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Original poster

Collie vs Labrador

41 replies

CleverQuacks · 01/06/2022 20:36

Hi all,
I am planning to get another dog. I already have a 3 year old shitzu. She is a very good, laid back dog. However I have always had an interest in dog training and agility so would like a dog who I could do agility with. A Border Collie seems the obvious choice however I have read a lot about them not being keen on other dogs and children. I have 4 children so a breed that is good with kids is really important.

I grew up with a black lab who was the most gorgeous dog and so good with us so I am considering a lab but would a lab make a good agility dog? My lab growing up was quite a lazy dog (granted she was just a pet and never trained in anything active).

What would you advise? Any other breed I haven’t considered?

OP posts:
Dementedswan · 01/06/2022 20:43

Labs make great agility dogs along as they are trim and not barrels like a lot of peoples idea of a lab. Collies are highly strung, yes more intelligent but need a lot more exercise etc

ArticSaviour · 01/06/2022 20:44

Smooth collie. Would love agility, easy going and don't need nearly as much exercise as a border collie

SarahSissions · 01/06/2022 20:45

Maybe look at a lab from working lines? You’ll need to be careful with their hips though, if they don’t develop well agility will always be out, and you will have to wait to start training over jumps until at least 18months.
what about going to a local club and watching some of the dogs? All dogs can do some agility, it depends how far you want to take it

Somewhereinfragglerock · 01/06/2022 20:46

How old are the children? If they aren't primary aged and they know how to behave around dogs a collie might work.

If you wanted a lab for agility it would need to be a lighter agile working type.

Original poster
CleverQuacks · 01/06/2022 20:51

My children are aged between 2years and 15years. My oldest three are fine with dogs and know how to treat them. My 2 year old is obviously still learning so is never left alone with my Shihtzu.

i will look at smooth collies. Thank you for the suggestion.

OP posts:
Notclosenow · 01/06/2022 20:57

I have both and do agility with both.
My Lab, happy and biddable.
My Collie, cleverest dog I have ever owned, has had more training than any dog I have ever owned. Partly because he loves it, partly because he needs it.

Autumn101 · 01/06/2022 20:59

How about a Springer? Intelligent, active and great with kids

livelyliz · 01/06/2022 21:04

The issue I have with choosing a collie over a lab is that collies are working dogs and are not fussed on other dogs. You already have a cute shitzu that would probably love a pal, a Labrador might make a better companion. My brother has a collie, lovely dog but a one man dog. I have an older springer, totally mental, exhausting adorable. Personally I would go for a lab next.

TheMayoressOfCasterbridge · 01/06/2022 21:18

What about a bearded collie op?
Great with children, and excellent with other dogs and agility.
(We have a beardie and they are such lovely dogs, sadly now a vulnerable breed.)

CollieDug · 01/06/2022 21:20

Collie all the way for me. PM me if you want an excellent breeder who has show-line collies with the most wonderful natures. Our boy is an absolute joy. We did loads of socialising as a puppy and he is now brilliant with other dogs and loves all people including children. There’s a lot of negativity around collies on MN - and a show line is certainly no guarantee of a more chilled dog - but as with all breeds, it’s the owner that makes the biggest difference. I love my boy to the moon and back.

Collie vs Labrador
Collie vs Labrador
Collie vs Labrador
Ivedonethisthreetimealready · 01/06/2022 21:22

I have collies, lab and spaniels and do agility.

Not all collies are able to do agility. It is too highly arousing for some and they literally lose their minds. So collie does not equal agility dog.

What would you do with the collie if it did not want to do agility? Collies may be intelligent so that can make them hard to train, as they are one step ahead of you all the time. Collies do not need excessive exercise but do need time (quite a lot of it) to be stimulated and brain training.

Working labs may like agility but it can be hard on their joints - it depends how seriously you want to do agility. Labs will compete but it would not be good to be doing it every weekend etc.

Nothing to stop you doing agility with your shitzu - Ive seen several competing last weekend.

