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The doghouse

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Original poster

Border collie. Too much??

56 replies

TheYeti · 08/03/2021 20:41

Just had confirmation that I'm not going back to the office. My job is completely flexible and I can work when I want. I've always wanted a dog but only now is it a real possibility. We have 2 DC, 10 & 8 and 2 cats (and a few ferrets but they live outside in a big shed). We live quite rurally so plenty of space for walking.

Before he died, DF used to have dogs and my favourite were his two border collies. I really want one. I want an intelligent dog who is up for some training beyond "sit" and some long walks. I'm home alone all day so really want a dog who'll enjoy plenty of interaction. I'd like a decent sized dog, I really don't like small yappy dogs. I'm also not fond of too much drooling... I know that's weird but DF had a lab who drooled every meal time and it really grossed me out.

So I think on paper a border collie sounds great but I'm also aware they're alot of work and although I've been around dogs, I'm a first time dog owner. I don't know of many dog breeds and whether there's something else out there that would be a better fit. Should I go for something a bit "easier" first?

OP posts:
BigWolfLittleWolf · 08/03/2021 21:13

I have one.
They do have unique quirks no doubt, but they are lovely dogs and imo nowhere near as awful as (usually people who have never had one) people make out

imayhavelostmymarbles · 08/03/2021 22:26

You could consider a pointer. You don't see so many but we have a rescue and he is very smart. Picks things up very quickly. Needs 2 reasonable walks a day but loves a cuddle and a fuss. And they are very friendly and great with children.

Original poster
TheYeti · 08/03/2021 22:37

@imayhavelostmymarbles

You could consider a pointer. You don't see so many but we have a rescue and he is very smart. Picks things up very quickly. Needs 2 reasonable walks a day but loves a cuddle and a fuss. And they are very friendly and great with children.
Just looked up pointers and they're certainly beautiful dogs! I'm going to research them a bit more, thanks @imayhavelostmymarbles!

@BigWolfLittleWolf everyone keeps saying to me "they're much too hard work" but that's sort of what I want! Nice to hear from an advocate Smile

OP posts:
Singinginshower · 08/03/2021 22:43

I think you'll be fine OP, you live rurally, your kids are an ideal age and you sound as if you've put a lot of thought into it.

DenisetheMenace · 08/03/2021 22:46

They’re my favourite breed but I wouldn’t home one because they aren’t family dogs, very much a one to one, which the family wouldn’t appreciate.

Druidlookingidiot · 08/03/2021 22:48

I love them but they should live on a farm, with plenty of sheep. 🐑

mrstea301 · 08/03/2021 23:10

I have a lazy greyhound, but I see a woman local to me who has a border collie, who is lovely, but she RUNS him every day in our local park. The route she must do will be around 3/4 miles, and I'm not kidding, he's not even puffed out at the end of it!! Full of beans!! If you've had them before and are familiar with the breed then go for it, but I've been surprised at how they are very much working dogs!

DenisetheMenace · 08/03/2021 23:14

mrstea301

I saw a young man running his greyhound in a field a couple of days ago. Never have before. Think it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

BigWolfLittleWolf · 08/03/2021 23:28

everyone keeps saying to me "they're much too hard work" but that's sort of what I want! Nice to hear from an advocate smile

I think it depends on what you class as ‘hard work’

You can’t tire them easily that is true, mine walks 12 miles easy but at the same time, it’s usually fairly easy to teach them to settle too.
Many collies just want to be near you and a lot of collie owners will tell you their collies love going to bed at night.
They love sleep!

I think a lot of the problem is they want to please so desperately, they will work and work and work and owners, being told how they cover so much mileage working and how clever they are fill their days with so much training, games, activities thinking that is what they need that they end up wired and can’t relax.

The biggest issue imo is the herding instinct, if you don’t know how to handle that it can cause big problems eg chasing cars, frightening other dogs, trying to herd children etc

They can be noise sensitive but I have to say mine isn’t at all.
She will sleep through fireworks a lot of the time.

Some don’t like young children as they move erratically and are loud but then a lot of dogs find children scary.

Take care to pick a puppy off parents with nice temperaments, socialise and put the work in and I suspect you’ll really love him/her.
They are great dogs.

Original poster
TheYeti · 09/03/2021 07:21

@BigWolfLittleWolf that's really really helpful, thanks! I'm definitely going to take my time finding a puppy and I need to do a bit more research about training/socialising etc. I've never trained a dog before and I don't want to mess it up! I'm not sure training my ferrets counts as experience!

OP posts:
FiveShelties · 09/03/2021 07:31

You could look at a Sheltie. I am on my 5th and have found all of them to be lovely, loyal and fun. They love to please, walk and sleep. They do need to be groomed regularly.

milinhas · 09/03/2021 07:40

Have you considered a Toller / Duck Tolling Retriever? They are smart but a little less crazy than a collie. Not as easy to get hold of in the UK though probably.

whoami24601 · 09/03/2021 07:48

Our neighbours have a border collie and she is the loveliest dog. She's so well trained - they've trained her to lie down at the side of the path if reactive dogs/ small children/ older people walk by. She literally doesnt move a muscle! She loves my kids (8,5 and 2) and always comes over for a fuss. She's clever though and will try to sneak in to our house if the door is open 😁 I'd say if you've done your homework and know what you're getting into then go for it!

