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The doghouse

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Original poster

Thinking of getting a collie

81 replies

Whaet · 17/10/2022 18:43

I've tried rescue centres to adopt a rescue but as we don't have 6 foot high fencing, none of them will allow us a dog. :(

So now looking at puppies. I love collies, and was wondering what advice anyone has on the breed and what makes them happy and content?

I have 2 acres of land so plenty of space, and lots of woodland walks on my doorstep. I run and walk a lot. But when I'm not outside, I'm glued to the sofa relaxing or at my desk writing!

I'm drawn to collies because they seem very intelligent and I'd love to teach tricks/agility, they seem calm indoors, good recall, good around livestock (lots of horses, cows and sheep here).

Appreciate any advice! I grew up with greyhounds, amazing dogs but they're basically large cats! And a greyhound wouldn't be suitable with their high prey drive.

OP posts:
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ArseMenagerie · 17/10/2022 18:46

Me too. Following :)

Whattodo121 · 17/10/2022 19:18

Aw I was just talking about my collie :-) I absolutely love her and she is wonderful. So obedient and well behaved in the house, amazing recall and attentiveness on walks, basically glued to us. In the house she is completely adorable and cuddly and just perfect. Only downsides are she is quite nervous, she barks at the door etc and she’s not keen on children or other dogs that she doesn’t know.

Original poster
Whaet · 17/10/2022 19:32

Whattodo121 she sounds gorgeous! Pic? :)

Do you think nervousness is a collie trait, or down to socialisation or just individual personality?

OP posts:
tukker · 17/10/2022 19:35

We have a 2 yr old dog and as much as I love him he is hard work! He's always on the go, loves tennis balls has about 20 of them. He wakes me up every morning with a wet nose. He's very hairy and very dirty. But he's got a great character!

tukker · 17/10/2022 19:37

My collie :)

Thinking of getting a collie
Liftconfused · 17/10/2022 19:41

Collies are great but they need a job if they don’t have one they will find one…

ErrolTheDragon · 17/10/2022 19:42

Are collies naturally 'good around livestock'? I got the impression that their herding tendency is essentially hunting, but in a form that can be harnessed by appropriate training.

tabulahrasa · 17/10/2022 19:44

Whaet · 17/10/2022 19:32

Whattodo121 she sounds gorgeous! Pic? :)

Do you think nervousness is a collie trait, or down to socialisation or just individual personality?

It can be a collie trait, yes.

Also... collies aren’t actually good with livestock, they’ve got a really high chase/prey drive - that’s why they’re good for herding.

Sprig1 · 17/10/2022 19:44

Collies are fab but you really do need to put in the work socialising them well. They do have nervous tendencies so you need them them be confident in all situations.

motherofawhirlwind · 17/10/2022 19:44

Ours is ball obsessed and hates walks. Still not fully house trained at 14 months, barks at anything - passers by, leaves, birds, the wind.... Loves a cuddle though!

Original poster
Whaet · 17/10/2022 19:45

tukker · 17/10/2022 19:37

My collie :)

😍

OP posts:
ToastAndBeans · 17/10/2022 19:49

Would you consider a bearded collie? Fabulous friendly dogs, ours is an absolute sweetheart.

Ilikewinter · 17/10/2022 19:51

I would be concerned or very aware of a high prey drive. Ours was ok until around 6 months and his 'collie eye' kicked in.....hes never met sheep but ducks, cats and squirrels are his current choice of prey. It takes a lot of training to get him to stop the chase...oh and hes off the scale with cars...but hes a lovable goofball and is currently snoozing next to me. Hes 18 months old.

Galarunner · 17/10/2022 19:54

I have an ex working collie. She is very loving and loyal, calm in the house. BUT she is really isn't keen on people outside her family and likes to try and herd small dogs. My children are older teens and she is great with them but I wouldn't trust her with children as she can be pretty nervy. She is a fantastic dog but she is hard work compared to my old terrier cross. I am a fell runner so she is the perfect dog for me, she is literally impossible to tire.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 17/10/2022 19:56

Collies are working dogs and as a pp see as of if they're given a job they'll find one!!

I think there's loads of other dogs that are less highly strung that would fit your criteria and be less neurotic sensitive.

Spaniels, labs, golden retriever...

My friend recently got a collie and loves her to bits but she's a nightmare to walk as she chases cars and doesn't like new people. She has been banned from the local pub as she hit one of the waitresses!! She has had loads of training and socialisation but is still really hard work.

