border collies???

Question

Hi, Am getting a border collie puppy and want to know how much exercise they require as puppies, which type of food is best and how long they can be left alone at home for.

Answer 1

I have two border collies, age 11 and 4. I love them so much I don't think I would ever get another type of dog, but I have to be honest they are super energy dogs and you have to be prepared to it. These dogs will go absolutely all day long. They never get tired and they never want to stop. If you can consistently give them a couple of hours of hard exercise a day you will be a lot happier. Otherwise they will be bugging you to death.

For example, when the 4 year old was a pup I called her the devil puppy. She would be running around the house, looking for something to chew on, looking for someone to throw her a ball, rolling around, jumping all over me, literally all day long. I finally put her in some obedience classes and flyball to give her something to do and she did improve, however, the first year and a half I was exhausted.

I hope you have a crate for your dog because you are going to need it to get some sleep!! If you work, at least in the puppy stage, try to get home during lunch, or have a pet sitter take the puppy for a walk during the day. Also, schedule play time as soon as you get home from work.

On the positive side, they are so fun, so loving and so obedient, you will amazed every day!!.

I have mine on a very high quality private brand of dog food and they are very very healthy. I never have to go to the vet except for shots. It's called Flint River Ranch if you want to look it up.

Answer 2

I have a 10 year old Border Collie, he is a great dog, smart, loyal and a faithful companion for sure. This breed requires an enormous amount of excercise and attention, not to mention mental stimulation as well, Border Collies are thinkers and they need a job to do or they are very unhappy and will let you know.

I feed my dog Wellness Senior Dry food twice daily and he also gets a 1/3 of a can of Grammy's Pot Pie at each feeding. I would reasearch the premium brand foods such as Wellness, Canidae, Solid Gold, Innova, Natural Balance, these would be my choices. I would discuss your choice with your vet as well.

Good Luck with your pup.

Answer 3

At least you are asking before you get the dog. I never understand WHY people want the herding breed type of dog for a regular house dog. They live inside the house as they should, BUT they require massive amounts of exercise to be happy and balanced.

They really need to herd something or do agility training on a daily basis. Throw the frisbee for two hours a day and then go to the dog park and let him herd all the other dogs into a group.
Seriously they are not a fulfilled dog if they left alone all day and get a walk once or twice a day.

Please do your research BEFORE getting this breed of dog. Make sure the dog fits your lifestyle. I am a very inactive person. I wanted a small dog. If I had been attracted to a Jack Russell we would have parted ways about ten minutes after the dog came into my house. As a result of searching, I have two Maltese. They are as lazy as I am. They play really hard for ten minutes and then we have to take a nap and have a cookie...............See what I mean????????????????????????

Answer 4

Make sure you know what you are getting into border collies are a lot of work they are meant to be working animals so they require allot of exercise as well and mental stimulation because they are so smart. My collie wasn't happy playing fetch with one ball she had to have three to herd them. As a puppy I couldn't leave my collie inside alone for more then a half hour with out her destroying something. Be careful if you have children the natural herding instinct can cause really danger.

Answer 5

Exercise and border collies
Get some sheep border collies are HIGH activity dogs who are working dogs and do best when they have a job to do and what they do best is herd things. ANYTHING will work but sheep are the prefered. They will herd ducks and children and what ever you have.
They take a lot of exercise and are independant thinkers. They need an owner with a very active lifestyle to keep them busy and happy.

Answer 6

First off, great choice :-)
I have a 6 yr old golden retriever, and a 4 yr old border collie.

As for exercise - my border collie is a lot more active than my golden retriever. She loves to play frisbee....that is her favorite activity.

Type of food - I'm not sure about..it is usually the owners preference....but you can consult your vet as to which would be the best for your pup.

How long can they be left alone for? Depends on the dog. We can leave ours for hours... but we usually don't let them be for that long because my household is busy.

One thing about border collies - since they are herding dogs, they will try to herd things. For example, our border collie when she was little, tried to herd our feet....

We also had to be careful about little kids for some reason, she would try to herd them.... a little nudge/nip here and there - but that just might be my dog.

Good luck!

Answer 7

properly I own 2 of those 3. And jointly as they are comparable they have some huge variations. I wouldnt recomend border collies until eventually you're into exterior activities, like strolling, and hiking. or you have an pastime in stepping right into a canines game including rally-o, obediance, flyball, agility, discing, freestyle, etc. they are the main extreme power of the three. They dont kneed livestock or a great backyard yet you will could do something to maintain them busy. Bored border collies are no longer relaxing to stay with, and its a disgrace to waste that techniques anyhow:) they have a medium coat, fairly common to look after as long as you sweep it a pair circumstances a week. they are additionally medium length 19-21 inches tall, around 40lbs. They dont continuously do properly with young ones and cats through their tendency to herd. Collies are lively, yet on normally happening require much less workout than the border collies. you're able to remember, jointly as they are all herding breeds, collies and shelties are used as extensively speaking pets now and it does practice in the way they behave in yet in a distinctive way. Collies are huge canines, jointly as women human beings are smaller than men usually, there is not any assure. Mine exchange into 28`inches tall and 80 5 pounds. They require you to have a solid understanding of grooming, or maybe a properly groomed collie will go away hair around. It`s no longer as undesirable as you are able to anticipate however. a visit to a groomers as quickly as a month and combing some circumstances a week at homestead with help. as far as temperment, they have the superb of any breed i understand of. This needless to say has plenty to do with how they are socialized and experienced aswell. in maximum circumstances they are friendly, get alongside with infants or maybe small animals. the two breeds make impressive watch and shield canines like a number of herding breeds. you already understand approximately shelties:)

Answer 8

Minimum of two 45 minute walks a day, Nutro Natural Choice Lanb and Rice, They are the smartest breed, so they notice right away that you left so crate training is advisable. But for a puppy the rule is the can hold their bladder for as many hours as they are months old.....example 3 months=3 hours......

Answer 9

Lots of body & mind exercies......make sure you know what your getting into........... They are great animal.... if you spend alot of time with them...............