A Bearded Collie? No more terriers? :(

[Rhinestonecowgirlie]

All my life, I have owned working terrier dogs. Love them to pieces and I'm a terrier girl through and through.

However, I'm now a loving auntie, with kids visiting my house a lot. Despite loving terriers, my old terrier and the terriers of my parents, often growl at the kids. I LOVE them, but they just don't show the same level of tolerance as I see in other breeds. I want to stress we never leave kids and dogs unattended, and we tell all kids not to approach the dogs (which they don't), it's more just when we pick up the baby or the toddlers, the dogs sometimes just look at them and growl or run away if the kids come too close accidentally.

Now, I'm also aware there will be some terriers out there who are wonderful with children. However, having owned lots of terriers, I believe they don't have the goofy, tolerant personality of other more childfriendly breeds.

My dear friend owns a Beardie. She is the most gentle soul! Loves kids, so tolerant, if slightly daft. I have the chance of a pup. Do you have experience of beardies? Will any of their characteristics shock a seasoned terrier lover like me? 👀

Aww! No recent experience or useful advice, but my childhood dog was a bearded collie and she was gorgeous. More recently we’ve had staffie x and they’re wonderful with children, but rough looking though and some people really don’t like them.

@Lamelie they are such beautiful dogs!

I know this isn’t your question but have you considered a Cairn Terrier. We had one when my son was growing up and she was absolutely perfect around him and all his boisterous mates - never showed anything but tolerance and such a happy, fun-loving girl. Met lots of Cairns over the years (still drawn to them despite losing her years ago) and never met a nasty one yet. I had the same reservations about terriers with children but like you, I love a terrier and when I researched I found Cairns are known for being good with kids.

Bearded collies are lovely of course but I didn’t want another big dog that could easily knock little ones over when DS was little.

We have a staffy bull terrier too and he is amazing with children. He has the patience of a saint with my 2 year old, they get on like a house on fire. We had him for 6 years before my son came along though so we knew his friendly and gentle nature well. I wouldn't get another new staffy now just because of their strength, unfair as that is to the breed.

I had a Beardie. He was a lovely boy. But OMG he was stubborn.

Also, anytime he got near water he had to get in. Be it the sea, a filthy pond or anywhere he could submerge himself. Then he would bark in pleasure continuously until you could get him out.

My Beardie was of the dark grey variety. My friend had a light grey one and was incredibly soppy.

I agree that terriers and kids isn't an obvious match. My small terrier has very little time for kids (especially toddlers) and can be scary for them, as they can be scary for him. I just wouldn't trust him at all with kids in a confined space.

However, I think border and cairn terriers are fantastic little dogs who generally get along well with kids. At least is what I can see in the parks, loads of families with them. Never met a bad one.

All that to say that I wouldn't rule out the whole of the terrier group.

I have taught many terriers agility. I have a Border terrier myself. My experience of them is that if you buy or rescue carefully, which does involve paying for, then they can be absolutely wonderful dogs and very family friendly. They are highly intelligent and NEED something to do in order to be fulfilled and they also need careful socialising and training - in particular impulse control (which isn't a hard thing to teach). They don't naturally have it.

My experiences of Bearded collies are they are highly strung and can be a handful. I know a few.

We had a Beardie, he was a gorgeous boy, very loyal and loving. Loved a good bark up 😂 absolutely adored people. Coat needs care, double coated, waxy coat underneath, we knew where he liked to lay, as you could tell by the paintwork! And a good hoover is essential!

We have 3 beardies, had others in the past. All different personalties, all mud magnets. You are so lucky getting the chance of a pup. There are really friendly and helpful facebook groups.

I know a lovely Border Terrier. I think they tend to be at the milder end of the terrier spectrum.

I was going to say the same. I grew up with cairns and have an old boy now. We got him when I was pregnant, everyone told me I was mad, it was the best decision for us. He has grown up with DTs and they love each other. He herds them when we are out, will not take his eyes off them (well nose, he's blind now).

We had a bearded collie growing up, he was the loveliest, gentle kind soul.

I’m a terrier girl too. Currently have a crazy Jack Russell/Yorkshire terrier cross and most certainly would NOT recommend him with young kids.
However, my last dog who sadly passed away last year, was the best dog I have ever owned (miss him like crazy). He was a Norfolk Terrier and an absolute joy around kids. I used to take him to pick my kids up from school and all the kids knew him and would come over for a cuddle, he loved people so much (I truly believe he thought of himself as human). In fact he was a registered pets as therapy dog, he was that docile.

