Anyone with border collies?

Question

We are considering getting one of these wonderful dogs. But I hear of HORROR stories,anybody got some good ones to tell?
We are excited to be getting one but want to know more about their personalities through your experiences

Answer 1

I have owned, trained and rescued Border Collies for 9 years. I compete in agility, obedience, rally and do some herding. These dogs are not typical family pets, as they were bred to work and have the need to be stimulated both mentally and physically. They have very strong herding drive and can become quite neurotic when not given an outlet for this drive. Most of the rescues I have done are because people got them because they are smart, but the people had no idea what they were getting into. These dogs are typically 8-18 months old and are being destructive, or at worst, are becoming aggressive because this is the "job" they have given themselves. They require experienced owners. Owning a Border Collie is a lifestyle. You will need to have a job for the dog and I don't mean keeping the kids in the yard. You will need to do agility, flyball, herding, obedience or other dog sports on a regular basis. They are amazing dogs if in the right environment. If after researching the breed, you still want a Border Collie, please do consider a rescue. There are too many out there, bought by well meaning people that just weren't up for owning such a high maintenence dog. Please think about what will best fit into your situation and make sure it will be fair to the dog and to you. I can tell you more horror stories than you can imagine, so do your research.
Keep in mind, they will herd, they will need lots of stimulation. These are not 3 walks a day, play some ball, hang out in the yard kind of dogs.
Good luck!

Answer 2

I do not own one, but i work at a vet clinic, and we see quite a few of them. We see some really good well behaved ones, and these are the ones who have a job. The ones who are in agility or some other kind of activity. The people who get border collies as a house pet and want them to be a couch potato are the people who tell the horror stories. They are very smart and high energy dogs, Not meant for apartment life or to be a couch potato. If a border collie is not entertained by physical activity of some kind, it will entertain itself in a 'destructive' way. They make GREAT pets if they get the exercises and stimulation they need.

Answer 3

my sister has a border collie. rescued it from the animal shelter about 10 years ago! She is a nice dog, my sister does not believe in tying a dog up (she lives on a 86 acre farm). She never wanders off. She is a little bit more protective of the family than a normal dog would be.She has never bit anybody, but I know she would if the need arises.My sister has people going in and out of driveway all the time and she has never bothered any of them. She gets along with all the farm animals and other dogs,too. I Dont know what horror stories you have heard, but this dog is nice! Make sure you have the room or time for your border collie to burn A LOT of energy off!!! My sisters dog rounds the cows up and brings them up to the barn. You may have problems with this type of dog if you just plan on just letting it run around the back yard. They need a job to do to feel useful. It is their nature.

Answer 4

I have an 11 year old male Border Collie, he is the most intelligent, obedient, loyal dog that I will probably ever have in this lifetime. Please know that your dog will need lots of excercise with you (not just outside on his own), lots of long walks, the breed is bred to be able to cover many many miles in a day, he will need a job whether it be agility, flyball, frisbee or herding, he will need something to do or he will become very destructive or neurotic looking for things to do. He is a natural born herder so if you have kids or cats he will try and herd them too. The breed is loyal to their family and somewhat stand offish to strangers. This is not a couch potatoe, no I don't want to go out in the rain kind of a dog, these are serious dogs.

I wish you luck and many happy years with your new dog. God Bless.

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Answer 5

A typical BC is too much dog for a regular pet owner. BC's excel at agility, herding, flyball, and other active dog sports, and thus require a lot of time for training and activity. If you don't have the time or resources to provide the stimulation a BC needs to thrive, you'll sadly be contributing to the horror stories. I've put a link to a BD rescue site below where you can get more info. They are wonderful dogs, but they are not for everyone. It's wise of you to ask before taking the plunge!

Answer 6

I found a Stray Border Collie, stopped him from getting on the free-way. And he was the best dog I've ever had. We didn't know anything about his history, but we didn't need to. He came into the house (with 3 cats) and got along with them beautifully, didn't have one aggressive bone. He would put his collar in his mouth anytime he had to go potty and waited by the door. Slept at the foot of my bed, loved everybody but would let you know of strangers...just perfect.

Except for the fence jumping. These dogs are highly intelligent and need lots of attention and room to roam, along with teaching them what their boundaries are. All dogs will vary, but the border collie is a natural herder and protector of the "pack" and will be a very loyal companion.

There are a lot of border collie rescue groups, and shelters full of them. So I hope you're also able to rescue one of these amazing dogs.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

I have a chow chow/ border collie mix (aka Chowder Collie) named Ryleigh. She is very high energy. I take her for a mile walk twice a day, and she still has lots of energy to burn. I'm going to look into getting her one of those vests that you can put weights in (to help her burn more energy). She is very loving and a lot of fun. Ryleigh does try to herd people, especially when she wants to play. I have just warned visitors about the behavior and it has never been a problem. We're working on getting her to stop ...but with it being an instinct we'll have to see.

As someone said above not a dog for a couch potato!

Answer 8

Well, take a good long look at your home right now. Maybe even take a picture!
My well intentioned sister went ahead and got one. Named her new friend Doctor.
She thought he needed a friend, along comes Jacob.
He needed more than a friend......LOTS of exercise.
At least 1 hr a day. Her children were being herded(nipping to get point across) toys became his. Drop of grease on rug turned into a 4' hole in the carpet. Taught the soon to be 100lb mongrel named Jacob into his willing accomplice. All the while making you fall in love with The Doctor of Destruction. Don't worry if you have plans of training and exercising. They absolutely have to have a job. Otherwise they bore easily and are smart enough to over run the average dog owner. I would suggest reading a couple of books. If you can find one in the (no offence) " For Dummies" book series it would help out greatly. I had one called Pit Bulls for dummies and it helped me greatly with my old friend Chevy. If you are prepared...enjoy a very lively, loyal, obedient friend who would go the end of earth and back for you. P.S. Doc is a wonderful dog after she discovered the benefits of training and exercising. Very sweet and nurturing.

Answer 9

I don't know what horror stories you've heard, but they are wonderful dogs. They love and need lots of exercise. Border Collies are working dogs, not lay around the house lap dogs. A friend of mine does dog agility and herding with hers and the dog loves it and she's wonderful.

Answer 10

my oldest daughter has border collies. She trained hers and did show. and that was the smartest dog l have ever seen. and the things she taught that dog was unbelievable. So l do not know what you heard but the dogs my daughter has, are just great. l like the way they were all so loyal to her.