Border Collie

Author
Discussion

PH.sausages

Original Poster:

64 posts

103 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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Anyone got one?

Any tips / considerations appreciated.

We like regular long walks in the countryside so activity/exercise not an issue.

Would be our only dog, other half works from home so not worried about it being lonely.

Thanks

Thats What She Said

1,180 posts

95 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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We've got 2, they are great dogs. Very intelligent, and need plenty of physical & mental excercise.

They are pretty possesive, in that they arent too keen on strangers.

I'd say as long as you know what you're getting into, go for it. We wouldnt be without one (or 2 or 3).

ziggy328

1,073 posts

221 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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Never had one. Friends had two. They were both totally mental. Hope you either have a huge garden or like lots of walking. They needed tons of exercise. Based upon our friends experience, we'd never have one ourselves. I think they belong on a farm!

moorx

3,931 posts

121 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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Will this be your first dog? A BC is not necessarily a breed I would recommend as a first dog (I am sure I will be flamed by people who have had them as their first dog though!)

My parents had collies and collie crosses almost exclusively when I was growing up. They were not the easiest of dogs, and definitely need plenty of both physical and mental stimulation. My best friend had a BC from a pup to old age. My OH also had BCs (from working stock), one as a family dog, one as his own. When he and I moved to a house in the country with 10 acres of land, I was sure he would want another, but he didn't, as he feels they really need a working home (again, pet collie owners, don't shoot me, it's an opinion!)

They are very, very intelligent and incredible dogs in the right environment, and if you can fully occupy them. As someone else has said, they can get neurotic if bored.

I've owned 14 dogs, but don't think I'll ever have a collie. They're just too 'intense' and 'high maintenance' for me.

But that's me. Ultimately, it needs to be your decision, but well done for asking.

GiantEnemyCrab

7,724 posts

210 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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There is a lady called parakitamol on here who is very good at dog behaviours etc although haven't seen them post for a while.

Could be worth a PM to chat through thoughts?

Slowboathome

4,460 posts

51 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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In my (limited) experience you need a good reason to choose a Border Collie. It's not like getting a Labrador.

A lot of Border Collies are like old-school Ferraris - fast and potentially a bit of a handful.

soad

33,453 posts

183 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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Very protective, witnessed it twice. Will actually guard you.

HustleRussell

25,204 posts

167 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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ziggy328 said:
Based upon our friends experience, we'd never have one ourselves.
Same here, although in my case it's my aunt and uncle who keep 'em.

ilovesheds

Original Poster:

64 posts

103 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
quotequote all
Thanks for replies. It would be my first dog, other half had good experience with dogs growing up though. So reasonably confident she can train it fairly well from a young age etc.

We want a medium size, intelligent dog to enjoy the outdoors with.

Thats What She Said

1,180 posts

95 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
quotequote all
ilovesheds said:
Thanks for replies. It would be my first dog, other half had good experience with dogs growing up though. So reasonably confident she can train it fairly well from a young age etc.

We want a medium size, intelligent dog to enjoy the outdoors with.
Pretty brave getting one as a first dog.

Have you considered a Lab? They are very easy to get on with (much less maintenance than a collie).

John87

696 posts

165 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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How regular are your regular long walks? To keep a border collie happy you will need to be walking it for hours daily not just a weekend hike or similar. We had several as family dogs when I was growing up but I wouldn't have one now as they are such a huge commitment.

If you are able to give one the exercise needed then they are very rewarding dogs and incredibly intelligent. I have some old 80s home videos of our old one standing on its hind legs and rocking my pram to get me to sleep hehe

Olivera

7,671 posts

246 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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Wouldn't consider one at all unless you live in a detached house with good outside space, and have lots of time to stimulate it with exercise and activities. In the wrong environment they can be a nightmare for both owners and neighbours.

InitialDave

12,235 posts

126 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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You know the enthusiastic nature of a terrier?

Kind of like that only with nuclear fusion levels of energy reserve to draw on.

anonymous-user

61 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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Check out seanthesheepman on youtube, his dogs are amazing.

moorx

3,931 posts

121 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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ilovesheds said:
Thanks for replies. It would be my first dog, other half had good experience with dogs growing up though. So reasonably confident she can train it fairly well from a young age etc.

We want a medium size, intelligent dog to enjoy the outdoors with.
Not a dog I have experience with, but a number of people on here have Hungarian Vizslas, which seem to me a good fit for people who want the 'outdoorsy' dog which is trainable but also very affectionate and does chill out too.

As others have said, labs are also an option, as are spaniels (I do have a cocker spaniel, but due to her background she is not really 'typical'!)

joshcowin

6,956 posts

183 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
quotequote all
ilovesheds said:
Thanks for replies. It would be my first dog, other half had good experience with dogs growing up though. So reasonably confident she can train it fairly well from a young age etc.

We want a medium size, intelligent dog to enjoy the outdoors with.
Lab x alsatian - great dog offers everything you want

Kawasicki

13,471 posts

242 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
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We’ve had one as a family pet for 5 years. He was bought as a puppy and he has been absolutely amazing.

Ours isn’t one of the super clever ones, but he is very perceptive, even tempered, confident and refined, he just needs the slightest hint to know what he should do. We were lucky in that we visited the farm we bought him from and his mother and grandfather were both extremely friendly and not at all nervous.

I don’t know if it’s important, but we never castrated him.

As others mentioned, he needs lots of physical activity… he gets at least an hour a day… and every second day or so he is brought for a 5-10 Km fast run (accompanying a bicycle). This really calms him down.

Growing up in a farming area, there was some amazing BC and some proper vicious examples. I’m not sure how much of that is genetic or how they’re treated.

ilovesheds

Original Poster:

64 posts

103 months

Sunday 13th August 2023
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice!

Sounds like it's achievable, but also a gamble!

Will consider labs when looking, they seem like a safer choice.

We have a detached house with a bit of a garden, would be looking at 2 walks a day, big walks at weekends, and my OH will take it running 5-8k two or three times a week. So fairly active but understand a BC will need this consistently.

HustleRussell

25,204 posts

167 months

Monday 14th August 2023
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ilovesheds said:
Will consider labs when looking, they seem like a safer choice.
You cannot possibly imagine how different in temperament two medium-sized breeds of dog can be!

maccboy

671 posts

145 months

Monday 14th August 2023
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We have a BC, from a puppy. He is not like anything I've read on here! He's calm and pretty laid back. He's very gentle as well as very intelligent. He's also very friendly with every person and dog we meet on our walks. He gets two long walks a day, with extra long ones at weekends. He is now 18 months old and doesn't really need the longer walks but enjoys them and would walk forever.
If you get a puppy, make sure you don't over walk them. It can cause problems with their joints. We were told by my son (who is a vet) that they is only have 5 minutes walk per month of their age, twice a day. So at 6 months, they should only be walked for 2x30 minute sessions. It does depend on whether a 'walk' is a saunter through the woods or a full-on ball-chasing session!