Tell me about border collies for a pet home

[Titchy Reindeer]

I have a border collie although think he might have a bit of greyhound in him ?. He is reactive too most things but Mainly other dogs, So have to walk him in the early morning. But he is the most lovable, sweetest dog at home, wouldn't hurt a fly. I would get another. Only gets walked once a day for 1hr - 2hrs but has a large garden and there is always someone at home.

He sounds lovely. My current dog is reactive to dogs he doesn't know, but improving all the time and actually really good with dogs he knows.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Totally agree with Moobli, depends completely on the individual animal, and easier to gauge in an adult animal although you can get an idea observing pups if you note behaviour, line history etc. We successfully rehome some of our older collies before they get too knackered working, into private homes of people we know and in every situation it's worked very well for owners and dogs, which adapt very quickly to their new lives. And they come back to us on the farm for free care and kennelling when new owners want holidays. Win/win all round.

Sounds like you've got a brilliant arrangement for your older dogs (and their new owners!). We're low on sheep in my area and I don't think there are many people actually working border collies (or any sheep dogs) around here.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I grew up with collies as mum bred, trained and competed them.

My relations are all farmers so we got a few non-KC working pups from them. I don't know the technical terms but mum competed the working dogs at high level Working Trials and tracking.

She also had and bred show collies.

TBH all of the collies were so well trained that there wasn't a difference between her show and working dogs. The working bred ones were a lot sharper and quicker to learn (& guard us as kids).

She had lots of collie owning friends and there was a marked difference between those working and show dogs.

They are definitely dogs that need a job. Just exercise isn't enough, they need to have something that engages their brain.

When I was walking my dog I've met two couples who've taken in rescue working collies and their homes have been destroyed. Walking 3x a day isn't enough for a dog like that. I've worked beside people who've taken on working lines dogs too and it hasn't gone well because they don't know how to train beyond basic obedience at puppy classes.

So yeah I think that they are brilliant dogs but need the right home and a job.

I'm trying to think now about the show only dogs that others had. Iirc they all did a fair bit of obedience too just to keep their brains ticking over.

In all the dogs (well b'tches) that mum had I think there were only two that were chewers that did some real damage to furniture. That's another thing a lot of them seem prone to do.

Having said all that if you're managing a malinois a collie should be much easier!

Thanks for your answer. There is a border collier type at the riding school, he can run and roam as much as he wants, but has little to no training and is as mad as a box of frogs and to be honest a bit of a nuissance at times. I love him, but would like my own dog to be more balanced and settled if I can manage it and would certainly do my best to make it work. I have a neighbour who told me their two border collies were easy, but they never come out of the yard, throw themselves at the fence and one climbs on the roof at night! Same, I would like to offer a better life than that to any dog I would have.
I won't tell monster that you said another dog would be easier than him, he'll sulk! Though I have been jokingly threatening to swap him for a poodle when he misbehaves. That's mainly to wind my dad up, because apparently poodles aren't "manly" enough for him. Nor are samoyeds. Go figure...

 

[P3LH]

I’ve a friend who’s family have had show bred ones since we were kids, these are really suitable for a happy go lucky, up for anything, bright companion type dog. Very different to their working cousins, not in personality or train ability etc still a border collie but, generally, with much less drive ergo much more straightforward to live with.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Based purely on my on experience, which is minimal with collies but I know a lot of spaniels - I think a cocker would be easier as a pet. I'm sure there'll be some people who disagree but FWIW that's my opinion (although as TPO says if you already have a malinois you must be pretty switched on to the needs of intelligent high energy dogs!)

Thanks, will look more into spaniels as well then. My monster is a malinois cross, not sure with what, but I do think it's taken some of the edge off the malinois drive... most the time.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I’ve a friend who’s family have had show bred ones since we were kids, these are really suitable for a happy go lucky, up for anything, bright companion type dog. Very different to their working cousins, not in personality or train ability etc still a border collie but, generally, with much less drive ergo much more straightforward to live with.

They sound perfect!

 

[twiggy2]

Every one is different, we have working collies and have had workers that we have retired to pet homes and some that really wouldn't cope in a house, some are really sharp and some are not, all of ours love to cuddle up though and only one is a little shy of people.
Some are more driven to work and others not, some are noise sensitive and we have one that was a car chaser when she came, since working more she has stopped doing it.
Many of ours are related and all the related ones are raised by us but still the temperaments vary widely.
I would also recommend an older pup or dog as you will have more idea on sharpness/reactivity which I think is potentially more of an issue than the drive for work.

