Are dogs often like their parents?

Question

I've paid my next door neighbours for a puppy that I'm going to get when it's old enough to be away from it's mother. It's a border collie and it looks cute at the moment, but every time I look in to the neighbours garden I see it's parents barking madly and running around crazily, and generally being disruptive. Will my little puppy grow up like that?

Please note that my next door neighbours have a lot of pets, and I feel that their animals don't get the love they need.

All this information has been very useful. I'm likely to be taking my new dog to the park as much as possible, as the park is but a very short walk away (I can see it when I come out of my front foor). I'll take into account everything that has been said. There are three other able adults in my family, so even if I don't have a chance to walk it, then someone will be able to. I'll make sure it gets lots of exercise (all my family are very aware that this is important). Thanks a lot x

Answer 1

Yes, they are like their parents---that is the whole point of breeding dogs. Dogs are bred to create other dogs that are like THEM.

Purebred dogs should produce puppies that are physically and tempermentally similar to their parents.

That is why it is so important to meet a pup's parents and get an idea of what they are like. You can have two dogs of the same breed with different levels of drive and energy ----but two dogs from the same parents should be pretty similar.

That's not to say that every litter turns out little identical dogs---there is a range of energy levels, drive, etc----just that you should be expecting something close to the parents.

BTW A border collie needs a job and a lot of exercise and training or they go bonkers. How much energy and time can you realistically spend with this pup?

FROM the NE Border Collie rescue site:
QUOTE:
Do Border Collies really make good pets?
Many Border Collies have difficulty adjusting to life as a pet. They need attention and activity. Because sheepdogs are bred to work as a team with a shepherd, they are human oriented. They do not do well in a household where they are left alone for long hours of the day. In this type of situation they often get into trouble trying to keep themselves from getting bored. They chew furniture, tear off wallpaper, dig holes in gardens, chase cars and paper boys, chase and nip children. Tied up for long periods without human contact, or left in a yard where they can see but not participate in human activity, they may bark incessantly or exhibit other unacceptable behaviors. Those that are very sensitive may not take to strangers or correction well, or may be very shy. Border Collies with strong herding instincts may exhibit what some might consider bizarre behavior: circling, staring at objects for long periods of time, trembling when excited, appearing to stalk small animals, other dogs, and small children, and so forth.

On the plus side, Border Collies are intelligent dogs, often great "characters" who will entertain their owners from morning to night. They are very trainable and can be taught to do a great many things. Their sensitive nature can make them loyal and loving. In an active and involved home, Border Collies can make excellent companions, and are the true "interactive" pet - requiring their humans to be a part of their games and indeed their daily life.

Is a Border Collie for you?
Many people are now considering a Border Collie as a potential new pet, thanks to their increasing visibility in the media and the growing popularity of dog sports. However as a general rule, Border Collies are not a good pet for a typical pet owner. Please be sure you know what you are getting into before you buy or adopt a Border Collie. Please read about the breed BEFORE you get one as a pet. If after you read about the breed, you decide that a Border Collie is the right dog for you, please consider rescuing a Border Collie in need of a good home.

END QUOTE
http://www.nebcr.org/Border_Collie.html

Answer 2

Dogs have tendancies to be like their parents. The longer they are with them, the longer the become like them. However, this does not mean that they cannot be trained to act the way that you want them to.

All dogs can be trained. Some will take a little more time, but again, all dogs can be trained.

Now being disruptive to one person is not the same as what is disruptive to another. My point in saying this is that you mentioned that it is a border collie. Border collies are high energy dogs. They need a job to do, and they are very playful. You need to keep this in mind if you do not want a dog that likes to run around a lot and have fun.

Answer 3

Border Collies are generally very energetic, it may be calmer being away from other dogs but I dont think it will matter that much. As the dog gets older then it will gradually calm even more. I would take the dog. A lively dog is better than a dog that sleeps most of the day. It just depends if you have the energy to keep up with the dog and also plenty of walks.

