Can anyone help me suggest a dog breed for my dad?

[KnitFastDieWarm]

My dad is recently retired, is about to move to the countryside, and is considering getting a dog. He’s very fit and active, walks for several hours a day, and would like and intelligent and active dog that will enjoy accompanying him on hikes and learning tricks (perhaps agility too). He love the look and intelligence of border collies but i’ve heard they can be a bit nervy/unpredictable. There’d be no children in the home but visiting grandchildren over 7 would occasionally be there. He’s not owned a dog before but has worked with them and is very serious about training and proper exercise etc.

Wise dog owners, any ideas?

@Bloomsburyreader they aren't related to dingos thou . Mine is kelpie crossed with a lab and just looks like a slim lab had no problem training her at all she has picked up on things very quickly.

@SexyNeckbeard - this made my laugh! I have a Tibetan terrier and you not wrong. She’s a great dog but one day she is walking to your heel and the next she gets a feather on a walk (thinks this is a game and won’t come back). I’ve taken her to dog training etc but she’s just got w mind of her own 🙈

Do people think all ‘collies’ are working sheepdogs?

How about a Smooth Collie, OP? Will go as far as your Dad wants, but won’t be climbing the walls as long as they have company and a normal sensible amount of exercise.

Parson terrier without a doubt. Does all you say and more. The most genuine, intelligent wonderful little dogs.

[quote Hopefullywaiting01234]@SexyNeckbeard - this made my laugh! I have a Tibetan terrier and you not wrong. She’s a great dog but one day she is walking to your heel and the next she gets a feather on a walk (thinks this is a game and won’t come back). I’ve taken her to dog training etc but she’s just got w mind of her own 🙈[/quote]
Haha yep definitely a dog for someone with patience but I love their funny little ways

Please adopt x

@Whitney168

Do people think all ‘collies’ are working sheepdogs?

How about a Smooth Collie, OP? Will go as far as your Dad wants, but won’t be climbing the walls as long as they have company and a normal sensible amount of exercise.

No, but they were originally bred as herding dogs, and they will probably have the instinct

If you live in the countryside and have a rogue dog, it could start sheep worrying, and could be shot.

Sorry @B0G0F, I worded that poorly - I didn't mean does everyone think all collies are 'sheepdogs that work' - I meant 'working sheepdogs' as a type of dog.

Farm bred border collie types are indeed usually a very poor option for a normal pet home. Show bred Border Collies not so much, often very manageable, plus there are other 'collies' - I appreciate not everyone would want the work of a Rough Collie coat, but Smooth Collies are a great option as a family pet.

Bearded Collies suggested above, but again there are big differences in the working and show type, both in coat and temperament.

People just seem to tar all 'collies' with the same brush as being unsuitable. All will have herding instincts, for sure, but plenty of them would make great pets for this type of home.

I doubt that pp thought that all collies are border collies, and regardless of whether or not they are show dogs or sheepdogs, they will have some herding instinct.

Based on your description of your dad - how about a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever - Toller?

Right size, intelligent, love to learn, will definitely love the hiking and trick training and are known to be good family dogs.

Do people think all ‘collies’ are working sheepdogs?

I grew up with collies, not on a farm, and as PP mentioned it worked OK but with the eyes of an adult honestly they had frustrated herding instincts and went a bit loopy with nothing to herd, no matter how many walks they had.

This thread is basically a list of breeds I want (albeit in a different circumstance as a working parent of young DC). I think I've basically converged on a golden - I'd love a Toller but I think they are harder work? That doesn't need to trouble OP's dad though. I'm being jealous is all

@Whitney168

Do people think all ‘collies’ are working sheepdogs?

How about a Smooth Collie, OP? Will go as far as your Dad wants, but won’t be climbing the walls as long as they have company and a normal sensible amount of exercise.

No, but OP specifically asked about border collies...

@kylie122

Please adopt x

Yes was just going to say - could he visit local rescue centres and describe what he wants? The right fit could be found.

I've had kelpies before. One would have loved that lifestyle. Very relaxed chap. The other was a bit more sharp and intense.

We have a lab which we love to bits but think I'd try another breed next time around but only due to the hair. A neighbour has a smallish vizla which is lovely.

I would say "adopt" too - not only does it help the adopted dog obviously but more often, you don't have to go through the little bastard puppy phase.

Btw, intelligence in dogs is overrated

there's a good reason why service dogs are often labs/ retriever types...bright enough to learn something given firm consistent training, but not so bright they decide things for themselves.

I'd think a staffy sort might suit...plenty of those about and they are such characters imo. We've ended up with another GSD who firmly belongs in the "too bright" category, with a side order of neurosis and anxiety.

A friend of mine who boards dogs while their owners are away from home has suggested something like a Cavapoo would be an ideal first dog for an older person. HTH.

@KnitFastDieWarm

I think medium - probably no bigger than a lab. But i also think that if he met the ‘right’ dog he’d be besotted however big or small it was

I agree, medium is good. Especially considering your dad is older and the dog could live 10-15 years or more when he could be elderly.

You don't want a dog that could pull him off his feet, so smaller lighter dogs might be better.

Staffies/labradors are medium for example but have quite a bit of potential pulling power.

After a lifetime of labradors my next dog will be a Border. Smaller, less hair and I have never met a bad one.

Smooth collie, less coat to deal with than a rough. Good at agility but less manic than a border collie.

Why not a Heinz 57 rescue ? Is he set on a puppy - cos a lurcher or similar might be a good fit

As a couple of Previous people have suggested - I would have a Border Terrier - or a rescue greyhound - they are just lovely.

@B0G0F
No, but they were originally bred as herding dogs, and they will probably have the instinct

Dogs don't need a herding instinct to worry sheep, just a desire to chase other animals. I've known terriers to worry sheep. All dogs should be keep on leads near sheep fields.

I first thought of cockers, springers or a Labrador. It’s important to work on really good recall with cockers and springers as the ones I know get quite fixated about getting in undergrowth after squirrels or other interesting smells and not coming back when called, labs seem much easier to recall.

I second the collie comments too. My (stubborn!) retired parents are on their second (because they love the look of them) and have had nothing but trouble with both. Not the dogs' fault - parents underestimated the mental stimulation and consistency they need. They will run rings around you if you're not careful.
I'd say a lab too, can't go wrong really.
I have a sighthound who I adore, but they're not big walkers or particularly suited to hiking.