Border collie?
Discussion
We lost our lurcher to cancer in May last year, and the time has come to find a new friend for our GSD.
I've tried many, many rescues - but despite my best efforts, I've drawn a blank. They appear not to want to rehome dogs with GSDs, so I've given up for now.
So, a puppy it is. But now the question arises - what kind? Personally I'm all for something big and placid like a Newfoundland, but even I have to admit it'd be difficult to lift her into the car when she's fully grown.
Son has set his heart on a border collie, and GSD gets on well with them on our morning walks. I'm a bit concerned about all the reports that they're high-energy dogs and get destructive if they're left to get bored. So I was wondering, does anyone have any advice or info to relate?
Thanks in advance! Current resident says hi.
I've tried many, many rescues - but despite my best efforts, I've drawn a blank. They appear not to want to rehome dogs with GSDs, so I've given up for now.
So, a puppy it is. But now the question arises - what kind? Personally I'm all for something big and placid like a Newfoundland, but even I have to admit it'd be difficult to lift her into the car when she's fully grown.
Son has set his heart on a border collie, and GSD gets on well with them on our morning walks. I'm a bit concerned about all the reports that they're high-energy dogs and get destructive if they're left to get bored. So I was wondering, does anyone have any advice or info to relate?
Thanks in advance! Current resident says hi.
I have had two female Border Collies from puppies, they are remarkable dogs. They are extremely smart and very trainable and obedient.
A couple of things that I have found -
They obey one master. This may stem back to the Shepard working dog relationship that runs through their blood - this means they are extremely loyal to the owner but they can get protective. Integration with family and including family members in training will mitigate this.
They are high energy dogs especially if they come from a working bloodline however they are not hyper like other breeds, its more immense stamina. They are relentless and will be able to keep going and going and going. I used to mountain bike with one of them running along side and they keep up no problem for miles on end.
I really think they are a great breed for the loyalty, size and personality.
A couple of things that I have found -
They obey one master. This may stem back to the Shepard working dog relationship that runs through their blood - this means they are extremely loyal to the owner but they can get protective. Integration with family and including family members in training will mitigate this.
They are high energy dogs especially if they come from a working bloodline however they are not hyper like other breeds, its more immense stamina. They are relentless and will be able to keep going and going and going. I used to mountain bike with one of them running along side and they keep up no problem for miles on end.
I really think they are a great breed for the loyalty, size and personality.
That's very helpful, thanks! I think we need to get a female, our boy gets on very well with ladies so probably best not to get any "competition" for him.
Your girls sound lovely, not unlike my boy in temperament. I'm just going to get a pet, I don't need a dog from a working line - but we do need a dog that will enjoy walking long distances with us. The size would be good, too - smaller than a GSD, but still a "proper dog".
I've just been looking at photos of pups.
Just got to find a decent breeder now!
Your girls sound lovely, not unlike my boy in temperament. I'm just going to get a pet, I don't need a dog from a working line - but we do need a dog that will enjoy walking long distances with us. The size would be good, too - smaller than a GSD, but still a "proper dog".
I've just been looking at photos of pups.
Just got to find a decent breeder now!We've got two border collies - one male (~24 months), one female (~30 months). Had both of them from pups.
I echo everything SDarks says - they have stacks of energy and they're smart, obedient, loyal, easy to train, alert, wonderfully affectionate. Not once have they chewed anything in the house which wasn't theirs.
Ours get walked for at least an hour a day, during which time their chasing of balls is utterly relentless.
They are very friendly with other dogs, but will defend each other as we discovered when a GSD cross had a pop at our young 'un last week.
Both of ours were from Birkcross breeders (near Sevenoaks) - they are on Facebook.
I would never be without dogs and, as long as I can give then the exercise they need, it will always be border collies.
I echo everything SDarks says - they have stacks of energy and they're smart, obedient, loyal, easy to train, alert, wonderfully affectionate. Not once have they chewed anything in the house which wasn't theirs.
Ours get walked for at least an hour a day, during which time their chasing of balls is utterly relentless.
They are very friendly with other dogs, but will defend each other as we discovered when a GSD cross had a pop at our young 'un last week.
Both of ours were from Birkcross breeders (near Sevenoaks) - they are on Facebook.
I would never be without dogs and, as long as I can give then the exercise they need, it will always be border collies.
Edited by SS2. on Wednesday 12th January 12:47
Brilliant, thanks SS2! That's perfect. I was concerned about a baby collie having lots of energy and a low boredom threshold and chomping her way through skirting boards, shoes and socks, but it sounds as though I don't need to worry about that. Well, no more so than with any other pup, anyway! 
We have two and they are very different.
One rough coat boy came from a pet breeder and is amazingly chilled, doesn't really like walks and is happiest on the sofa or in front of the fire.
The other one came from a sheep dog breeder and we are having a few more issues with him and have had chats with a behaviourist. He randomly attacks the older collie, randomly dislikes people even if they have met a few minutes earlier and won't tolerate children at all. He is however fantastically skilled at being a sheep dog and the trainer even offered to buy him from us. It's not too much energy either, I regularly take him running and we also try to tire him out mentally.
