Border Collies - tell me all about them

Ravenwood

Ravenwood

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My son is 16 this month and for years he has been harping on about wanting a border collie as his own.

God knows where this notion came from as we have always been a springer/lab family!

But, I have to admit he is brilliant with the dogs and I truly feel that he would take responsibility for a dog of his own (but secretly I know that it would just become one of the family and I would spend most time with it!!)

So I am half inclined to get him a border pup (if I sort the kennel situation out!). Unfortunately my neighbour, who was at the very top of his game in sheep dog trials, passed away recently who would have been just the best person to ask advice from.

I know that they need constant stimulation and activity (just like a springer then
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) and I also know that they can be a bit snappy but my son assures me that that is how they are brought up in the wrong hands!

He will hopefully have a summer job with the gamekeeper when the partridges come in and I suppose he will use my springer for work and dogging in, so I have tried to persuade him to get a springer (would do me a big favour!!) but nope, he is resolute, he wants a border!

So, come on, tell me all things why he shouldn't have a border - I beg you
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Ours isn't snappy at all. She's friendly, sociable, boundless energy and loves her work. We suspect it won't be long before we can leave her to her little inbuilt alarm clock where she fetches the cows all on her lonesome. She's rather keen!
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Hi - I have a collie cross and I think collie's are fabulous- sorry that's not much help is it?!!

They are very clever, very loyal, can potentially be highly strung and nervy, very good 'herders' so they should never bugger off out on walks.

They do need a lot of stimulation but having had springers you should be well able to cope.

I think they are one of the nicest breeds - my friend used to say that they were the only dog bred for their brain as opposed to their looks. I don't know if that's true but I like the sound of it!

Sorry for not putting you off, I think you should go for it!!!
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In the right hands with plenty of exercise and stimualtion they make fab pets, they are very intelligent and independant dogs, they certainly don't need us humans to get by
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they can be a bit neurotic/highly strung when their needs are not met and they become bored with the amount of natural energy they are blessed with.
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They should be well socialised, and they are in general a breed that does not like their space invaded or in your faceness, esp by strangers or annoying cling on kids crawling around them and prodding at them
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, which is when they are more likely to snap, that and lack of training and leadership, and they don't suffer fools easily
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I would never have one, but I love to see them working, they are so clever and can pick tricks, training in no time.
They have a natural herd/chase instinct and can commonly cause their owners much distress with their bicycle chasing and car whell facination
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Im sure Lucy N will tell u what a joy they are to train
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Edited to say, they are very easy to train to stay on property and rarely leave your side.
 
I have 2 atm, my OH has 4 - all are working sheep dogs. As you have already said they do need a lot of eercise and stimulation and without it you are more likely to see the snappy and difficult temperaments - although in my experience that is more down to the individual as I have had 3 who would be happy to go for a wander then back to the fire! I have the red one which I think is still in my sig and he has been a completely different kettle of fish from any of the others I have had - stroppy, arrogant and downright difficult at times but a fantastic worker and generally a nice fun lad.
I love mine dearly and they are more than just workers to me, we have also done agility and obedience. BUT I'm strongly of the opinion that unless you can give them a huge amount of time, exercise and stimulation then they really aren't thr dog for a family home - some yes but IME not all.
 
I had two Border Collies when I was a teenager, and my teenage daughter now has one.

They are incredibly intelligent, and need masses of mental and physical stimulation.

My daughter's collie is the most wonderful dog we have ever had - she is sweet, friendly, intelligent, we take her everywhere with us and she is always beautifully behaved. Once she has had a good run, she is happy to settle quietly in the house, unlike my previous two who felt the need to be outside running ALL day!
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The downsides ..... they can be a bit nippy in the wrong hands, their instinct to round up is VERY strong, so she is forever trying to round up the horses, and some do like to chase wheels whether they are on a bike or a car.
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If you are interested in getting one, check out the breeders VERY CAREFULLY, as there are some very hyper/badly bred collies out there. We did lots of research, found a breeder we liked the sound of, went and visited and met all the dogs and bitches, and then put our name down on the waiting list, and we waited a year - but Daisy was worth waiting for, she is truly one in a million - I would show you a pic if only I knew how, as she is a straight blue (not a blue merle ) and is beautiful though I say it myself!
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Good Luck whatever you decide.
 
i have 5 collies and compete in agility.....

ANY collie. no matter how well bred and trained/socialised has the potential to nip.

my advice would be unless you plan on devoting your life to something like trials or agility - do not get one from a farm or working home of any sort, and do not get a rescue.

however.... a collie more from show bred lines may suit you better. Unfortunately there is a distinct difference now between the 2 types, much like we see with show labs/gun dogs. however, there are some lovely show bred types out there which are more suited to family living. Make sure any pup you buy is from hip and eye tested parents.


this is a line i know of that may suit you... just so you see the type i mean
http://www.geocities.com/turnerlocheil/
http://www.borderbrookbordercollies.co.uk/Locheil_Winter_Sunset_at_Borderbrook_i01434.aspx
hope this is helpful:)
 
Yup cala is right. Mine however did not read the hand book about not leaving your side, easy to train blah blah blah!!! however he is now 9/10 getting it!!!
we are hopefully going to have a go at learning to herd sheep in a lovely controlled manner over the summer, and also next year at uni I am going to take him to agility so that will be fun!

they are great all round dogs, but if you dont give them the attention they need they become pains in the a**.... and destroy £50 textbooks! grrrrr........

