Bordoodle

[Spaceman1]

I've just completed a questionnaire that recommends that a Bordoodle is the best dog for me. This is a cross between a border collie and a poodle. As they are quite rare I would love to know of anyone who has one and who knows of a reputable breeder.

Just did the quiz, also came out with a bordoodle as number 1 and a random type of sheep dog as number two 😂
I suggest you try another way of finding a suitable dog.

Oh another thing to note, size of dog isnt always the measure of their energy level.
Eg little Jack Russells are high energy & big Rottweilers are medium to low energy once in adulthood.

Whilst true, has little relevance to this list as both poodle or collie will have similar or higher energy levels to a JRT as working dogs but size means they'd need a little more time/distance to be equivalent.

Based on what you can offer, OP, rather than what you want, a cat would actually meet your criteria better than a dog at this point.

@Spaceman1

If it really is like that then this website is very misleading.

As a lifelong Border Collie person, I just did that test - not only did it match me to dogs that I wouldn't give houseroom to, but the descriptions of the dogs it came up with simply didn't match what I knew of the breeds.

Dogs are living, breathing creatures - even breed normals are only averages, and each dog has it's own character. Try describing what human beings are like in a few sentences and then compare what you come up with against everyone you know!

If you have so little experience of dogs that you need to resort to an (American) pop quiz to pick one, then you need to get out of your house more. Literally. Go to the park and talk to dog owners, talk to breeders, read and understand - get as much information and real life experience as you can and THEN pick a breed (or a not a breed).

Here's a starter for ten. Do not pick a Border Collie. They don't do pop quizzes.

I've just done another dog selection quiz on purina.com which suggested a Berger Picard which no-one here has mentioned. Does anyone know this breed?

I'm inclined to think you're on the wind up now 😆

Why are you trying to pick a breed via a random quiz on the internet?

Cats are nice

[quote Spaceman1]@Wavescrashingonthebeach That's a good point, in fact I would prefer my dog did their business outside the house and garden altogether. Just to get this straight I'm not a couch potato, I love going for walks it's just finding the time during the week with work and childcare. If I was retired I'd be happy to go for long walks every day. I think I need more of a companion dog atm. [/quote]
All dogs are companion animals! They ALL need walks. Every day, not when it suits.

However, I have found one that is totally suitable for you:
www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/jellycat-fuddlewuddle-medium-puppy-d9374.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwutaCBhDfARIsAJHWnHsnae32MgbncrMzzcNdVGv2my8-tAmUzfSnUB-r53r23ecP3lOcLW8aAkFFEALw_wcB

Don't know what all this poodle crossing is all about.

Personally I love a poodle. As it is.

Everything gets crossed with a poodle now. What's the bit they're trying to get rid of in a poodle by breeding it? Is it just the non shedding they're after. Because surely that's a 50/50 chance anyway?

Poodles (we call ours a 'proper poo') are great dogs.

OP - anything poodle isn't for you. A toy poodle is just smaller. It's still high energy and high intelligence.
Plus - the breeding of a toy poodle and a border collie - surely that's cruel what with the size difference?!

It's also not particularly about the actually breed as to whether it's a family dog. That's about the training, it's own experiences, and how well it's been bred - as in from a line of well natured, healthy dogs. Getting a cross that's not just been bred for it's looks and money is going to be very hard.

[quote Spaceman1]@Wavescrashingonthebeach with the greatest respect, I believe some dogs need less walking than others...[/quote]
Yes, you're right, but they all need to go out everyday regardless of breed. And also, just because a dog "can cope" on less walking, doesn't mean they should have to.

Please be a troll OP.

@MissShapesMissStakes Thanks for your helpful comments, much appreciated.

@sunflowersandbuttercups

Why are you trying to pick a breed via a random quiz on the internet?

Its akin to picking a breed based on a star sign! Its really not hard to go through the list of "low energy" dogs and see if you would be a suitable owner for any of them. But as we all keep pointing out, it doesnt sound like you currently have the time for a puppy so you would be better seeing if a local rescue can match you with one of their dogs. Without getting all soppy, sometimes you dont pick the dog, the dog picks you. Mine looked into my eyes and that was it.

Yes. Puppies need a lot of attention and time. Just toilet training means taking them out every 30 mins ish for weeks. (Mine was quick to learn, some take months).

And that's not mentioning the training, playing, grooming etc needed.

@Spaceman1

I've just done another dog selection quiz on purina.com which suggested a Berger Picard which no-one here has mentioned. Does anyone know this breed?