 

[TPO]

Thanks for your answer. There is a border collier type at the riding school, he can run and roam as much as he wants, but has little to no training and is as mad as a box of frogs and to be honest a bit of a nuissance at times. I love him, but would like my own dog to be more balanced and settled if I can manage it and would certainly do my best to make it work. I have a neighbour who told me their two border collies were easy, but they never come out of the yard, throw themselves at the fence and one climbs on the roof at night! Same, I would like to offer a better life than that to any dog I would have.















I won't tell monster that you said another dog would be easier than him, he'll sulk! Though I have been jokingly threatening to swap him for a poodle when he misbehaves. That's mainly to wind my dad up, because apparently poodles aren't "manly" enough for him. Nor are samoyeds. Go figure...

Ha ha sorry, no offence meant! Just malinous are firmly in my "way above my skill level" for me but I think I could have a collie and keep us both alive ha ha







All of mum's dogs were fine with us from toddler age up. When we were under 10 (maybe 6 or 7) we were allowed to the park with friends and without adults if we took a dog. It was usually always the working bred bearskin dog she had. The dog walked at heel and was friendly with other kids and adults whilst still keeping an eye on us. So with the right training most dogs are suitable for most things.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Every one is different, we have working collies and have had workers that we have retired to pet homes and some that really wouldn't cope in a house, some are really sharp and some are not, all of ours love to cuddle up though and only one is a little shy of people.
Some are more driven to work and others not, some are noise sensitive and we have one that was a car chaser when she came, since working more she has stopped doing it.
Many of ours are related and all the related ones are raised by us but still the temperaments vary widely.
I would also recommend an older pup or dog as you will have more idea on sharpness/reactivity which I think is potentially more of an issue than the drive for work.

Thank you, it seems to be the consensus that it can work, but depends a lot on the individual.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Keeping the gate closed is not that hard and I'm already on it with my current dog. !

You wouldn't think so! These days all our gates are locked, so no accidents can happen.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Ha ha sorry, no offence meant! Just malinous are firmly in my "way above my skill level" for me but I think I could have a collie and keep us both alive ha ha.

No offense taken. To be honest, malinois are probably out of my league as well. I definitely "overdogged" myself not helped by covid hitting 2 months after I got him. But we're getting there and I love him to pieces and I'm pretty sure he loves me back if the way he looks at me is anything to go on.

 

[irishdraft]

I have had a few border collies and presently have siblings from farm working collie parents. Mine do not work but live on a small holding, the bitch does like to be out & about all day doing stuff but her brother loves his 2 x daily walk and that's it for the day very happy to sleep for the rest of the day. So all dogs are different but do your research on the dogs family and also border collies in general would b my advice.

 

[Hepsibah]

I miss my collie. I got her from an ad in the paper, free. I had 3 older kids at the time and she was an excellent family dog. Obviously a farm bred girl, possibly a runaway. We bought sheep for her to herd and they pleased her but she was happy to give eye to any small animal: cat, dog, water trough (when her eyesight deteriorated).
We had her for 12 years and she was a joy. I'd say go for it.

 

[sportsmansB]

I have 2 collies- a smooth coat / short hair and a longer haired more border type
Both are rescues so I'm not sure on their actual heritage. .
I wouldn't ever have another breed now, they are simply the smartest, kindest funniest little personalities.
They are very happy with routine, and mine do come to the stables and run about and I have a big garden too. They need play as well as exercise- mine have funny little roles they play during games of fetch which only they understand really. I can trust them with the horses and weirdly they don't seem to be interested in sheep etc.
The female is simply the most affectionate, sweet kind girl - shes the only dog I've ever had that I would 100% trust with kids.
The (neutered) male is different, he was a lockdown pup and ended up in a rescue because he was too much, and I think it has had more of an impact on him than her neglect which just made her grateful for everything.
Neither of them would run away from home though he would go on adventures (and always come back) if he got the chance. She is never more than 6 feet from me.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I have had a few border collies and presently have siblings from farm working collie parents. Mine do not work but live on a small holding, the bitch does like to be out & about all day doing stuff but her brother loves his 2 x daily walk and that's it for the day very happy to sleep for the rest of the day. So all dogs are different but do your research on the dogs family and also border collies in general would b my advice.

