Border collie as a family pet?

[dotdashdashdash]

Had collies growing up, but lived on a farm. They lived outside in the day and came in when we all got home from school, spent the evening playing with us and slept in the utility rooms. They were family pets that did a bit of farm work, as opposed to working dogs that are pretty undomesticated.

But we live in the suburbs now. We have a garden but not acres of land. And we both work. Would we be stupid to consider a border collie as our family dog? Collies and labradors (gun dog/ family pet) are all I've known.

We had a collie too, which we bought from the local sheep farm. Best dog ever, but also had a very strong herding instinct and we could never satisfy his urge to roam. My parents split up and gave him back to the sheep farm when he was 8. Apparently he lived out his years as a great part time herder, and lived to the grand age of 14. Still all makes me too sad for words, but short answer is no, I don't think they work well in the burbs unless you luck out and find one with a low herding drive.

Why not consider a Labrador Border Collie cross? I think they are the best of both breeds and a fantastic family dog.

It's probably not the easiest breed - I would have thought they would be quite demanding in terms of their exercise needs and mental stimulation.

If you understand the need of this fabulous breed and can dedicate the hours of walking, mental stimulation etc needed why not? We had one (I now work full time so wouldn’t get another dog!) and she was an amazing pet!

I have a lab x collie and agree it's a great cross. Up until lockdown, when I also had another baby, we did at least one training session a week (scent work or agilty) and she really needs it. I think I might try flyball now I can leave my dd for a couple of hours. Without the mental stimulation, she gets herself in to mischief. She is also clever enough to think about commands so I will tell her to do something, she has a bit of a think and then decides if it's worth her while. But overall she's a good dog and we've been lucky.

Would you be sending your dog to day care or something if you both work? Collies need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation so I wouldn't want to leave one home alone all day. If they are getting a lot of exercise and so on at a day care I think it could work as long as you are happy to do quite a lot with them during your time off.

They are the best! But we live in country and work from home so long off-lead walks easy. We also got him from show rather than working line - invisibly this does not guarantee a more placid dog but it increases your chances of getting one. We’ve struck gold with ours (but met parents and grandparents so we’re able to get a good idea of his heritage)

He’s the soppiest, friendliest most loving dog I’ve ever known. But I’m not sure suburbia is best place for them.

^obviously not invisibly .

What a beautiful dog @CollieDug.

Not the best pet. Need lots of exercise and stimulation. They've been bred for work - get something that has been bred to be a pet, or get a collie cross.

Yeah, this is what I thought

We have a Collie x and, although we love him to bits, he is not an easygoing family pet! He's got a strong herding instinct, and is very reactive. We have a few acres of land, he comes running with me regularly and he is still full of energy, even at 12 years old. If we don't keep him stimulated enough, he'll find his own fun like chasing cars, barking at invisible intruders, or trying to round the cats up

In a suburban area, working out of the house, I would definitely choose a more laid back breed or a rescue dog where you know their temperament

A relative has a border collie cross and it's very intelligent and needs lots of exercise. With border crosses be careful with them off lead as they may have the herding instinct - keep them under control.

I've kept collies for 30 years and I love them. However, a bored collie is a nightmare! It will eat your house and behave generally badly.

Ours have always been working dogs, but there are some times of year when sheep can't be gathered with a dog, so we find other work for him. Ducks are great for this, or some people do agility. Whatever you choose, they will also need a lot of exercise. However much you think they will need, you can pretty much double it!

There are some problems with collies, of course. They can become very attached to one person and possessive of them, and they can be stubborn, but they are loyal, intelligent and great fun.

A labrador, bored or otherwise, will eat your house. They seem to have a taste for designer and luxury goods, and will gladly munch sunglasses and handbags.

We have a lab X collie and she is the best family dog ever but my husband works from home so is around most of time. She loves to round up the ball and the kids and she has the appetite of a lab. She's amazing and nowhere near as much work as our Dalmatian

Just an excuse to share photos of my lovely girl. She’s much missed.

@QueenofLouisiana

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Here’s mine! Suburban household, keeps the cats in line, knows what time to take the kids to school. We’re both working from home right now and DH will continue to, so she has constant company. She loves chasing tennis balls and lying down in the muddiest patch wherever you are (see photo!). We’re near lots of beautiful country walks. She’s much better behaved and eats less stuff than the cats. She’s an absolutely lovely dog and is doing brilliantly as a pet of a rambunctious household.

I had a border collie when a teenager and lived on a sheep farm. Loves that dog but live in city now so didn’t think that would work for a border collie. So get a rough collie instead as they’re meant to be more laidback....she’s still v young so don’t know how it will work out but she’s certainly calmer than a lot of other puppies so 🤞

My tenses are all over he place! Loved that dog and got a rough collie...

Lifelong Border Collie (63 years) person. Not entirely sure you ever own them. Also from farming stock. And people will disagree. But you do not need acres of land (they are happy with most suburban gardens) - you do need:

• lots of exercise daily
• lots of mental stimulation daily

I won't say it's impossible if you both work, but it's going to be hard because most of your other hours need to be the dogs! And that is equally true if you are looking at a cross. The Border Collie is a strong strain - just look at how much they look BC and not whatever else is in there. You may be able to temper them a bit, but brains and energy will out!

My previous dogs were working dogs - as a kid growing up, sheep dogs; and as an adult rescue, scenting and protection. I'm semi-retired / sedentary by comparison these days. But my BC gets many miles of exercise, a large garden and "work" in the form of language skills, But it's fun and the truth is - if you are bitten by the BC bug, nothing else will do. You just have to make it work.

@Ashard20

Why not consider a Labrador Border Collie cross? I think they are the best of both breeds and a fantastic family dog.

Could just as easily be the worst of both breeds

Get a rough collie. Very chilled, active, weather - loves weather and herding so stays with you. Very clever. Although sits and stares at you until you do what it wants (lill kid down a well, Lassie)

What about a bearded collie?

Beardies are fab.