Border Collies

[iceman]

One of our friends has recommended Border Collies as a great family pet.
I had always heard that they need a lot of exercise and time and attention.
So maybe both these are true...but i wondered if anyone on this forum has experience with Border Collies?

[Bill Sikes]

Originally Posted by iceman

One of our friends has recommended Border Collies as a great family pet.
I had always heard that they need a lot of exercise and time and attention.
So maybe both these are true...but i wondered if anyone on this forum has experience with Border Collies?

I seem to remember seeing reference to border collies in the .sig of someone
who posts to this "forum". IME they are fine as pets, don't need vast amounts
of exercise, are intelligent, and not vicious. One pet in my youth was a dog
trained to work with cattle and sheep, who hadn't passed the test, being
a little too enthusiastic. If you flung an assortment of articles for him to bring
back, he'd drop them all in the same area, and circle them. One unfortunate
tendency was to get behind guests and try to herd them, too!

[Majuscule]

We've had Border Collie mix dogs for years. The current one is half border collie and half Australian Shepherd. He looks like a Bernese Mountain Dog but has a Border Collie personality with that keen eye and the urge to herd.

I would not recommend one for town living unless you can spend a lot of time with the animal in activities as well as companionship. They are way too intelligent and lively to just hang out wagging their tail. Our dog, Buck, has sheep and chickens to keep him entertained. When not at the barn working he loves to herd a broom when anyone tries to sweep. He's a great watch dog--not at all mean but large and loud enough to make a stranger come to a halt.

He's a gentle dog, but large for either a BC or AS. However he has been around my grandkids since they were just starting to walk and loves them dearly. The only problem has been that he might knock over an unsteady walker in his enthusiasm.

You can't find a more intelligent loving companion, it just isn't fair to keep one cooped up with nothing to do.

[Bill Sikes]

Originally Posted by Majuscule

it just isn't fair to keep one cooped up with nothing to do.

I don't think I'd keep any dog in an urban environment, unless it was a toy
(or miniature).

[Colinc]

Yes...all these points are true. They are loving dogs but do need your time and attention.

Ideally they are kept in the country where they can run free ...but watch out for sheep and cattle as they might chase them!

I should also say that we have found them to be very sensitive to "moods" and upsets. Loud noises and arguments do not make them happy.

[firefly]

Originally Posted by iceman

One of our friends has recommended Border Collies as a great family pet.
I had always heard that they need a lot of exercise and time and attention.
So maybe both these are true...but i wondered if anyone on this forum has experience with Border Collies?

A male border was the only dog I knew in my childhood. I am fortunate to have grown up with one. Our family raised horses, pigs, chickens and cattle on our
farm. Chummie was a reliable companion, a positive family member and a hard working cattle dog. My experience with one as I can remember was nothing
short of faithful and good natured with the strong will to please.
The dog of my choice next to the german shepherd. What can I say......I'd give this breed a 10.
JC

[capt_buzzard]

They make excellent sheep dogs

[minks]

my favorite dog ever was my border collie corgie cross... she was as smart as a whip, and fun, and a great pet for my daughters when they were very young. Shadow came before the kids so when each was born, shadow graciously accepted her place in the pecking order and was a grand companion to both girls for many years. Dogs do well in working homes as long as you set aside special play and social time for them. Generally the spend so much sleep time that it works out well. If you worry about your home then put them into a kennel in a room that won't get to hot or cold during the day and make sure it has soft light and put on a radio and they are fine. Again just make sure you spend quality time with them upon your return. All my dogs have been raised this way and all were lovely. Currently mind you my dog has run of the house along with my cat and they get along famously and have fun amusing each other. Both has their own space and both get individual time when I get back home.

[Der Wulf]

Yo Minks, here's hoping you clean out your cat box more often than you do your PM box

[valerie]

Originally Posted by iceman

One of our friends has recommended Border Collies as a great family pet.
I had always heard that they need a lot of exercise and time and attention.
So maybe both these are true...but i wondered if anyone on this forum has experience with Border Collies?

You heard right. Having said that, though, if you can give them something
to do things will go a lot better for you!

I take an almost-daily 5 mile walk. If I were to have a border collie, that
would satisfy some of the need for exercise, and I'd maybe throw in a
game of 2-ball for 30 minutes or so.

They are capable of "hanging out" when nothing is going on. They are
devoted to owners, and just want to be near.

My Dad was given a border collie pup at age 73 and my first thought
was that it wasn't a very smart thing to do, because of the dog's
needs. But boy, was I wrong. My Dad has an acre and a half of land,
and the perimeter is cyclone fenced, so this dog has all of that to run
and my retired Dad to follow around when he's doing chores!!
The obedience level is absolutely amazing... this dog has 100%
recall, even when there are squirrels to chase!! My very highly trained
gsd I don't think could do that. This dog does not wander off the
property because he obeys my Dad. Dad can leave the gate open
(with the neighbor across the road's peacocks strutting by) and this
dog will NOT go out.

I would not get one with the thought that you can leave it out in a
backyard for 8 to 10 hours a day while the family is at work and school.
Do that and you will likely cause boredom and resultant behavior
problems!!

Good luck whatever you decide and welcome to the board!!