Original poster
CleverQuacks · 01/06/2022 21:28

Thank you. Lots to think about. My Shihtzu is the laziest dog I have ever met. She barely wants to go out for her daily walk so can’t imagine her running round an agility course. I am prepared for a much higher energy dog. I am not keen on Spaniels. My sister has two and they are the naughtiest dogs I have met (granted that’s partly a bad owner though). I think a working lab might be the best bet, although I do love collies and I am worried about the bad joints aspects of a lab. Ugh it’s such a hard choice!

OP posts:
ThisIsNotThePostYourLookingFor · 01/06/2022 21:33

Border collies are fantastic dogs. Usually very playful and energetic, I say usually because our current one is terribly lazy and a scared of her own shadow!

GrandRapids · 01/06/2022 22:15

Lab 100%. Much more straightforward

Motorina · 02/06/2022 21:35

I do agility. I love it. I’m camping at an agility show right now in fact.

It’s maybe 3 hours a week of our lives, on average. The remaining umpty-ahhh hours my girls are pets.

Get the right dog for your lifestyle, and let the agility fall where it will. If you’re getting a puppy, you won’t know for sure if it’s interested for a while, anyway, regardless of breed.

There are two or three labs in my agility class who are really good. Focused, hard working. And one who is, uhhhh, less so. And some collies that are great and some who are over excited and uncontrollable. No reason either can’t make a great agility dog, with the right training.

But pick the breed you want to live with, first.

Original poster
CleverQuacks · 03/06/2022 18:09

Thank you. That’s really good advice

OP posts:
SelkieSeal · 03/06/2022 18:15

We have a 10 month old collie x black lab...best of both worlds 😍

Collie vs Labrador
maddy68 · 03/06/2022 18:26

Collies are complex I would go for a lab with younger children

Dinosaur975326788900864322456778899900754543 · 09/06/2022 07:43

Poodle? Companion dog with agility and intelligence

Ostryga · 09/06/2022 07:48

I was going to suggest a poodle as well. They’re highly intelligent, good at agility and lovely family dogs. My aunt has 4 standards and they are the best dogs. They’ll go for miles on a run with her, or happy to laze about with a much shorter walk. I love them.

KirstenBlest · 09/06/2022 07:53

Border collies are working dogs and not really suitable as pets. They need a lot of stimulation, exercise and have the herding instinct. I don't think it would be a pal for the shih-tzu

Labradors eat everything.

My first thought was a poodle. Intelligent dogs

Nap1983 · 09/06/2022 12:54

I’m biased lol but a lab all day. Mines has been easy to train, easy going In The house but lively and energetic when out and about. The only lab downside to me is the greed 🙄
most collies (admittedly I can’t speak for the whole breed) have been a bit neurotic, aloof and only interested in their person or ball.

Original poster
CleverQuacks · 09/06/2022 19:16

Thank you for all the suggestions. I will have a look at poodles as I had not considered them.

OP posts:
Whattodo121 · 09/06/2022 19:53

We have a one year old collie and she is a bit neurotic, a bit aloof and not great with people she doesn’t know but we adore her. She is incredibly affectionate and loving with ‘her people’ and her recall and focus on us when out and about is absolutely spot on. I wouldn’t remotely recommend her for a family with younger children, our DS is 10 and they are great pals, but she’s not keen on other children at all.

Motorina · 10/06/2022 07:33

To add, there's no reason you couldn't do agility wiht your shitzu. Kennel Club's smallest jump height is 30cm, and I've seen some very teeny tiny dogs running in that category. But UK Agility has an additional height category (micro?) which jumps at 20cm.

Most shows also have 'anysize' classes where you can select the height of jump, and which don't include the most physically challenging equipment such as seesaws. They're often entered by old, semi-retired dogs, young just starting out dogs, or dogs who are injured or otherwise unable to jump at their measured heights.

If you go to a show there will be plenty of collies, but also plenty of dogs from breeds you wouldn't expect. You wouldn't be the only person with a toy breed competing.