Thanks, that seems to be the way to go. I have plenty of time to think and inform myself before I'm ready for another dog.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I miss my collie. I got her from an ad in the paper, free. I had 3 older kids at the time and she was an excellent family dog. Obviously a farm bred girl, possibly a runaway. We bought sheep for her to herd and they pleased her but she was happy to give eye to any small animal: cat, dog, water trough (when her eyesight deteriorated).
We had her for 12 years and she was a joy. I'd say go for it.

She sounds like she was lovely as well as being a good looking dog. I understand why you miss her. Her position on the sofa photo is exactly what my dog does. He's always upside down!
I'd rather not have to get sheep to keep the dog happy, but maybe they could round up chickens? (not got the chickens yet either!)

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I have 2 collies- a smooth coat / short hair and a longer haired more border type
Both are rescues so I'm not sure on their actual heritage. .
I wouldn't ever have another breed now, they are simply the smartest, kindest funniest little personalities.
They are very happy with routine, and mine do come to the stables and run about and I have a big garden too. They need play as well as exercise- mine have funny little roles they play during games of fetch which only they understand really. I can trust them with the horses and weirdly they don't seem to be interested in sheep etc.
The female is simply the most affectionate, sweet kind girl - shes the only dog I've ever had that I would 100% trust with kids.
The (neutered) male is different, he was a lockdown pup and ended up in a rescue because he was too much, and I think it has had more of an impact on him than her neglect which just made her grateful for everything.
Neither of them would run away from home though he would go on adventures (and always come back) if he got the chance. She is never more than 6 feet from me.

They sound brilliant.

 

[Moobli]

She sounds like she was lovely as well as being a good looking dog. I understand why you miss her. Her position on the sofa photo is exactly what my dog does. He's always upside down!
I'd rather not have to get sheep to keep the dog happy, but maybe they could round up chickens? (not got the chickens yet either!)

Or runner ducks, which flock together much like sheep.

 

[paddy555]

I've had several. My last 2 bitches were especially nice. The penultimate one was a failed sheep dog. She had to work, she belonged to a shepherd, she was scared of sheep so he gave her to me and she was the most lovely pet. We live surrounded by sheep so it was great that she wasn't going to go near any of them.
The last one came as a pup. She also turned out to be terrified of sheep and cows. That was great, when she was mature we just opened the door and let her go. She came back after an hour and we could be totally sure she hadn't caused any trouble, she just wandered out on our own land.
The worst thing about her was that she came from a farm and genetically inherited everything from her parents. Tractor chasing which was more enjoyable if she could do it under the front wheels, jumping in water. Any water and she laid full length in it. Not good for a house dog.
We took her back to see her breeders and there were all their sheepdogs, either waiting for the tractor to move or sitting, en masse, in the water trough.
She also herded me which was exasperating. She was always behind me going from side to side keeping me moving.

My neighbour, townies, moved in and got one. In the end I had to get border collier rescue to take it. It couldn't cope unless it was going to spend all day running around the fells getting exhausted and neither could they. Hopefully it got a nice home but it was never going to be either a pet or an obedience dog.

Unlike other breeds there seem to be so many differences in BC's and what they are suitable for as others have said.

 

[Connemara24]

He sounds lovely. My current dog is reactive to dogs he doesn't know, but improving all the time and actually really good with dogs he knows.

Thank you he is a lovely boy. Yeah he is exactly the same fine with dogs he knows as have a golden retriever aswell.

 

[Burnttoast]

I know a few in pet homes that have done really well, most from working lines. My friend's current boy was a handful when young so she and he learned to work sheep together, which gave him the necessary brain work. Now he's older he's much more settled. The others have just had normal active lives and although one was quite sensitive (noise mostly) they all are/were chilled and well adjusted. But they have committed owners and I can see how it can all go wrong in the wrong hands.

 

[TheresaW]

We have two. Bo is a failed worker, but the herding instinct is strong in him. I can’t have him around the horses as he just locks on to them. He’s fine when we see horses out and about though. He’s lead reactive, but off lead, fine with all dogs we meet, wary of people, but will sit with me until they pass by. He will chase bikes, takes no notice of traffic.