No ones mentioned it because A they’re rare and B even if they weren’t they’d be totally unsuited to you and the criteria you’ve mentioned. I personally think that no guardian or herding breed should be chosen by first time dog owners. Have you done any actual research on breeds rather than just doing pop quizzes?

Never heard of a berger picard before but it looks almost identical to a lurcher i had once. She was a star of a dog. A real Heinz 57 but the best nature of any dog I've ever met.

I also think you're on a wind up, but if you're not then something small and biddable with low exercise requirements like a bichon would probably suit you. Id suggest you stop looking at herding breeds. Nothing of what you've said about your lifestyle is particularly suited to herding breeds. They are bred to work and they need a lot of exercise.

Exactly just go for a breed that is reknowned as a good breed for first time owners. Plenty have been suggested.
Also, within reason as breeds do have traits, the breed itself is far less important than the training you invest into the dog. It's how it's brought up and socialised. Aside from toilet training which people have mentioned, the socialization period for puppies is a vital and time consuming process if you want a happy family dog.
If you cant commit to that, it really doesnt matter what breed you pick, at best you will have a nervous or naughty dog, at worst an aggressive one. And even the smallest, "cuddliest" dog can be aggressive, especially when fearful. I get tiny little dogs kicking off on mine all the time but luckily he takes no notice, not all dogs would tho.

My 5 year old border doodle. He is a wonderful dog and one of the easiest I have had. Fantastic temperament and is happy with either a short walk or long ramble. He does need trimming which I do myself every 5 weeks. His mum was a border collie and his dad was a miniature poodle. I have had border collies and poodles before so know the breeds. We lost our 14 year old border collie to cancer in September and have got a border collie pup who worships the ground our borderdoodle walks on.

@lancashirelady he is a fine looking lad, much more 'together' than the pic I had in my head! Do you think he's easier because he's not full collie?

Not the dog for us as we are a spaniel family- big garden to play hiding and fetching games and general silly buggers between walks but we haven't got the skills for a collie brain and stamina (we've always had spaniels that have had a mad half hour then been upside down on the chair til the next outing, perhaps been lucky!).

But just wanted to say what a smashing chap he is!

My 5 year old border doodle. He is a wonderful dog and one of the easiest I have had. Fantastic temperament and is happy with either a short walk or long ramble. He does need trimming which I do myself every 5 weeks. His mum was a border collie and his dad was a miniature poodle. I have had border collies and poodles before so know the breeds. We lost our 14 year old border collie to cancer in September and have got a border collie pup who worships the ground our borderdoodle walks on
I don’t understand why you’ve posted this.

The OP said she wanted a dog good with children?
As a previous collie owner you surely know that a lot of collies are very uncomfortable around children?
Many are given up to rescue due to being scared of/stressed by/biting children.

The OP said she wanted a dog that didn’t need much exercise?
Collies are still bred largely for working and poodles though no longer bred for retrieving are still high energy dogs.

The OP wanted a dog friendly with visitors?
If you’ve had collies all your life you surely know they are typically a one person breed and often aloof to strangers and sometimes aggressive.

That would be happy being left 3 hours a day?
Poodles are prone to separation anxiety are they not?

The OP specifically mentioned anxiety in poodles as something of concern.
Both collies and poodles are high strung breeds with a very high proportion of both breeds being neurotic and anxious.

OP is a first time owner.
Collies, especially if ‘drivey’ can be very hard to manage; car chasing, going after joggers/cyclists, livestock worrying, noise phobias, OCD like compulsions....

On what planet is a border collie or poodle a good fit for the OP?!

You’re taking the piss now with a Berger Picard. A genuinely rare and unusual breed, so that’s an issue for a start. Plus another highly intelligent, high energy WORKING dog. Not a breed even vaguely suitable for your circumstances. But honestly, I’m beginning to think you really don’t understand what is important when considering getting a dog and what it’s needs actually are.

Hmm I done it and not one was a pure bred lots of weird poodle crosses

I actually have a lab and he is the right dog at this stage of my life

OP why is it that you would like a dog? Maybe that would be a good place to start. Think about actually the lifestyle you want with dog in it. What are you picturing?
Then think about what lifestyle the dog you have in mind would love. Can you provide that?

Nothing you read on those sites you’re mentioning - no matter how well known - prepare you for actually sharing your home/ life with a dog. And to be honest they give pretty shady advice in general on training. Just read the puppy blues thread for an insight or the puppy survival pages on what it’s actually like.

Then, if you’re sure you can really give the time / effort ask for suggestions! It isn’t the case that people will only recommend the breed they have. I have a Sprocker and would never recommend a spaniel or spaniel mix to you!