how much exercise for a collie?

[jewel]

i'm thinking of getting a collie that i can take down the field with me as i keep scarying myself down there. would 45 minutes in the morning and the same again in the evening be enough exercise for a collie ( i would be down there more if it ever stops raining)

 

[Irishcobs]

Probably not. Our collies run all day and I mean all day. They have about 10 acres to run in from 7am to 7pm and they never stop. They are working dogs and are bred to move sheep all day long.

 

[jumbyjack]

Exercise isn't enough for a collie, they have to be doing something, when I walk mine I constantly work him, things like close then side, go behind, go in front, walk through my legs, etc. Anything to keep his mind working, a collie without a job then goes self employed and the results can be disasterous. Could you consider obedience or agility? Great dogs but need work.

 

[jewel]

i was going to also train the dog for agility as my mother in law does it with her, but i just what to make sure if the day to day exercise would be enough

 

[clipclop]

Mine used to run all day long and always be up to something.

Now she is 9 years old she likes to sleep a little more but she still runs and plays for at least half the day.

You're ust asking for problems if you get an energetic working dog and you can't give them loads of exercise.

People have always commented on how good our Collie is compared to others they know. If only they knew what she was like if we have a couple of lazy days!!! EEK!!

Are there any other breeds you like that might not cause you lots of stress. LOL.

 

[jewel]

PLEASE ALL READ TITLE HOW MUCH EXERCISE, NOT THAT IS ALL THE EXERCISE I WILL GIVE THE DOG IS THAT ENOUGH.

 

[clipclop]

OK, no need to shout. PMSL!!

Collie needs the option to run all day.

Howzat?

 

[clipclop]

Actually, no. I was being a dick!

I would say one would need at least 3 bloody good runs and day.

You will know if you aren't doing enough as you will have problems.

 

[Skhosu]

Get a lab, or maybe a great dane? ;D

 

[jewel]

i wanted a collie as i've found them loyal in the pass and good with children

 

[barnbrookaa]

My collie is totally opposite cant even get her outside on her own let alone working, she sleeps all day!!!

 

[spike123]

I just had my collie pts at 13 years old.Having had other collies before him I can say that they all need their minds constantly occupied or they can be a total nightmare.45 minutes either end of the day won't be enough if the rest of the time is spent indoors.They also have a natural instinct to round things up whether this is sheep,kids or horses so again they can be a pain around horses when you are trying to school them and the dogs think they should do their bit running around the horses heels.They are loyal dogs but they can be quite temperamental with kids especially when they get older. If you have a large and well fenced garden that the dog can run around in when you aren't out walking him then I say go for it,if not then please consider another breed.

 

[polaris]

I would strongly advise against a collie....Not all Great Danes are also lazy as this is a misconception with many giant breeds. Our Wolfhound is middle aged and does 4-5 (used to be more) hours a day with hard hunting at least twice and Gawd help you if you tried to cut it down!!!! A collie can do agility, tricks and run and run until the cows come home.

 

[Sooty]

Collies tend not to make great pets. They are bred predominantly as working dogs, but if you are determined to get one, try and get one from a show line rather than a working line. They are dogs which need constant stimulation, they need to work and be kept occupied. I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole as a pet, but then I like a dog that is happy to be a companion and to go through life at my pace, not drag me along at its own. There are many breeds that would be content with two 45 minute walks per day, which is more or less what our dog gets, especially at this time of year.

 

[Basset]

The main thing i have found with lots of collies is to keep the mind occupied, so with mine she has 3 15mins training a day, be it obediance or agility. You can run a collie all day, get home 10 minutes later they want to go again. but with mental training they have to concentrate so works they well. I would not reckomend a collie as a family dog as they can be sharp, depends on whether working stock or show stock.

 

[prose]

My aunt rescued a gorgeous sable border collie from the local RSPCA when he was two. My cousin could ride a bike for twenty miles, quite literally, with the dog trotting alongside, and he'd still be hyper when they got back. Now eight, he isn't as demanding where exercise is concerned, but he's a very needy dog, always begging for attention and is still rather nippy with hands that move suddenly

They impress me so much, but I couldn't imagine just having one as a pet.

 

[Tia]

My collies run around ALL day long. Even the old one is always outside wandering around the farm. They slow down once they get to about 10 years old.

I don't think collies are really dogs who should be "walked", they have to have a full-time purpose in life. Perhaps you could find a breed more suitable to your lifestyle? If you are adamant that you want a collie then it will need probably a number of walks every day and at least one of those should be 2 hours.

 

[milor]

Why not look at one of the other collie breeds - a Rough or Bearded Collie is not so demanding as a Border although you will need to keep on top of the grooming with both those breeds. If you don't want the coat, look at the Smooth Collie - lovely level headed intelligent dogs and much more 'laid back' than a Border Collie. You may have to wait a while for a pup though as they are not a commercial breed and most breeders will have a waiting list.

 

[1928sky]

We bought our border collies from a show breeder so they were not bred to work and as such have had most of the "bad" qualities bred out of them. The breeder said to us that if you walk them 10miles a day they will always want that so if you don't want to walk that far every day don't start doing it because its what everyone else says you should do. Ours are perfectly happy with half an hour walk a day and a quick football play in the garden every now and then. They are very loving and loyal dogs and ours are good with kids too and happily spend their time sleeping round the house when we do not have time to give them attention and lead happy and contented lives. We have two- 4 and 6 years old so not past their active days in any way.

 

[filly190]

Sounds like you have been shot down in flames a little on this post. I hear what you are saying, that is not all the exercise and activity the dog will get. Think about this, you wont be a bad owner or neglectful, loads of people get collies that are totally unsuitable for the breed. At least you are being realistic in what you can do with a potential dog and I do believe its how you bring them up. The more exercise, the more the want and need, it goes on.

I personally think you will be fine, you know the breed and feel comfortable with it and if you experience any problems I am sure you will be quite capable of handling them.

 

[jewel]

thank you filly for your nice post

 

[milor]

yep show collies are completely different from the working type - particularly the heavier New Zealand type - gorgeous looking dogs too

 

[TGM]

What about a collie cross? Often they have the loyalty and trainability of a collie without the manic need for activity. I have a lovely collie x lurcher who is very faithful, enjoys her walks yet does not fret if exercise is restricted. Similarly, my mother has a GSD x collie who has a similar temperament.

I must say I have known several people with border collies who have had to seek new homes for them, even when they were receiving two walks a day.