New puppy - is this manageable?

[Ameliel]

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice from the more experienced... I have an opportunity to buy a cocker spaniel border collie cross puppy, and it would be nice to hear from you as to the personality of the cockers and collies ? I have only had greyhounds before, they tend to be very calm and lazy, so I'm bit worried that this puppy will be too hyper and extreme for us? I know collies are quite hyper, but would the cocker side calm him down a bit? We have a big garden and countryside on the doorstep, our kids are used to dogs, but we are also busy and life is manic sometimes.. I work from home 3 days per week but would have to rely on dogwalker 2 days when I'm in office. I would be the main carer for the dog. I could only manage 2 walks per day, 20mins and 45mins. More at weekends. I know mental stimulation is also important. We lost our last grey in May and me and kids really want a new family member, DH is a bit on fence...Thank you for any advice / experience!

It's a good sports dog mix - high drive, small and agile. Agility or Hoopers.

But both border collies and cocker spaniels fit that bill - there's really no benefit to crossing them together.

There is if you want to bring the height down. Most collies measure into intermediate or large. Mixing a wcs in (or show cocker) means they measure into medium and sometimes small so they are going to beat the other dogs in those classes on time (poodles, terriers etc). Competing in smaller classes means easier wins for things like Crufts and other finals.

Not something I'd do but plenty do.

Yes, I think you need to let your head rule your heart on this.

I work from home 3 days per week but would have to rely on dogwalker 2 days when I'm in office.

In many people's opinion that rules out any puppy, let alone a cocker/collie cross. I'd have thought it'd be better to look for an adult greyhound or similar.

As to how these pups arose... we used to have a farm collie locally who'd regularly escape and roam the neighborhood- we suspect it coincided with any bitch being on heat.

Thank you, great post and very helpful. I love the "dogs in wrong environment will become :self employed " lol! They're clearly very entrepreneurial :)

I agree!

Having recently re entered competing in Agility after a 20 year break, I can say a lot has changed andnot alwaysfor the better!
Like with cockapoo's as perfect pets, there is a multitude of preferred x breeds to give you the slightest bit of advantage over other competitors.

So, if you are looking for an intelligent, high energy worker, this mix is definitely right for you... but as a pet it might get just a bit bored.

I’ve had two collies and they’re super intelligent and great dogs to own. They don’t need the hours and hours of walking that some people seem to suggest they do but they need to keep their brains active. A 20 or even 45 minute lead walk wouldn’t cut it. They need to be able to run free, sniff things out and keep their brains working. If they do that they can be pretty chilled at home. They do however expect to be included in everything. My collie for example gets a bit miffed if people are opening presents and she doesn’t have any to open. They really do need to be part of the family and engaged with all the time.

I’ve never had a cocker but I know they’re mad. A collie cocker mix won’t be anything like a greyhound. Also the issue of being out of the house all day for two days. Tbh, unless you want your house destroyed you cant really leave them that long for at least a year even with a walk in the middle of the day.

My collie for example gets a bit miffed if people are opening presents and she doesn’t have any to open. They really do need to be part of the family and engaged with all the time.

our collie tries to play cards with us!!