Ellie is 13, came to us when her previous owner died about 18 months ago. She takes no notice of other dogs, people, anything when out and about. She’s not so happy at home with our huskies. In hindsight, she should have gone to an only dog home, or been pts when her owner died, but we are working with her at home as best we can.

 

[whirlwind]

We’ve got 4, they all work to some degree but live in the house as pets. 2 are your typical collie, will go all day and still be up for it, the other 2 are quite happy with a walk around, play with the ball a bit and go either to the horses or check the sheep round home so really dependant on the dog. One rehome I haven’t had very long, she was booked on a one way trip to the vets last month as apparently anxious and neurotic to the point where they couldn’t cope but tbh although she is a bit sharp has got better and better just in the last couple of weeks by getting enough stimulation, living with the others who all shut up and lay down when they come in and having some boundaries which previous owners did not! I’m waiting for the round pen to be fixed so I can start properly training her to work as think she might be a bit too nippy if let loose from what she’s been like on a lead round them ?

 

[On the Hoof]

Well I have BC and I wouldnt have another. She is 3.5 years old and I have had her from a pup. I wanted one as I am (was) outside all day, at livery yard, on allotment and walking and checking access routes for horse riders and so I thought the breed would be ideal for me and I was prepared to do additional stuff like agility or whatever in case being out with me all day was not enough. Trouble was my dog is severely anxious and nervous, extremely sensitive to noise and movement (behaviourist said off the scale even for a BC....); she chases birds , is afraid of the horses and reacts to everything when in a new environment.

Mine has definitely been a challenge, even though I thought I knew what I was in for he is a completely different dog to my previous collie. Previous collie would hack out for miles, excellent recall, didn’t chase cars and was genetically quite a strong nerved dog but sharp with people and would bite strangers if given the opportunity. Current collie has a very strong drive to control movement but only if it is alive or mechanical (birds in flight, airplanes, cars, other dogs, horses but no toy drive at all) I had dreams of hacks out with my horses but I don’t trust him near them at all and he is never ever allowed off lead near them, or out on walks, which is completely the opposite to what I thought collie life would be. He is also extremely noise sensitive and goes nuts around wheelie bins, power tools, even my electric toothbrush. He’s quite an anxious dog and doesn’t like being left alone. All of this has improved over the years, and would probably be even better if I had more time, but I do have to be very ‘present’ with him otherwise he goes self employed. He also feeds off my emotions so if I am stressed or anxious he is too. What percentage of this is me being useless at training such a challenging dog (when we got him I had a severe neurological illness which I am sure had a big impact on him) and what is genetics and his early life as a puppy I don’t know. Having said all that, he is a wonderful companion, will take as long or as short a walk as I want and still be excellent in the house, sleeps all day whilst I work. He’s very friendly and cuddly, good with my cats, fairly quiet unless reacting to loud noises. Never chewed anything he shouldn’t (but doesn’t chew things in general which means keeping teeth and gums heathy is tricky.

Would I get another? I don’t know, I think I would be able to take all the learning from this one and do better. I don’t think any other dog matches them aesthetically (not for me) but a part time job is a good way of describing it!

I think you just wrote my post for me BBP except mine is no good with cats at all !

 

[tda]

Mine has definitely been a challenge, even though I thought I knew what I was in for he is a completely different dog to my previous collie. Previous collie would hack out for miles, excellent recall, didn’t chase cars and was genetically quite a strong nerved dog but sharp with people and would bite strangers if given the opportunity. Current collie has a very strong drive to control movement but only if it is alive or mechanical (birds in flight, airplanes, cars, other dogs, horses but no toy drive at all) I had dreams of hacks out with my horses but I don’t trust him near them at all and he is never ever allowed off lead near them, or out on walks, which is completely the opposite to what I thought collie life would be. He is also extremely noise sensitive and goes nuts around wheelie bins, power tools, even my electric toothbrush. He’s quite an anxious dog and doesn’t like being left alone. All of this has improved over the years, and would probably be even better if I had more time, but I do have to be very ‘present’ with him otherwise he goes self employed. He also feeds off my emotions so if I am stressed or anxious he is too. What percentage of this is me being useless at training such a challenging dog (when we got him I had a severe neurological illness which I am sure had a big impact on him) and what is genetics and his early life as a puppy I don’t know. Having said all that, he is a wonderful companion, will take as long or as short a walk as I want and still be excellent in the house, sleeps all day whilst I work. He’s very friendly and cuddly, good with my cats, fairly quiet unless reacting to loud noises. Never chewed anything he shouldn’t (but doesn’t chew things in general which means keeping teeth and gums heathy is tricky.