Original poster
Whaet · 17/10/2022 20:01

Thanks so much for the replies!

I don't think many (any?) Breeds have a low chase drive but I admit I thought because Collies are so intelligent, they'd be more trainable to call off.

Any other recommendations more than welcome!

OP posts:
LurkinBookseller · 17/10/2022 20:03

Do you mean a border collie?

Spicycurry · 17/10/2022 20:08

My friend had one, he was hilarious because he was the complete opposite of his breed description. He was really dopey and frightened of sheep. He also used to herd her children, luckily they found it hilarious!

He was a really lovely dog, though. Lots of energy Smile he was quite vocal, not sure if that’s a collie trait or not.

Came on the thread hoping for collie photos, lovely dog @tukker

OverTheRubicon · 17/10/2022 20:20

Love collies, grew up around working dogs - but realistically they're poorly suited to being pets for most people, it's not fair to them. Such a strong herding drive, quite likely to be difficult around small animals and often children, and incredibly neurotic unless they get many hours of intense exercise and stimulation every day.

Lots of other dogs would absolutely love the setup you describe. It's a shame you haven't had luck with rescues - is there any chance you could create a fenced off area by the house that could demonstrate a safe 'run'? Or otherwise there are plenty of other breeds that would love your setup.

worriedatthistime · 17/10/2022 20:27

I have a border collie and he chased cars as a pup but we trained him not too , he is super intelligent and great around the house , just sleeps and very loving , he loves people , but over about 12
Little kids make him a little nervous at times, hes fine with them but makes it clear when hes lost interest or if too noisy
Chases things if given half a chance but we normally can get him to stop
Collies often tend to be a bit nervous or highly strung an its wether you can manage that
Mine is also quite ball obsessed so we have to limit a bit
Wouldn't be without him and hes a great dog and relatively easy but we have put a lot of training in

LurkinBookseller · 17/10/2022 20:39

We had a border collie. I wouldn’t say nervous, but very, very highly strung. I wouldn’t have one with young children, although ok with other dogs if socialised properly. Our didn’t stay still for more than 10 seconds for most of his life, he was constantly on the move. Hyper-intelligent and easy to train (imo) - yet will go a bit loopy if they don’t get enough stimulation. If you’ve got land for it to run on, and time to spend on agility training or creating tasks that are a challenge, a border will be happy.

LurkinBookseller · 17/10/2022 20:43

I could throw a ball for our border for hours, and he’d return it, and be ‘again! again!’. So possibly almost an obsessive streak?

Bzzz · 17/10/2022 20:43

Have 2 collies which are fantastic. Like you we live rurally with plenty of space to run and that is sufficient. I couldn't imagine having them in a city.
One is nervous but the sweetest dog when she knows you. The other is probably the best dog you could ask for. They are from working parents but have never worked or trained. We have no issues with the chasing animals - they come to heel when the see a sheep. They go out with the horses and run alongside the bikes. Fantastic with the toddler (she frequently walks them, well holds the lead). Honestly they are amazing and once tired out love chilling on the sofa. Only issues i could say is they get wound up by wind and one is difficult to keep weight on.

gogohmm · 17/10/2022 20:46

Collies are great, they do get bored easily when young but once mature happily sleep most of the time

OneFootInFrontOfAnother · 17/10/2022 20:48

Dont be fooled that as collies are intelligent they are easy to train - rooky error Smile

I have 4 collies at the moment and have had over 15 over the years.

Collies are intelligent and need to be working. I feel strongly that it is not fair to have collies if you are not prepared to spend time doing thins with them.

Collies are easy to train what they want to learn but clever enough to avoid learning what they dont want to learn. They are also clever enought to think of things that you would never think of .

If you dont know what you are doing they can run rings around their owners and herd chase anything that moves.

They are not generally very social dogs and do not love other dog company so many are unlikely to want to interact with random dogs.

Then need a moderate amount of exercise but do need off lead running and mine get a couple of hours a day - they would settle for a bit less but I like to be out.

They are awesome dogs who will give you loads but you will need to give a lot back to have a great happy collie.

Lettin a collie go self employed in 2 acres will not go to plan, they will bark at the crows, chase off the pigeons, dig up yout mole hills, fence run, herd the sheep , bark at the cows etc.

You could not get more extreme from a greyhound to a collie tbh.

For an example you have a collie that chases the livestock do you have the skills to train it not to do this?