Family dog?

Question

Is a rough collie a good family dog? Does it have any special needs?

If not, what other breeds would you suggest for a family?

I'm sorry, but people seem to think that I haven't researched them. I have, and very extensively, too. I would just like some advice. Maybe I wasn't very clear about what I was asking. If I wasn't, I'm sorry. I was just asking if they are good family dogs. Do they get along with small animals? What breed gets along with rabbits in particular? I would like to know that.

Thank you!

Jim San Antonio- Thank you very much for your kind answer. All of you helped. I am trying to pick best answer but I have to wait for 4 hours before I do it. I know who I am going to pick for best, and I think that he deserves it.

Thanks again!

Answer 1

Almost any dog would be good for a family, the breed or mix depends on many factors, your lifestyle, age and amount of kids, if your family has many people(guests/friends) coming in and out, how much grooming you want to do and how much shedding you can stand as opposed to pro grooming costs, watchdog needs, activity levels, exercise requirements..etc.. Collie, like most herding breeds, tend to bark alot esp at movement, herd kids into tight places and nip at heels. Rough collies need a lot of grooming. They have problems with their noses sunburning and are sensitive to several drugs. Most herding breeds need lots of exercise as do hunting breeds. Poodles are great family dog but need pro grooming and exercise. Labs are great but need exercise. I've known many Miniature Pinschers that LOVED kids but most are noisy at strangers coming and going. MinPins can take all the exercise you dish out. There are several sites that you can pick your variables and they suggest a breed for you. All breeds need obed. training, socialization and exercise plus neutering keeps them from trying to take over and marking the house and humping the kids. Rough housing with any breed is not a good thing as it teachs the dog to pit its strength against yours. Tossing a ball is one of the best ways to exercise the dog. I've owned several breeds, Gsds, Dobes, Rotties, 1 Lab, Toy Poodles, MinPins and fostered several more, Aussies, Chihuahuas, Gsds, MinPins and Weims. I socialize my dogs and fosters/rescues with kids and although I've owned a few MinPins that were too small for toddlers they were fine with well behaved kids. Kids need to be watched when with the dog. Larger breeds such as Labs can knock a toddler over so it is always a compromise as to which breed and which dog. There are oddball dogs in every breed such as Labs that will not swim or fetch, Pekes that do fetch and toy poodles that loved swimming. So just picking a breed does not insure it will be like the "normal" dog for that breed. Go to a reputable breeder who titles dogs on both ends, does all health checks and has the OFA papers to prove it and has a guarantee that insures the dog will be taken back in it's lifetime if you need to place it. Or find a good rescue, most of the people are knowledgeable about the dogs they fosters.

Answer 2

You've got some really good answers here. Especially I like ginbarks' answer. He deserves best answer so far. Do your research and figure out how much time you have to be witht the dog everyday. To have a normal well-trained companion, expect to spend about 90 minutes a day. 45 in the morning and then in the evening. If you have kids, this will help a lot.

Labrador retrievers are great family dogs. They don't usually bark a lot, are not agressive and are very easily trained. And they love kids and like being around the family. Even though they are large dogs, they are indoor dogs. It is cruel to keep it outside away from the family.

Like ginbark says, be sure you go to a good breeder. You can be pretty sure that your getting a quality animal that will bypass the negatives of the breed (like hip displacement and other possible health issues). Though they do shed like crazy and the breeder can't help this negative aspect. You just have to put up with a lot hair.

Though sometimes going to an animal rescue is a good way too. There the dog is older so you don't have to housetrain it its lived with a family who can tell you exactly it good and bad points. They will be honest because they want to find a permanent home for the rescue animal.

Answer 3

Rough Collie's are beautiful dogs, they can be high maintenance where you need to brush daily, plus bring to a groomer every two months.They are hyper dogs, so ensure to exercise daily with long walks, otherwise they get bored , bark alot and become destructive.However they are great with kids, and tell you when someone is at the door, they love to be by your feet or on the couch.

I would suggest a Golden Retriever for a family pet.

Answer 4

You really need to do a lot more research:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com

A Rough Collie can be a wonderful dog for the right family.

Answer 5

Collies are active. If you have the time and energy then they are great dogs. Rough collies are beautiful and do train easily. But they are active dogs. It would be unfair to get one if you don't have the time to keep it busy.

Answer 6

yes they are good dogs for a family if you are what is needed.they are a herding dog, they have long hair that mats and needs to be brushed on a daily basis.
please do research on teh collie.
Each breed has certain things to watchfor

Answer 7

Shetland Sheepdog. The sweetest dog ever!

Answer 8

Yes it is a good as a family dog, but other good family dogs are Terriers.

Answer 9

Cockinese????? Never heard of that one earlier than, however... you can't inform what it is going to be like due to the fact this can be a crossbreed. You simply ought to placed a few additional attempt into coaching it to be obviously well. :)

Answer 10

I agree with Jim San Antonio,but I also have to say GERMAN SHPHERDS ARE ALSO GREAT DOGS FOR BEING AROUND KIDS AND RABBITS,I HAVE 2 SHEPHERDS AND THEY ARE GREAT WITH MY KIDS AND MY 2 CATS.SHEPHERDS WILL ALSO BE VERY PROTECTIVE OF YOUR KIDS AS WELL.