You are right terriers and kids are not the best mix - kids seem more likely (and their parents less wary - wrongly) of smaller dogs.

I'll go as far to say dogs and young kids are not a great mix - any breed.

Unless (like you) the adults are super dog savvy and teach the kids to leave the dog alone and really, and I mean really understand dog body language.

Dogs that are saints are very often uncomfortable- they just don't show it by growling - which is a last resort.

Saying that my friend growing up had a beardie and he was as soft as butter. If you are used to terrier coats that might be a shock - as someone said double coated, shed and need and fair bit of maintenance.

I've had loads of breeds (I foster) and I've been surprised at the ones I've fallen for (terriers, greyhounds, GSD) even though I'd have said I was a lab/spaniel kinda girl.

It's fun to have a totally different breed if you are an experienced owner - keeps it interesting!

We had a beardie many years ago. Lovely dog. He used to instinctively round up our ducks if they escaped from their pen. But, boy, they take a long time to dry when they get wet and you do need to keep on top of the coat.

Much depends on the dog being socialised with DC. The PILs had three terriers and the two who grew up with the grandchildren around were excellent with them; the older one, not so much. We had a JRT when our DC were little, proper feisty farm ratter, and she was brilliant with children.

You would increase your odds of success with a cairn or border puppy, though.

@cocksstrideintheevening 🥰

I bred and worked Lakelands and bred Welsh Terriers for many years and also had a couple of JRTs and a Border . I never once in 30 years had any issues regarding my 3 children.

It's all in the breeding, raising and socialisation. Poor dog behaviour is a result of it's environment and treatment.

Stop babying dogs (not aimed at anyone on this thread btw).

I can only give you my experience on moving from on type of dog to another.

I love & have Tibetan Terriers, I raised several from pup and I am confident enough to say I know what makes them tick (they are not Terriers!!).
As I had quite a few Tibetans and also fosterd a fair few, I thought I know dogs in general...

OMG, I took in a 6 months old cookerpoo - mini Poodle x cooker Spaniel. I think the worst thing for me is the energy this dog has! She's clever, needy and a total nutcase.

My Tibetans are stubborn, lazy and independent!
I love them all, but be prepared to have an alien in your home.

I’ve known a few Norfolks and they’ve all been really friendly little dogs and seem to be very good around children

SouthShore I’d have another in a heartbeat but the puppies (really rare to find) are around £2k each now!

We had a cross bearded collie when our girls were growing up, got her for £20 from a local family who's dog had been 'got at' by a lab. She lived for 16 years and was the most beautiful soul, however, she didn't like crowds and was pretty stubborn at times - wonderful memories

Thanks for the Cairn, Border and Norfolk terrier suggestions. I love little Norfolks, hard to find though! The terrier I have at the moment is an old Bedlington. My parents have JRT, Westie and Scottie.

Maybe I shouldn't discard the whole terrier group. I just feel its a bit more of a gamble with a terrier pup, I've yet to meet a soppy terrier! I'm really looking for a soppy, goofy dog.

Maybe the bearded collie isn't the one for me either though! The puppy is from show lines. The coat is a big consideration. I'm used to grooming my Bedlington though, but I think the Beardie coat is a different beast

Lots to think about. Any suggestions for soppy goofball breeds? 🐶

I would think about size and exercise and grooming needs. Next door had a beardie. Bloody nightmare dog! Highly strung and neurotic.
The goofy description makes me think of golden retrievers. But they are big enough to take out a small child when playing and OMG the hair. 🤣

https://www.norfolkterrierclub.co.uk/sites/default/files/inline-files/Norfolk%20Breeder%20List%202023%20Website_0.pdf

Just incase you haven’t completely ruled out a little terrier here’s a list of NT breeders, most only breed now and then though.

I know I’m biased but look how cute my little mate was, he truly had the best temperament I’ve ever known in a terrier.

Oooh Bedlingtons are known for being at the snappy end of the terrier spectrum. I wouldn’t rule out others just yet.

My fab little border terrier is great with kids. Absolutely loves them (and tbh any attention). Here she is with my DC.