I wouldn't get swap either though, they are amazingly smart, loving and fun dogs.
This is the older one
One rough coat boy came from a pet breeder and is amazingly chilled, doesn't really like walks and is happiest on the sofa or in front of the fire.
The other one came from a sheep dog breeder and we are having a few more issues with him and have had chats with a behaviourist. He randomly attacks the older collie, randomly dislikes people even if they have met a few minutes earlier and won't tolerate children at all. He is however fantastically skilled at being a sheep dog and the trainer even offered to buy him from us. It's not too much energy either, I regularly take him running and we also try to tire him out mentally.
I wouldn't get swap either though, they are amazingly smart, loving and fun dogs.
This is the older one
SGirl said:
Brilliant, thanks SS2! That's perfect. I was concerned about a baby collie having lots of energy and a low boredom threshold and chomping her way through skirting boards, shoes and socks, but it sounds as though I don't need to worry about that. Well, no more so than with any other pup, anyway!
I also agree with this, neither of ours have ever chewed anything other than their toys and don't steal food either 
We got Archie at ten weeks old, he's coming up ten years old in April. To start with he was a proper handful, and we were both immensely grateful that our daughter was home long term to help train him. He has always had walks in the morning and evening, plus proper couple of hour walks at the weekend. However it didn't stop him eating the walls and lino in the kitchen and destroying most of his toys! He is well past that now though.
We also have a very helpful neighbour who would look after him when we were all out - as in take him round to her house and let him play with her dog, plus another neighbour across the road who would take him out at lunchtimes. He's now quite comfortable being left for hours on his own, walks without a lead, knows when he can go bonkers when out and when not to, and, I think, only a handful of times in the last six years or so had any overnight accidents.
In short, with Collies, you have to put the time and effort in, and you will be rewarded richly. I wouldn't be without my boy now for anything.
We also have a very helpful neighbour who would look after him when we were all out - as in take him round to her house and let him play with her dog, plus another neighbour across the road who would take him out at lunchtimes. He's now quite comfortable being left for hours on his own, walks without a lead, knows when he can go bonkers when out and when not to, and, I think, only a handful of times in the last six years or so had any overnight accidents.
In short, with Collies, you have to put the time and effort in, and you will be rewarded richly. I wouldn't be without my boy now for anything.
Just an observation from an Old English Sheepdog owner.
I've noticed Border Collies don't really bother with other dogs. Their concentration is with the owner, ball, and stick.
Whenever I come across them with my OES, they must think he's a sheep (certainly looks like one) and get low on the ground waiting for the call to round him up
Lovely dogs.
I've noticed Border Collies don't really bother with other dogs. Their concentration is with the owner, ball, and stick.
Whenever I come across them with my OES, they must think he's a sheep (certainly looks like one) and get low on the ground waiting for the call to round him up
Lovely dogs.
We have had Mack now for just over 7 years and it's been a challenge for sure, especially the first year!
We had it all during that first year, chewing the leather under all the dining room chairs, skirting boards, swallowed a sock with trip to vets. ate my bankcard. chewed part of the new fitted kitchen, nipped everyone.......!
But, it's still the best thing we have ever done. Had working collies on the farm growing up and was the only dog I wanted and don't regret a thing.
He still pulls on the lead, still tries to chase cars when walking on the road and tends to ignore most other dogs but get him to the woods or beach with a ball and life is just great!
We are active family, lots of mountain biking and days out walking everywhere and he never stops.
We had it all during that first year, chewing the leather under all the dining room chairs, skirting boards, swallowed a sock with trip to vets. ate my bankcard. chewed part of the new fitted kitchen, nipped everyone.......!
But, it's still the best thing we have ever done. Had working collies on the farm growing up and was the only dog I wanted and don't regret a thing.
He still pulls on the lead, still tries to chase cars when walking on the road and tends to ignore most other dogs but get him to the woods or beach with a ball and life is just great!
We are active family, lots of mountain biking and days out walking everywhere and he never stops.
Thanks everybody, this is all really useful information.
Thinking about it, I’m pretty sure my neighbour would be only too pleased to have a part-time dog if we need to go out, so that’s not going to be a problem. And the dog will get loads of exercise, too.
I wish I could get a rescue, I’ve applied for loads! But I keep getting knocked back - one rescue has been honest and said they were hoping to rehome their dog with another smaller dog, which is fair enough. Most of the others haven’t even bothered getting back to me. And there was me thinking rescues were all packed with dogs and desperate to place them in homes. Ah well.
I think I need a pet collie, not a dog from a working line. So now I know where I should be looking.
Thanks for all your help! I’ll keep you updated on the search.
Oh - and your photos are fab! Please post more.
Thinking about it, I’m pretty sure my neighbour would be only too pleased to have a part-time dog if we need to go out, so that’s not going to be a problem. And the dog will get loads of exercise, too.