However they are pretty!
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A friend of mine breeds and does obedience/heelwork/agility with them they are fantastic dogs and seem to have endless energy and definately need stimulation all the ones I have met have had lovely temprements and my three love them.
I would definately have one in the future

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They make darn cute pups too
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I have a nearly 11 month old Border Collie or in my dogs case a working sheepdog even though he has never worked sheep.He has turned into a delight to own.I dont think personally i would own another breed,Flossy is my/our third Collie.We have done training and obediance which has been a god send as an old farmer friend told me a bored collie is a bad collie,never a true word spoken.They need things to do.You will never tire their body so you have to tire the mind first.Yes collie's have been known to nip but as has been said their upbringing from puppy-hood will decide alot of things.Go on let your boy have a collie.Think of the peace and quiet you will get as your son does a 4 hour walk every day trying to knacker the dog out.
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I love border collies
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But as has already been said, they aren't for everyone! Mine never tire, although they are very good at understanding "quiet time" (at the same time they are up for working the second you suggest it!).

I would really recommend looking into lines not just getting a farm bred (I don't mean working lines versus show lines I mean your average farmer that accidently had a litter) collie. I have seen a fair few farm collies and they are very sharp. I'm sure there are nice ones out there - but at least make sure you see what BOTH parents are like.

My boys are from full working lines (ISDS and KC registered) and I researched into lots of different lines and whenever I found a dog I liked I had a good search into as many others from similar lines as possible.
Don't get me wrong they are still strong minded but with an even temperament and from day one they always wanted to please - which is a really big help in training and rewarding
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I'd never be without a collie now as they are just lovely but I'd only have them if I had a job to give them, we do agility
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I have ten border collies, they are fantastic dogs, but they aren't easy dogs. They are highly intelligent and therefore need constant mental stimulation. They aren't snappy, they collie nip and herd if you aren't pack leader. Being intelligent means they pick up new things quickly so are fantastic at training but you need to be one step ahead of them.
Nickie
 
i have a 1yr old border collie bitch and although some of her habits are a little strange i wouldnt swap her for the world. she will herd anything in sight tho so its a shame i didnt actually buy her to be a working dog. I grew up with my dads collie and always adored her this is what spurred me to have one of my own as soon as i was able.
She is on the go all day long chasing, playing, running. But she very rarely goes out of sight and out of all my dogs she is the one i will take hacking around the fields as she will come back to a whistle 99.9% of the time.
Shes been a super dog to train (very much from farm background,born outside etc) and prefers to spend her time outside if given the choice but will always come in at night and take up position on the sofa and she is so loving and i would very confidently say she would never ever nip/bite unless very very much provoked and even then im not sure.
I would have another one tomorrow if OH would let me expand the brood. I would like a red one next but have been told they tend to be harder to train.......?

I should add that i know you asked about bad points but i cant think of any!
Plus my OH was very much a lab man and he absolutly adores our collie and will even get off the sofa to let her get on!!
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Can't say anything bad about the breed as it's my number one choice and I really think once you go collie you never go back. However, it's pointless getting one to be a sofa ornament. They aren't happy unless they are "working" and even pet ones will find "work" for themselves unless directed!! Mine has never nipped in a bad way but I did lose the ar** out of a pair of trousers once when I was teaching her to change direction at speed. She was extremely excited and zoomed past my back end with her teeth flailing!! If your son seriously wants to have a go at obedience or agility then let him go for it. They are good to train so he won't be dissapointed. I'd go farm bred as I think the show types have less focus and therefore can be more problematic. I'm biased though mine was a farm dog until I got her at 18months.
 
QR: Thank you so much everyone - I had no idea there were so many Collie owning HHO'ers
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I didn't realise that there was the show/work divide like the labs and springers and haven't they only just been recognised by the KC?

Also wasn't aware that they suffered hip problems either specifically and I had unthinkingly guessed we would get a pup from an ad in the Mole Valley Farmers newsletter!
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Lots more thought needed before we can definitely decide
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any one know of a working (Sheep not agility) bitch pup available just started looking for another for farm and demo work thanks
 
What area are you in? The Mole Valley newsletter has a "for sale" section and there are about four litters advertised in there all in the southwest.
 
we have a collie, called Spud!
Theyre great because they require very little training as they are quite obediant compared to the springers (we have had those in the past too) and genrally have very good natures.
On the down side - they are very hairy - if you keep it indoors be prepared to get fluff over everything!!! Also theyre natural herding instinct can be a real pain as they can contantly be under your feet and have a thing for running around cars and machinary. They take up time in grooming and lots of walks because they nerver tire! But overal i would say they are about the same, or maby even less work than a springer, and unlike a springer, your collie will never run off on a walk, allthough be prepared to keep them occupied as when boredom sets in they will wander.
The best thing about them is they are obediant and easily trained, though maby a bit sneaky at times!! Overall less hard work than a springer spaniel, very friendly and like a busy environment

 
Sadly I do not have a bad word for collies!

I have know 20 plus workers & all have been fab & soppy, not a snap among them (with humans or dogs!) My friend has a worker & she also does fly ball with it, very versatile.

We have had 6 on our farm in my lifetime & friend he has had numerous on his farm all fab workers & soft as muck!

If I had the time I would love one but enough with my Labs! Haven't time for sheep work too!
 
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You are all totally useless!!! You are mean't to be telling me how awful collies are that he should stick to springers!!!
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I might be able to do that for a lab but springer!!...
They are practically the same!
 
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I might be able to do that for a lab but springer!!...
They are practically the same!

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LOL - perhaps I could teach the collie to retrieve birds anyway and just lose a bit of "street cred" when I take it picking up with me!!
 
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