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The doghouse

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Original poster

Border collie for first time dog owner?

106 replies

zippyswife · 08/02/2022 18:03

I have never owned a dog and don’t know much about them.
Dh has owned a dog but works so the training and excercise etc will be down to me.

I’d love to get a dog. I have the time (work part time one day a week which is usually from home). I excercise daily- either walk run or both- generally in woodlands or fields. I have 3 children; 6,9,11.

I love the physical appearance of the border collie, and from what I read tends to be easier to train than some. I see that it requires a lot of exercise, but I believe I can commit to that.

Is a border collie too full on for someone like me- an inexperienced owner/with children?

Ideally I’d like a dog that makes a great pet- good and gentle with children/easy to train/enjoys activity and excercise. Is this a border collie or am I seriously off the mark here?

I’m not someone that usually goes on appearances but I just can’t help being drawn to these! I know I sound superficial- and normally I’m not.

OP posts:
SmolCat · 08/02/2022 18:21

A collie that’s raised well usually makes a great pet, one that isn’t is an absolute nightmare.

I would work out whether, as well as the usual costs of pet ownership, you can commit to the costs of a trainer/behaviourist first the first year or two of their lives. Then swap that for agility or fly ball type training once they’re into adulthood.

You’ll probably want to also include the cost of a dog walker a few times a week. Yes you exercise daily, but can you do it (with the focus on the dog instead of on you) twice a day every single day.

AwkwardPaws27 · 08/02/2022 18:21

I'm not sure I'd say easy to train - they are very intelligent which is not always the same as biddable Grin

Exercise needs to be mental as well as physical - a very fit but bored dog will make its own fun. Many collie owners do a dog sport like agility or flyball - does that appeal to you?

We have a cocker spaniel and he picks things up quickly but is eager to please, which makes things easier. That said, he also picks up things that you don't want him to learn too. He has been known to fake "desperate need for the toilet" in order to steal my slippers, for example! He's a very fun dog though.

SmolCat · 08/02/2022 18:24

Additionally; I’d join as many collie groups as you can on Facebook etc. Don’t get distracted by the cute photos, look for the posts that are pleas for help. They can be a funny old breed with lots of potentially difficult quirks. If you end up committing to the idea then you want to go into it as well researched as you can possibly be.

MotherCupboard · 08/02/2022 18:25

They are bred to work all day. ALL DAY. They need a job to do and a border collie who isn't given a job will find his own fun. When you say you can give it exercise, how much? Because an hour or two a day won't be enough.

Dogmum40 · 08/02/2022 18:25

You need as much mental stimulation as well as physical otherwise they can be little shits 😆 we know from experience and we have a small holding!!!

Long walks or work plus mental tasks should get you a collie that isn’t a little sod! If you can’t put time into both I’d seriously reconsider! They are stubborn but if trained correctly and have the time spent on them they can be fabulous pets!

FlapsInTheWind · 08/02/2022 18:26

There is very much a pet collie and a working collie. I have had both. Get a pet collie and whilst they will have a strong herding drive, they are lovely to own providing you can service their needs.

The farm type - unless they can see sheeps arses all day and half the night - forget it! They suffer hideously if they can't work. They want to work with every cell.

RandomMess · 08/02/2022 18:27

No don't go there.

MaChienEstUnDick · 08/02/2022 18:27

I wouldn't get a collie for your first dog in a busy house with three young kids. I've met too many who are too clever for their own good and herd and nip. I'm not saying they're not brilliant dogs in the right hands, but I think you need a bit of experience under your belt first. They're hard work, ime.

RedChapter · 08/02/2022 18:29

My neighbours have an untrained Collie. They haven't trained it and it's an absolute nightmare. It's reactive, it guard's their house, which means it goes berserk when I go in my front door. I'd say if you only work one day a week and do the work you could have an amazing dog.

RedChapter · 08/02/2022 18:32

But if you aren't sure how much work this can be then don't do it.