I wish I could get a rescue, I’ve applied for loads! But I keep getting knocked back - one rescue has been honest and said they were hoping to rehome their dog with another smaller dog, which is fair enough. Most of the others haven’t even bothered getting back to me. And there was me thinking rescues were all packed with dogs and desperate to place them in homes. Ah well.
I think I need a pet collie, not a dog from a working line. So now I know where I should be looking.
Thanks for all your help! I’ll keep you updated on the search.
Oh - and your photos are fab! Please post more.
We got a collie cross as a rescue coming up 4 years ago, she was very much a pup and has filled out a bit since.
She’s very affectionate and loves to be around us around the house, I don’t think I have ever tired her out, we have an older dog a corgi cross (just like a Lancashire Healer) and do walk about 50 mins every lunch with an hour to 1:45 on nice days.
She loves walks, food and sitting at your feet, alongside you all day but interestingly she never plays with toys or a ball or fetches anything.
Chewed only her bed for a few months and loves going in the car.
Our other dog was a rescue too, had him 10 years and he’s like Victor Medrew in dog form until a squeaky toy appeals.
I wouldn’t rule out a rescue and there’s a Collie rescue centre near us in Staffordshire that seem to have supplied half the family pets in the village.
Good luck with your search.
Again would agree with all of the above. Had 2 collies in a row. Both rescue at 1 year-ish. Both great dogs.
They are hugely intelligent, trainable, loyal, obedient etc. Current one will collect specific balls or toys when told, ignoring others. Took only a hour to reach him the difference between a tennis ball and a rubber ball. If you put the work in and don't expect then to sit home alone. However all collies can be a bit nervous and like calm and leadership. But they are not food obsessed or chase stock or wildlife if correctly trained, unlike some labs. or spaniels.
Strangely (or not) the collies in our village seem to all know each others are collies and happy to play, regardless of age. And most seem to be disinterested in most other dogs especially the small barky ones, who they give a wide berth.
And the obligatory phot:
They are hugely intelligent, trainable, loyal, obedient etc. Current one will collect specific balls or toys when told, ignoring others. Took only a hour to reach him the difference between a tennis ball and a rubber ball. If you put the work in and don't expect then to sit home alone. However all collies can be a bit nervous and like calm and leadership. But they are not food obsessed or chase stock or wildlife if correctly trained, unlike some labs. or spaniels.
Strangely (or not) the collies in our village seem to all know each others are collies and happy to play, regardless of age. And most seem to be disinterested in most other dogs especially the small barky ones, who they give a wide berth.
And the obligatory phot:
Former collie owner and current owner of collie cross.
Fabulous dogs but there is a wide range of temperaments among them.
Ours was a rescue and scared of her own shadow. She came to work with us and so had lots of mental stimulation.
Sorry to read about rescue societies not wanting an existing Shepherd in the house.
We got Pippin from Border Collie Trust in Lichfield which I think another poster mentioned.
You could also try Black Retriever Cross rescue, from where we got Sorcha, our cross. They have loads of Irish dogs and are a small but personal rescue.
Your GSD looks great.
Good luck. Oh, and photo of Pippin, our first dog.
Fabulous dogs but there is a wide range of temperaments among them.
Ours was a rescue and scared of her own shadow. She came to work with us and so had lots of mental stimulation.
Sorry to read about rescue societies not wanting an existing Shepherd in the house.
We got Pippin from Border Collie Trust in Lichfield which I think another poster mentioned.
You could also try Black Retriever Cross rescue, from where we got Sorcha, our cross. They have loads of Irish dogs and are a small but personal rescue.
Your GSD looks great.
Good luck. Oh, and photo of Pippin, our first dog.
SGirl said:
Thanks everybody, this is all really useful information.
Thinking about it, I’m pretty sure my neighbour would be only too pleased to have a part-time dog if we need to go out, so that’s not going to be a problem. And the dog will get loads of exercise, too.
I wish I could get a rescue, I’ve applied for loads! But I keep getting knocked back - one rescue has been honest and said they were hoping to rehome their dog with another smaller dog, which is fair enough. Most of the others haven’t even bothered getting back to me. And there was me thinking rescues were all packed with dogs and desperate to place them in homes. Ah well.
I think I need a pet collie, not a dog from a working line. So now I know where I should be looking.
Thanks for all your help! I’ll keep you updated on the search.
Oh - and your photos are fab! Please post more.
Photos you say? Thinking about it, I’m pretty sure my neighbour would be only too pleased to have a part-time dog if we need to go out, so that’s not going to be a problem. And the dog will get loads of exercise, too.
I wish I could get a rescue, I’ve applied for loads! But I keep getting knocked back - one rescue has been honest and said they were hoping to rehome their dog with another smaller dog, which is fair enough. Most of the others haven’t even bothered getting back to me. And there was me thinking rescues were all packed with dogs and desperate to place them in homes. Ah well.
I think I need a pet collie, not a dog from a working line. So now I know where I should be looking.
Thanks for all your help! I’ll keep you updated on the search.
Oh - and your photos are fab! Please post more.
This is from literally 5 seconds ago and a view that most collie owners will recognise!
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