my password, so can't name change at the moment.

No! They are manic and very strong.

This is my ball of energy. The only time she’s quiet is when the washing machine is on. For some reason it fascinates her. She particularly likes the hot wash. She’s a short haired border collie.

she's beautiful