Page 2 | Border collie as a family pet?

seepingweeping · 29/04/2021 21:14

I own the laziest collie cross in the world.

She loves a walk and loves a bit of herding (ex working rescue dog) but she loves a snuggle and a snooze on you.

Alittlenonsensenowandthen · 30/04/2021 09:38

Collie owner here. Always had terriers before and he's far far easier than them. However he does have 3-4 walks a day with a mix of sniffs, ball, off lead etc. I work from home anyway and can't imagine he'd cope with being left. They really do love the company. How about a sheltie (Shetland sheepdog). Small, lower maintenance but intelligent.

StillAliveish · 30/04/2021 09:43

We have a border collie X springer spaniel. He's a farm pup and both his parents are working. We live on the edge of a city and only have a small yard. He's also our first dog so on paper probably a bad choice! He's only about 15 weeks and I'm always conscious of the amount of exercise and stimulation he's likely to need in the future. On the flip side, I have a flexible permanent wfh job, live right next to a river and lots of fields and we're very outdoorsy as a family. We really wanted a breed who'd be up for lots of hiking and camping. He's still too little to know what he'll be like as an adult but my eyes are wide open and we work hard at obedience training so he'll be able to go to agility or whatever suits him later.

Reading stuff on the internet (including on here) made me feel a bit like I'd made a mistake in my choice of breed and I was so worried I contacted a behaviourist in case I was messing up his training. She said, yes BCs are highly intelligent but remember this can also work to your advantage as they can be really easy to train and teach things to.

irl he's a model puppy and easier than other puppies we've got to know on the school run. Maybe he'll show herding instincts in future but we'll deal with that if and when it happens. As long as you know just what you'd be letting yourself in for and can give the exercise and stimulation then why not?

Scratchpostkitty · 30/04/2021 21:55

I think the thing is with a border collie/lab is they are rarely just a perfect mix of all the desirable traits from each breed. I look after one that is absolutely nothing like a lab.

fuckyouRW · 30/04/2021 22:01

@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.

Do you both work full time out of home?

Cheesypea · 30/04/2021 22:10

We had a collie x as kids in the city. Best dog ever. It was lucky it was the 1980's as he roamed regularly and we were always picking him up from the police station.

ipredictariot5 · 02/05/2021 15:11

I have had a collie cross and now a pure border collie. Both fabulous dogs but the pure one needs a lot of stimulation and company - we have another dog and there is no way she would thrive being left alone. Very affectionate, v friendly with our cats but I don’t think would thrive in a household on their own for long stretches without company. Def use doggie day care if you are working
They do enjoy a long walk but mine needs much less exercise that my springer
Also she is fab for running, stays to heel and a great companion - although does try to herd my slower friend when he isn’t keeping up !

ferretface · 02/05/2021 15:17

They don't all need hours of exercise, mental stimulation is key otherwise you risk overstimulating them with lots of exercise but not actually engaging their brains. Some days my collie gets one walk of an hour and he's definitely not destructive or difficult in the house on those days (or any day). We do try and give him a good mix of busy day/quieter day, scentwork, going out with a walker to play with other dogs 2 days during the week.

TheDaydreamBelievers · 02/05/2021 15:34

Sorry, I'd say not suitable. My extended family has always had border collies but live rurally, big garden, endless walks, agility stuff in garden, one person in couple doesnt work. Even then, they can be hard work - one a velcro dog, the other needed loads (and ongoing) training not to chase and herd just about anything (cars, bikes, children, horses etc)

muddyford · 02/05/2021 20:00

If the dog is to be left alone regularly for longer than four or five hours, you should think about getting a dog walker in. If you are both out the house for seven or eight hours, any dog will suffer from loneliness.

PollyRoulson · 02/05/2021 20:13

Collies deserve time from their owners. Why have a collie if you dont want to give them time and do stuff with them? That is the whole point and life of a collie.

There are tons of other breeds of dogs that would be happy to have less interaction dont inflict an uninteresting unstimulating life on a collie. They may tolerate it but they are not living their life to the full.

Collies need a decent amount of exercise every day but also need brain work to be fufilled and happy. This can come in many forms but it is essential for the life of a collie.

Collies are amazing dogs, they are the best dogs so please if you are thinking of getting a collie make sure you can give them what they need to have the best life. Just because some will tolerate less does not mean it is the right life for them.

GiveMeTulipsfromAmsterdam · 02/05/2021 20:28

My brother had 2, both bought from farms, both highly strung, not great with children since reared in a barn with little early social contact ...both were a nightmare.

His latest dog is a rescue

GiveMeTulipsfromAmsterdam · 02/05/2021 20:29

@TheDaydreamBelievers

Sorry, I'd say not suitable. My extended family has always had border collies but live rurally, big garden, endless walks, agility stuff in garden, one person in couple doesnt work. Even then, they can be hard work - one a velcro dog, the other needed loads (and ongoing) training not to chase and herd just about anything (cars, bikes, children, horses etc)

My brother's dog attempted to chase or bark at everything....

CauliflowerCheese30 · 02/05/2021 20:40

We have a Collie, she is the most loving thing ever, but she hates the cat getting any attention at all, yet when he didn't come home one day for 24 hours she was pining after him.

She loves being behind me on the sofa as we have a game we play together, she drops her toys down the side and will look at me until I pick it back up

Here she is

MagentaRocks · 02/05/2021 20:52

Our 2 are collie cross. Both are 3/4 collie. We both work but at different times most of the time and adult DSD lives with us so they are only home alone for a couple of hours now and then. Both very intelligent. Our boy is 11 months and his recall is fantastic. Our girl is 12 weeks so don’t know about her. We need to give them lots of attention and exercise. We live near lots of woods and beaches so go there.

hennaoj · 03/05/2021 22:43

Don't get a Rough Collie if you are going to be out the house working for several hours. They crave company. Mine even prefers it when everyone is at home and in their 'allotted' spots in the living room!

ChocolateDeficitDisorder · 04/05/2021 07:56

This boy came from a rescue as a young dog nearly 10 years ago. We both work and live in a regular house and our kids were 14 and 12.

He came with a full assessment as he'd spent 3 weeks in a foster home with dogs, cats and small children. We knew exactly what he was going to be like and he's never put a foot wrong. He's easygoing, keen to please and we can (and have) been able to take him anywhere without issue.

Maybe try a rescue that uses foster carers?

LST · 04/05/2021 08:00

My collie is nearly 9. We had him when our oldest was about 9 months from a working farm. He is the absolute best dog. He is so obedient, he lives to please. He loves coming camping with us and loves kids playing with him. I would never have another dog because they just wouldn't be him. He is slowing down a lot now due to poorly back legs, but he tries to not let it stop him.

FeistySheep · 04/05/2021 15:51

Sorry, I don't think collies should live in urban areas. And I don't think they're suitable for households where both adults work either (although you don't say how much you work - if one of you only does one day a week or something I'm sure that you could get a dog walker for the day you're both out).
I'm sure you know all this already though, since you have experience of collies. I sympathise, because they really are the bomb if you have the lifestyle and energy to look after them. Are you likely to move somewhere better in the future, and have jobs which don't mean you're out a lot? If so, you're only putting your collie dream on hold! I'd get something more appropriate for your current situation if you want a dog just now.