SirVixofVixHall · 08/02/2022 18:32

No.
Not a dog for someone inexperienced. The only really happy ones I know are always working, or always out with their owner. They hate being left alone, they can be snappy and anxious and this is more likely if they don’t have enough mental stimulation. I know several that are pretty stroppy with other dogs even after lots of walks and socialising.

KirstenBlest · 08/02/2022 18:35

No. They need stimulation and a lot of exercise. A frustrated or poorly trained one will still have a herding instinct.

Go for a less demanding dog

Palmfrond · 08/02/2022 18:36

Lovely dogs but absolutely not for a first time dog owner or someone who doesn’t basically live on a farm.

Starryskiesinthesky · 08/02/2022 18:38

We got a collie as our first dog and I have mixed reviews! My children were 10,8 and 7 when we got her. Not sure if our collie is unusual but she doesn't like noise and kids making a racket and she used to jump up at at children and 'nip' their nose. She didn't do it often but when she did it wasn't great.

Apart from that she's been great - loves a walk but doesn't need to be constantly walked / busy. Smart, but scared of other dogs, slightly antisocial but never aggressive, just things like sitting at the end of the garden on her own while other dogs are playing together! Very biddable tho and everyone loves her as she is so well behaved.

Tillyloveslettuce · 08/02/2022 18:39

We have kids a similar age and a border collie. We adore him but he does require lots of exercise and entertainment. Lots of walks and runs. Loves his ball. Lots of games and tricks. Without these he can get a bit bouncy and he does have a tendency to whiff at anything he perceives as a threat even if it’s the neighbours cat. We love him and wouldn’t be without him but he does take a bit of work.

JaninaDuszejko · 08/02/2022 18:40

I grew up on a farm. We always had collies, they were exercising outside all day with my Dad, very intelligent dogs but strong willed and can be nippy unless very well trained. They need lots of exercise (DBro who took over the farm does 20-30k steps a day and his dog will do more) and lots of attention. I'd never have a collie just as a pet.

Tillyloveslettuce · 08/02/2022 18:40

Wuff not whiff!

madmumofteens · 08/02/2022 18:44

We have had two collies first time around we were very strict and we ended up with an amazing dog our next one not so much although a lovely dog she is definitely not as well behaved great dogs collies x

APurpleSquirrel · 08/02/2022 18:45

What about a Shetland Sheepdog? Smaller than a border collie, generally have nice temperaments, don't need as much exercise, still intelligent but probably not as mentally demanding as a collie? I grew up with Shelties & want one again when we can have another dog.

MaChienEstUnDick · 08/02/2022 18:46

@APurpleSquirrel

What about a Shetland Sheepdog? Smaller than a border collie, generally have nice temperaments, don't need as much exercise, still intelligent but probably not as mentally demanding as a collie? I grew up with Shelties & want one again when we can have another dog.
Ahh I live Shelties @APurpleSquirrel, you really don't see a lot of them about these days do you?
Mayblossominapril · 08/02/2022 18:49

I’d go for a lab or springer. Still a significant amount of work but at least labs are food driven and it does make them easier to train. Springers aren’t as food oriented as labs but still very interested in food.
Both breeds have plenty of energy

Original poster
zippyswife · 08/02/2022 18:52

Ok. This is all brilliant advice and given me the answer I needed to hear. I will give up the border collie for now. Maybe in the future when the kids have let home and I have the time and energy to dedicate to it.

What would you recommend? Whilst I am happy to walk/run the dog, I’d also like a calm character who can chill and cuddle when home and not out…. If this exists!!

OP posts:
Original poster
zippyswife · 08/02/2022 18:53

Reading up Vislas and labs look like good options?

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Original poster
zippyswife · 08/02/2022 18:54

@APurpleSquirrel I will look at the sheltland sheepdog- that kind of personality sounds ideal!

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Shmithecat2 · 08/02/2022 18:55

A dog that needs a bit if exercise but also likes to cuddle up - whippet.