Would I get another? I don’t know, I think I would be able to take all the learning from this one and do better. I don’t think any other dog matches them aesthetically (not for me) but a part time job is a good way of describing it!

Similar for my experience, my mum got one, we warned against, but even tho she didn't go for walks with the dog, dog got good outdoor time and became ball obsessed so easy to control
Another friend got a border collie and it is so, so sensitive, very reactive to wheels, noises etc they can't even take it for a walk .

 

[BBP]

Similar for my experience, my mum got one, we warned against, but even tho she didn't go for walks with the dog, dog got good outdoor time and became ball obsessed so easy to control
Another friend got a border collie and it is so, so sensitive, very reactive to wheels, noises etc they can't even take it for a walk .

Mine is 5 now and it’s probably only in the last 18 months that we have made real progress with the car stalking. He can’t always keep walking as they come past, but he doesn’t tend to lunge or pull towards them anymore. Breaking the habit of flattening to the floor was the key, as soon as I managed to transfer into a ‘sit’ that isn’t part of the stalk and chase pattern, things improved a lot.

I think my biggest problem is that is isn’t really an easy dog to hand across to anyone. I know all of his sensitivities and avoid or work around them and manage/train them. But they are still right there near the surface. So for someone else, he might lunge at a car, or pull towards it, so I can’t ask others to walk him. I don’t do loud jobs in the house with him around (although thank goodness he doesn’t mind the robot hoover!) but if he stays with someone else they don’t think about it. He stayed with a dog sitter once as a puppy and they tried to do the ironing with him in the room and he jumped up at tried to grab the iron when it hissed. I tried to get help with the chase drive by going to a well known sheepdog trainer and he decided to try to tackle the noise sensitivity by running a power tool in one hand and choking my dog on a check chain in the other. I have never forgiven myself for not protecting my dog and I now don’t trust anyone else with him. My partner, who is the one who wanted a dog, left us, so it’s just me and the dog now.

So it is quite isolating.

BUT!

I adore my dog. He has the kindest most amazing soul. And I would rather spend every day just me and him, and juggling my time between him and my horses and work, than have any other dog, or never have had him at all. He’s my best friend.

 

[BBP]

You’ve worked wonders with him. You carried on when many would have just given up. Imagine all that knowledge and experience he’s given you for your next dog

GSD and border collie ownership is a lifestyle. It is definitely a part time job, and sometimes a full time job.

That is so kind of you to say. It’s probably the one thing that makes we want to cry more often than anything else is thinking that I haven’t given him as good a life as he deserves. If I had protected him from being attacked, trained him to be better with my horses, taught him a better recall, he would have so much of a better life. I feel guilty a lot for failing him. And now I’m crying about it just writing this.

 

[Mynstrel]

We have 2 borders, a border x kelpie and wocker, all of them farm/working bred. They are full time family pets, part time agility dogs and dedicated couch ornaments. The big thing with all working breeds is they have to have an off switch, either through nature or taught. Once they know the difference between work and chill time life is a lot easier. Yes they like to be doing and need tiring mentally rather than physically but equally if it's a duvet day they'll take that too. If you can handle a Mali x a collie is well within you.

 

[Moobli]

That is so kind of you to say. It’s probably the one thing that makes we want to cry more often than anything else is thinking that I haven’t given him as good a life as he deserves. If I had protected him from being attacked, trained him to be better with my horses, taught him a better recall, he would have so much of a better life. I feel guilty a lot for failing him. And now I’m crying about it just writing this.

But you’re wrong! You have given him a wonderful life, despite all his issues and idiosyncrasies. Sh*t happens in life and we can’t protect our dogs from everything. You’ve gone over an above for him.

 

[satinbaze]

One thing to be very aware of in border collies is epilepsy. Some lines are much more prone to it than others. I have friends who have had epileptic collies and it was very stressful for both dog and owner. Both dogs eventually went into status epilepticus and had to be pts. Please research lines very carefully. In the UK there is a fitting database