I would like to get a border collie, I have a large home but a small yard..Is this a good idea?

Question

I do plan to take her/him for running. I am just concerned about such a small yard..Will this be a problem for the dog? Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Border Collies require a LOT of exercise (and preferably a job to do) or they can be insane to live with. We're talking at least two half-hour STRENUOUS runs or games of fetch, not a casual 3 mph walk around the block. Many Border Collies end up in the pound because people can't deal with their herding instincts and odd behavior (like guarding pots and pans!) You might want to consider an Australian Shepherd - they are very smart, but easier to live with than a Border Collie. The size of your yard isn't that important - no dog will get sufficient exercise out in a yard by itself.

Herding dogs are big on grab-and-go nipping - this has to be discouraged from the start. In addition to the daily exercise, you should be doing some obedience training at least 15 minutes every day - HEEL, SIT, STAY, DOWN, COME. If you're willing to spend some time with her, she could turn out to be the best dog you ever had.

When she's a year old, teach her flyball or some other neat dog games to take the edge off.

http://www.abtc.org/flyball.htm...

You can order these excellent books on Amazon.com for tips:

Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
What All Good Dogs Should Know - Volhard
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan

Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on tv.

Find a good breeder by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows. You can also find info about the breed clubs on the akc site - they have a rescue group where you can get an older dog for less money.

Whatever breed of puppy you decide on DON'T go to a pet shop or buy one off the internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. The breeding animals are kept in deplorable conditions. They probably haven't been vaccinated against contagious diseases or tested for any health or temperament problems or genetic diseases - that costs money and cuts into their profits. A female is often bred every time she comes into heat. When her poor little body can't take it any more, she is often clubbed in the head and tossed into a dumpster or an open ditch. Most puppy mills ship their pups to pet stores at wholesale prices and many pups die before they even get there. These "breeders" have figured out that they can use the internet to ship a dog directly to the customer and thus make more money by cutting out the middleman. If you buy a dog from out of state, good luck getting your money back if there's something wrong with the pup. These people count on you becoming instantly attached to the poor little guy and being willing to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars at the vet to treat whatever is wrong with him.

Answer 2

It depends TOTALLY on the dog. It's true border collies can be high energy dogs...but they can also adapt well IF you keep them busy. If you can't find a herding club, running will keep them exercised.
I have 7 border collies and a not-that-big yard right now (we used to live on a farm - I wont' dump my dogs because circumstances change). They're happy and healthy. Border collies ARE inventive about finding entertainment. They can, equally, learn to play inside to use up energy. Discipline and training is important. If you're willing to put in the time to learn about the breed, to take the time to TEACH them and do what you can to make sure they're happy by all means get a border collie. They're an awesome breed. If you want a dog to leave in the yard all day, go run and ignore the rest of the time the BC will be miserable and will make you miserable. They are NOT all hyper. They CAN learn to be mellow and behave but they are a high drive dog. I have 3 curled up at my feet now - content to be with me.
A good book to get "in the head" of a border collie is Nops Trials - it's a fictional book but gives a good indication and description of how a BCs mind works. They aren't "normal" dogs in many ways. They are obsessive - sometimes too much so. One of my mails is OBSESSED with cats - he'll watch, stare, try to get them to move (then stop), lay and STARE at them...to the point he'll trip over other stuff in his path. One smaller female will walk circles around stuff - a chair, cat, human or just walk circles. It's her little quirk. Most BCs have at least one such quirk. But they are HIGHLY trainable, very smart and need a mix of firm discipline and love. They'll give you their hearts and work until they're dragging.

Answer 3

I have a border collie--These dogs are #1 in intelligence. They'll adjust to a small yard. Bring out a ball (preferably a hard rubber one--they tend to bite into tennis balls and you can go through a dozen in a few days!!) or better yet, they love the frisbee. Our yard is small and when my "Blaze" wants to play, he keeps at me until we go out and when he sees that I have both the ball and frisbee, he always goes to the frisbee 1st. Caution though, my Blaze will not give up retrieving it--he'd go all night--if I'd let him. You only have to throw it once or maybe twice, before they get the idea of what to do. Blaze now jumps in the air to catch it, even if it's five feet up--all it took was, he did it the first time I hollered "CATCH IT." Now, when I toss it I say Catch It and he does.

Border Collies do become bored quickly when left to their own devices. I also have a flat lined retriever who is Blazes' constant companion. They love each other to pieces. Of course, our home is a total animal house--we also have a minature poodle, and two cats--and will take in any animal in need. I am a sucker for any dog or cat, babies or grown.

Blaze was given to someone who knew nothing about dogs--he thought all you had to do was love them and they would know everything on their own without being shown. He finally gave up, knew that I loved the little puppy--gave it to me and Blaze has been a treasure ever since. I read everything I could on Border Collies and although I know how great they are--there is a lot more to learn. My retriever was adopted through a puppy rescue shelter and is my great love and best protector I 've ever had--not even my husband can approach me without "Murphy" letting him know he is watching. Blaze is now 2 and Murphy is three. Our poodle is now 16 yrs. old, the only one left from our original 4. The cats (one Buramese [Chato], the other a tiger [Shasta]) both are inside cats only and were also rescued when tiny babies. We also have fish from time to time (the cats don't bother) everyone gets along great.

So is your small yard a problem---NO TAKE IT FROM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS. Exercise the dog(s) by walking in your neighborhood or closest park and playing fetch with them in your yard.. No Matter What, the Dog Will Love You Faithfully.

I realize this was more than you asked for--but a little background always helps. GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 4

Border Collies are so energetic, they're a lot of work. If you take him or her for a long run every day it shouldn't be too bad as long as you also let him/her outside to play and stuff. Have lots of toys for it and let it in the yard on a tie out cord or loose if you're able to, and it should be fine. It'll also need brushed often but I'm sure you know that already. I'd also like a border collie they're so pretty and smart... good luck!

Answer 5

NO unless you plan to run/walk the dog extensively daily. They are Very high energy dogs. They need lot's of work outs and play or they can be destructive. They are very smart, quick to learn and great pets. I got a aussie shep/collie mix from the pound and she is such a perfect dog! Maybe find a border collie mix. Border collies are great agility dogs and love to be out and running A LOT.

Answer 6

No! Border collies are high energy dogs and need to be able to run and have tasks to do. If you don't have sufficient space and sufficient time to devote to the dog, he or she will turn to destructive behaviors to satisfy the need for something to do. Many, many border collies wind up in rescue shelters because their owners were not prepared to handle such a high-demand dog. They are wonderful dogs, but please don't get one if you don't have open space for them to exercise or don't have time to devote to their training.

Peace,

Radical Geezer

Answer 7

The yard shouldn't be where the dog gets his exercise As long as you walk him a lot during the day. Like at least an hour every day he should be fine.

Answer 8

border collies are very smart and have alot of energy. If they get bored they will become escape artists, and find their own thing to do. They also will chase anything that will run from it. If you get one be prepared to spend alot of time exercising it

Answer 9

I don't see it as being a problem, as long as you take him/her out every single day (when it's not raining, of course) for a lengthy walk/run to get him/her lots of exercise. I would check your area for dog parks or other fenced in areas where you can let him/her run free, as well.

Answer 10

It should work out if you run with him/her, but you will have to be faithful.