Answer 4

Yes- to an extent. Your dog will have inherited some obvious traits related to it's breed. Collies are extremely clever and that is what they are used on farms. If you stimulate them by giving them 'things to do', then they will not 'be mad' or disruptive. Running around the garden is just pack behaviour and self entertainment. Collies do really well with training and 'fly-training' and it is a whole new social club for you. They are amazing creatures and absolutely stunning, but you will have to put in the work and attention if you want to give it a good life. Also, how will you dog behave with his family in the next door garden? Maybe you should look labradors instead?

Answer 5

One of the reasons people began breeding purebred dogs was to keep the characteristics of the parents so that the puppies would be able to do a particular job of work. If puppies weren't like their parents, you might as well mate a Labrador to a Samoyed! Temperament is partly inherited and partly acquired, if the parents, particularly the mother, is nervy & shy, the pups will be nervy & shy, if she's bold & outgoing, the chances are that the pups will be too. Your neighbours dogs sound like typical Border Collies who don't have enough to do.

Answer 6

Yes puppies are often like their parents.

If the puppy comes from active, energetic parents, then you should consider getting one of the more quiet pups. If he comes from docile, shy parents then you should consider getting one of the more outgoing of the pups. You want a happy medium instead of an extreme.

You should go over and be with the pups, let them have lots of human contact, have them ride in cars, hear noises, etc. That kind of socialization is tremendously important and some breeders simply do not do that.

You can get an idea of their personalities early on and pick a friendly, outgoing but relatively calm puppy for your own. Border collies are working dogs, highly energetic and in need of an outlet for their drive. They can be highly destructive and even become aggressive if not provided lots of training and exercise.

You should consider a sport like agility or flyball or even frisbee throwing for your puppy. He will need something to occupy his mind and energy or he will end up fence fighting his parents and causing endless ruckus.

Answer 7

Personality and temperament are inherited...to a degree.

I raised AKC purebreds for conformation for about 25 years and it was very fascinating! I saw certain specific traits (referring to above, not talking about looks) run through generations...and sometimes skipping 2 or 3 generations!

It is a bit more complex than just "if the parents are, the offspring will be."

I believe the "tendancies" are there...but how you raise the puppy often over rides these tendancies

Another part, is how long the pups are with the mother....they DO learn how to act, or react, from their mother, or the pack.

BCs ARE very, very active dogs.......physically and mentally. And they are very, very bright. Can be very easy to train, if you know what you are doing, or very difficult to train if you don't!

It is good that you see what the pup "could become" ....so you understand how important your job as owner and trainer is.

I would greatly recommend you do some quick research into training before you get your puppy! Plan on training classes too, to teach you how to be the effective trainer for your puppy...to socialize your puppy....

...teach puppy to "settle down" when needed....and LOTS of play, exercise, and think of games and tricks

Answer 8

Border Collies are very high energy working dogs. They need a job to do otherwise they become very obnoxious and destructive. As long as you take you dog on long walks/runs (when it is old enough), play fetch, and do other things to keep it active it will be fine. Did you know that Border Collies are ranked the most intelligent breed of dog? Definitely invest the time and effort into training. Border Collies also love and excel at Agility and Flyball.

Answer 9

When you consider a dog as a pet, you must look into the temperment of the breed. This ensures your dog will fit in well with your lifestyle. Border Collies are herders by instinct. I would imagine they're high energy and require a good patch of land to run around and be themselves. Training is key, begin when he's young and be consistant.

Answer 10

#1. Welcome to the world of the Border Collie. That's what Border Collies do when they don't get enough exercise and have a job...run around like crazy and cause havoc.

If you're going to own a BC, you need to be prepared to give it plenty of exercise and train it to DO something. If you do these things, no, it won't behave like its parents seem to.

#2. It's not about getting enough "love", it's about getting enough exercise and training.

#3. Yes, puppies can inherit the personalities and traits of their parents. This is especially evident in purebreds, where traits are specifically bred for. I have a male who acts just like his father -- from the tilt of his head when you talk to him, to the goofy-boy exuberance. He didn't learn this by watching his dad...he isn't even aware of who his dad is. It's pure genetics and one of the best things about purebreds. Predictability.

Be prepared for a Border Collie. That's the best advice I can give you.