Border Collie

Many people buy or adopt Border Collies because they like the idea that they are intelligent, often mistaking that they will be easy to train. This is not true.

I own a Collie x Springer, and as a dog walker and trainer I have worked with a lot of Border Collies. What I see a lot are people who have bought Collies for a 'fun', 'easy to train' dog. Little did they know that Collies need an incredible amount of exercise every day, a ton of daily mental stimulation, and lots of positive, force free training.

Collies are a herding breed. They means a lot of Collies will chase kids, other dogs, joggers, cars and livestock unless trained to do an alternate behaviour. They are often mouthy, and have a tendency to jump and grab clothing. Most are extremely energetic, and need upwards of two hours intense exercise every day of the year. They get bored easily, so it's a good idea to provide chew toys, stuffed Kongs, puzzle feeders and work on training daily.

Many Collies are reactive and neurotic, socialisation needs to be positive and extensive around strangers, children and other dogs. They love having jobs to do, whether that be herding sheep or helping carry washing to the machine.

Border Collies are not bad dogs at all, they are one of my favourite breeds. However not everyone can handle a Collie, especially an energetic or timid one. In an average family home with little training or exercise, Collies become bored, anxious and destructive.

My fiancée and I purchased our first home around 2 years ago and decided to get a dog. My family had always owned miniature dachshunds and she had a border collie when she was younger. We both love dogs and she convinced me to get a border collie puppy. We both thought we knew what we were getting ourselves in to by researching/previous dog experience but we really had no idea.

Our border collie's name is Violet and she is now around 1.5 years old. These dogs are definitely only for people who are willing to commit at least 2 hours a day, everyday of your life, to dog related activities and bonding.

A border collie can be the best dog you will ever own if you are the right type of person. No dog is as intelligent and demands as much attention. They will become an active and alert member of your family and will want to be involved in every aspect of your daily life.

My life has completely changed since we got Violet. Unlike other breeds that are happy to stay home and around the house, border collies are always wanting to play and work and will only tire after hours and hours of sprinting, swimming, jumping, chasing etc.

I have always kept fit playing sports and exercising 3-4 time a week but nothing could prepare me for the amount of extra hours of activity I would need to put in on top of this to be a good collie owner. There is no more sleeping in a little on weekends as I am unceremoniously woken once it gets past about 7:30 as Violet knows it is morning park time and has been eagerly waiting outside my window since 6:30 and is telling me I have slept long enough.

We try to ensure she gets at least one hour of activity before work and in the afternoon she can sprint around chasing the frisbee non stop for 2 + hours until its dark easily if we choose to stay at the park that long.

This amount of exercise can really drain you after a while and this really needs to be considered before choosing a border collie. They get bored very easily and will turn destructive if not given enough attention and physical stimulation. Once they get in a routine they will not forget it and know when it is their walk/park time. My fiancée works from home as a beauty therapist and Violet patiently waits outside occasionally looking into the window in the afternoon while keeping an eye on the time. She knows when it is 4:30 almost to the minute and when there is a rare day a client starts taking up her walk time she will start to protest with rude barks and digging. We have some fine gravel between some pavers and a retaining wall. She rarely causes any destruction in the yard but this gravel has been dug out about 15 times. The same spot every time and only ever when she thinks she will miss out on going out that afternoon. It is very annoying and she knows it, but we can't help but laugh at her response to what she feels is a terrible injustice.

Border collies love swimming and being around water. She goes crazy with the hose, snapping at it closer and closer until it is spraying straight into her mouth. I have seen other border collies react like this as well.

When you go anywhere if there is water she will always want to lie down in it. At the park we go to there is a very large, muddy basin of water that is permanently there and fills up every time it rains. She has been to this park nearly everyday for over a year and has lay in this mud at least 5 times each day for that year. It seems like it is in her instincts to want to be in water and get filthy in this stinking mud and has become a joke amongst the other owners. At first I thought she may just be too hot and trying to cool down but she goes in there whether it is hot or too cold for me to feel my hands. She really does not seem to feel the cold at all. If you want a clean dog that you can have inside most of the time, a border collie is not for you!

They are all action when out and about and would rather be chasing a ball than being fussed over. But at home we have found Violet to be the most affectionate and loving dog we could have ever asked for. They are very licky. She is always so excited to see us first thing in the morning and when I get home from work. Border Collies have such soulful eyes and seem to understand what you are thinking at all times. They are very eager to do and learn new things and are always happy to earn approval form their owner. When they know your routine they will anticipate what is about to happen on certain days of the week. There are so many funny and quirky behaviours that we love to observe and laugh at and we can't imagine life without our border collie anymore. If I had known how much work it was going to be before we got her I would have probably reconsidered but now we have her it's hard to think back to before she came into our lives.

Some closing points to consider before deciding on a border collie:

- You must be the type of person that considers your dog a member of the family unconditionally and want an athletic life companion with an insatiable appetite for exercise.

- You must be able to commit to at least 2 hours per day of activities with your dog and be willing to adjust your life around this.

- You must have a very secure yard as we have learned. Border Collies are amazing at finding ways to escape.

- You must want a dog that is always aware and analysing all your movements and whereabouts.

- You must be able to accept that your dog will actively seek out mud and water and love getting dirty.

- You must be ready for an extremely demanding dog that will expect excitement and attention every day. They will also get annoyed when they don't get their own way.

Please consider these very carefully as many dogs end up in the pound because people are not prepared for this or think their dog will be an exception. For those who are prepared for all that border collie ownership entails you will have the most loving, funny, athletic and loyal friend you could ask for.

BC's can be either the worst dog you ever owned or the best. It depends on how much time you have to put into them. That's why I call them the advanced dog owner breed. If you get a puppy the first two years are critical. They must be exercised, socialized, and trained at something that challenges their cunning minds. And this requires many hours of each day 7 days a week. If you 're getting your first BC I highly recommend getting a female. They tend to be a bit less jacked up and more compliant than the males. BC's were bred not just to be herders but constant companion to their lonely shepherd and hence they demand an intense relationship with their masters. They really need to be kept with you 24/7/365. Other than in the normal course of crate training, you can't expect the BC to stay in a crate all day without suffering psychological damage. BC's are so willing to please that they can't handle any type of negative reinforcement in their training. I've seen BC's ruined by literally one rough correction and turned into a shy, shrinking, dog that wets every time they are approached. They must never be given physical correction and sometimes even harsh words will effect them for weeks or months. Mentally they must be handled with kid gloves. It's call soft temperament and BC's are as soft as they come in this area. On the other hand, if you're looking for the dog of a lifetime and willing to put the time and effort into them you will have the most amazing dog and friend you've ever known. The rapidity with which they learn will shock you and you will see intelligent traits in them that no other dog possesses. Exercise is key. When I'm starting a pup, I get up at daylight and take him on a 2-3 hour hike/run and that bleeds off his excess energy making him much more pleasant to be around the rest of the day. I can't emphasize enough how many hours a day you will need to exercise your BC during his first two years! And he will need frequent, almost daily, off leash runs away from cars and other danger. I never cease to be in awe of how fast and long this breed can work and run! I've never had a BC that showed an iota of aggression towards humans. However when they're young and not getting enough exercise they can be overly exuberant and do their fair share of nipping. If possible, raising them with an older, balanced, well trained dog can take a lot of pressure off you as trainer. I find this key to teaching them to be calm while riding in a car as they're quick to follow an older dog's lead. I raised my first BC with a laid back female black lab and I'm positive she was instrumental in making him the calm, laid-back BC he became. BC's are long lived so all the time you put into them is well deserved. It's not unusual for a BC to live upwards of 15 and do so in relatively good health. BC's require only a small bit of grooming depending on what type of coat your BC has. Brushing them for a few minutes 3 times a week has been more than adequate for the ones I have owned. The BC retains the silhouette, eyes, and crouching stalk of the wolf and your BC will get tons of compliments on his appearance. He's a very handsome dog with the most intelligent eyes that just draws people to him. If you're looking for an amazing canine companion and have the ability to invest lots of hours in them, the BC will be the best dog you'll ever own.

Border collies have been bred for years, originated as sheep rounders they are playfull and need a garden. They are smart and brave and very sociable and friendly

Absolutely the perfect dog!!!! I have my own and she is the best, obedient, loyal, dog friendly dog. Good with all people. Doesn't bark at strangers at the door. Good with all our other pets. Very trainable and very loving.

i have had a border collie girl that was beaten up as a stray dog and brought her into my house she was my best friend for 16 years we never left each others side....I since took a while to get another collie and as an interverted person and a single mum of two gilrs 9 years later I was ready to get another collie for my kid was getting older brought a collie from a puppy mill and brought her for $350 and reported them and kept her for 2 years after my new born baby was born i say another pup in a pet shop that had been there for 3mnths they were ready to take him to the pound I paid $875 for him couldnt leave him here we had a connection go figure i would find one at a pet shop but had to save him...since they have been brought up with my kids and they are so protective of her and are so loved and inside most of the day I can not tell you how much these dogs love kids and grow up to be with them that they protect them as long as you run them everyday ....they now have a beautiful life on sunshine beach and train them on the beach everyday....its all about what you can give back tell you to watch ceaser mailan he taught me how to train my pups with out the expence and its worked now I take bodie my older girl 4 years old to the old peoples home to do tricks for them and the girl guides in noosa....yeah the need lots of excersise but thats what comes with there amazing personality to train so easy and love you....up to you what you put into it....just love your collie thats all a dog could ever ask for and to be a part of your family every day even when your cooking or cleaning they just want to be with you for collies need constant talking to and know they are there....I am happy I have given to collies a beautiful life ....if you dont excersise them you will be looking for trouble rainy days give them chews to keep them mind occupied or buy a $10 bubble blower they love it keeps their mind active....and releases a lot of energy collies need that to be submisive but they are very protective of younger kids if they are brought up with them they end up being your childs best friend love love love hugs hugs and in your family life and they are happy! they are amazing dogs I live a breath the love of border collies and I am 42 never forget the love mine gave me and the constant love they give me and my daughter of 9 years old to this day they are truley amazing dogs love again is all they need and to teach them new tricks always!

Border Collies are THE most intelligent of all dog breeds. Because of this they are the easiest to train. However, a word of caution here, they also learn bad habits very quickly, so it's imperative that you know what you're doing. You must be committed to this breed as they are no good if your ideal dog is one that will lay on the settee all day never wanting to go for long walks. You would be better off with a Greyhound for that.

This breed really needs to be kept occupied at all times, after all they are a working breed making a great herding dog. When I had mine, he certainly liked to be on the go all day long which kept me extremely fit too.

Border collies make absolutely wonderful pets. They are definately not for owners who want a dog but don't want to train or play with them as they are incredibly inteligent and NEED to be doing something. I have trained mine from day one - she only toilets in a certain place (an easy to clean patch of yard 3feet square - never on the lawn, there are areas in the garden she is not allowed on but I only have to tell her once that it's 'not allowed' and she never does goes or touches anything that she's 'not allowed.'She has over 40 toys which she knows each individual name. She is quiet in the house ... oh, the list goes on and on. Lucy is my second border collie and I would never have any other breed - they are amazing, intelligent, loyal and amusing. So all in all with a good owner who is prepared to spend the time and effort to train they are fantastic, but put them with a lazy owner who doesn't spend any time training them and they become destructive, snappy and bored.

I always said I would have a border collie when the kids had left home, so we had a lovely little puppy, and called her Jesse. She is now 6 months old, and I can say that she is with-out any doubt the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Both my wife and I love her to bits and she does everything we ask of her and more, she is very intelligent, loyal, and fits in well in our house knowing exactly her place,

I walk her regularly, and am training her to be well behaved with good manors, she starts training classes shortly, and I hope to take her to agility training when she is ready.

I believe that these dogs can fit into any household, but you must have the time for them, respect there breed, walk/exercise regularly and train/learn them to be good members of society, and you will have a fantastic pet and friend for life.

Best wishes to all new and old Border collie owners

Terry

Dudley

West Midlands

Two weeks ago we took on a rescue tri colour collie from a dogs home; she is 9 months old and totally gorgeous. Never thought about a collie before until we found her (previous dog was Newfoundland) but being well prepared for all the exercise entailed was a help. They are highly intelligent and she has picked up on lots of commands already. Being slightly timid at first she has now relaxed and is very loving. Having said that I would not recommend to anyone who does little exercise or who is not willing to play all day long. As soon as she's had a (short) sleep she's raring to go. Not one for town dwellers - we are surrounded by fields and public footpaths.