Druidlookingidiot · 09/03/2021 08:22

@milinhas

Have you considered a Toller / Duck Tolling Retriever? They are smart but a little less crazy than a collie. Not as easy to get hold of in the UK though probably.
Great suggestion 🐕
Chocolateandamaretto · 09/03/2021 09:23

Our friends have 3 collies and they are the nicest, gentlest, most lovely dogs. They are not "crazy" or any more hard work than our Labrador. They walk about an hour a day and do agility but mostly they just like to be involved with things, and if I go round there one will always come and sit/snooze on my feet. I think they have a bit of an unfair reputation to be honest!

PollyRoulson · 09/03/2021 10:10

I have 6 border collies and a couple of fosters at the minute.

They do need time so just being at home working will not be enough time for a collie. Yes some will sit and be bored but a happy collie wants to be doing things and will not be happy watching you work for 8 hours a day, getting an odd stroke and comment.

So expecting most collies to happily lie beside you while you work for 8 hours is unrealistic and not great for the collie. They may do it but that is wasting the potential of the collie.

People always argue that collies are hard work, they are not but they need time and they need attention to be happy fufilled collies.

Why get a collie unless you want to spend a lot of time with it and it with you?

Collies are amazing dogs with huge empathy, intelligence, stamina and brains please only get a collie if you are happy to develop and fufill their needs for the next 16 years.

Get a dog that is happy with a couple of walks a day and then will snooze next to you if that is what you can offer.

One of the fosters I have has come from a house where people worked from home all day - they did have company but not a lot of stimulation. The collie ate all the downstairs furniture including the skirting boards, they herded the children and nipped their ankles. The collie has been with me and I have seen non of this behaviour at all but the collie is now getting correct collie stimulation so is happy relaxed and chilled.

Think carefully and do not be taken in by the soft collie cuddle and eyes - their is a lot of brain behind those Smile that likes to be worked

PollyRoulson · 09/03/2021 10:11

there!!!!

PollyRoulson · 09/03/2021 10:15

I've never trained a dog before and I don't want to mess it up be prepared for a huge learning curve then with a collie.

They may be intelligent but that means if they want to learn something they will learn it quickly, if they dont want to learn something they will not. They will also run rings around you if you are not confident in what you are asking them to do.

A few scenarios:

How would you train a collie not to chase a car - this will kick in at 9 weeks?

How will you train a collie not to bark at you (when you are on a conference call) when they want attention?

How will you train a collie to not chase and nip your heels when you leave the room?

How will you train a collie not to react to noises that scare them?

How will you train a collie not to chase and herd your neighbours in their garden down the fence line?

How do you train a collie to stop training you? Smile

Flamerouge · 09/03/2021 10:27

Lots of good advice already, especially from @PollyRoulson. I can tell you that my experience as a first time (well, as an adult) collie cross owner (the other bit is Kelpie) is that it has been incredibly tough, but we are now coming out the other side of it. If you search my other threads you'll see some of our struggles and also the advice we've been given.

DDog has come on in leaps in the last few weeks, but it has been SUCH a steep learning curve and nearly broke us at times. We have had to find out what strategies work for the scenarios Polly lists and we are still not there with some of them. Car chasing will always be a work in progress, but DDog is doing brilliantly with learning not to herd us in the house (though still has his moments). Also much better in the car now crated and covered up. But you have to think about the worst-case scenario: I don't think we'll ever be able to walk ours on a pavement (though as you are rural that won't matter so much) which is very limiting.

The sleeping comment made me laugh! Ours boy LOVES going to bed. If you say 'bed time' or 'nap time' to him he will put his head down low, relax his ears and amble upstairs and put himself to bed.

We've worked hard to find outlets for his herding - we have him out in the garden 4 or 5 times a day to do frisbee, herd ball and other games. He definitely requires lots of interaction: he will pester you for attention. We have taught him 'settle', but it depends on how fired up he is as to whether he will do it.

In short: I firmly believe you don't get something for nothing, and that applies to dogs. Collies are so smart, which might make them easy to train, but it also means they pick up bad behaviour very quickly. And as Polly says, they can quickly end up training you!

Our boy is a lovable goon, though - we wouldn't be without him now. Good luck!

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 09/03/2021 11:02

If you like the look of pointers, German Shorthaired Pointers are also fabulous dogs. They need a lot of training and clear boundaries from the start, but all the ones I know are very clever and great with people.

LST · 09/03/2021 11:05

The only breed I'd ever have again. I have 3 cats and 2dc. Ddog has grown up with them

Sprockerdilerock · 09/03/2021 13:06

What about a spaniel? Cocker, springer or sprocker. I have one so I admit I'm biased but all mine have been intelligent and very keen to please making training a dream, far beyond sit stay etc. A spaniels dream is constant interaction and games!

Plus they dont yap Grin

Original poster
TheYeti · 09/03/2021 16:08

Thanks all, some really good down to earth advice and experience from @PollyRoulson and @Flamerouge. I certainly don't sit at my desk for 8 hours! I'm a very active person myself so I'm hoping we'll get along but yes, can definitely see myself falling into the trap of being trained by the dog and that's a really interesting point about the possibility of too much stimulation.

I always get confused between the different spaniels @Sprockerdilerock so I'll have to do some research here!

OP posts:
Flamerouge · 09/03/2021 16:13

@TheYeti here he is living the frisbee life this morning!

Border collie. Too much??
Original poster
TheYeti · 09/03/2021 16:18

[quote Flamerouge]@TheYeti here he is living the frisbee life this morning![/quote]
What a catch!

OP posts: