Border Collie, Brittany, Red Heeler. whats the best for a new puppy owner

[Laurelin]

If you're interested in shelties, definitely read this thread first: http://chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82916

They're great dogs but have a lot of qualities that make them unsuitable for a lot of people.

[bubbatd]

Why not a Golden ....much more laid back that any setter .

[Lilavati]

Is the OP still reading this thread?

[OutlineACDs]

I'm going to go against the grain here. If you and your family just LOVE one of those breeds for more than just looks then do some research and go for it. Heelers (ACD's) and border collies are common in most shelters and pounds across the country. You can search your local pound or search on petfinder for any of those breeds. DO YOUR RESEARCH. Know what you are getting into.

I'm sure this board would have told me, whe I was 10 and got my first ACD mix that it wouldn't be a good match. BEST family dog we have ever had. I trained her and worked with her constantly. I wanted an ACD and I got an ACD (mix) but she's ACD through and through. I love the breed, but I will tell you. If you are truly interested in them, meet a few. They are a love em or leave em type breed. When I meet people they either say "I had an ACD and I loved that dog so much." or "I had one and hated it, we had to rehome him." You have to have a certain personality to love this breed. They ARE NOT for everyone.

They DO make good family dogs. In fact, my two youngest dogs were never really exposed to children, but they LOVE them. Both of them are super gentle with babies and love younger kids. This breed is active. I would not put them in the 'hyper' category unless you allow the dog to rule your life and become bossy and neurotic. With two parents and three teenage (or almost) kids I think the dog will have enough love to go around. If everyone takes a part in his/her life there is no reason to think y'all wouldn't be able to handle it. Be consistent. Crate train.

If I had crate trained my first dog it would have saved a lot of furniture. That's the one thing I regret not doing with my first ACD. Good luck, but like I said, DO YOUR RESEARCH.

[Lizmo]

Originally Posted by SmexyPibble

But Border Collie's are more likely not to want to romp with you guys. And in my experience they don't play. They fetch the ball, bring it back, crouch down and get intense, and wait for the throw again. He'd probably be more interesting in herding you rather than playing with you. There ARE exceptions, though. Shelter dogs are usually quite different from the bred-for-what-they-were-bred-for dogs. We had Merle for a little while; a short-haired black and white Border collie who was wonderful. She loved playing on the trampolein, running, romping, etc. But your best bet of getting one of these BCs is from the pound.

Whoa...Hold on there. That is definitely not true. I'm actually ANGRY at this post. This couldn't be FURTHER from the truth.

Border Collies make very good family dogs. Border Collies WANT to be with "there" people. If you look at Border Collies and there owners, they are one. Most BCs go everywhere with there owners -or atleast want to. They want so desprately to please there owner.

Yes, they take alot of work, training, and exercise. But it's not any different than any other dog. Yes, they are more "intense" then most other normal family pets, but that doesn't mean they dont make great family dogs. I've actually had an EASIER time training Blaze than Lizzie because he picks up on everything so much faster.

Shelter dogs are usually quite different from the bred-for-what-they-were-bred-for dogs. We had Merle for a little while; a short-haired black and white Border collie who was wonderful. She loved playing on the trampolein, running, romping, etc. But your best bet of getting one of these BCs is from the pound.

This makes my blood boil. Please, if you don't know much about the breed, don't go around saying stuff like this. Why would breeders dogs be that much different if WORKING BORDER COLLIE breeders are breeding for the temperment of a dog who wants to work as a team with the handler?! Yes, shelter dogs are different than a breeders dogs. But that doesn't mean they don't generally have the same temperment.

And I'm going to go against everyone else and say, yes, if you (OP) will do your homework, research breeders, the breed, talk to Border Collies owners, then yes I think if you still think you would like one, thenp persue getting one. Whether it be from shelter or breeder.

Heeler, I'm almost 16, too. I have 2 Border Collies and they are great for me and my personality. I'm a family of 6 with 4 dogs. They get along with the other dogs and people in the family. If you could give me a little more informal about what you'd like to do with this dog, that would be great. If you get a Border Collie, I definitely suggest getting into a sport with him/her. I currently am doing herding with my second BC, Blaze. That is definitely something to look into doing with your BC, if you decided on that breed. Also, I've seen in Blaze what looks like the making of a good Dock Diving Dog.

If you would like any information about the breed, please PM and I will be happy to talk with you about the breed.

[OutlineACDs]

Also I just wanted to add, my family has had goldens since before I was born. We also have had our fair share of shelter mixes. I still stand by the ACD as being a wonderful family dog. The goldens were wonderfully patient and calm, but the ACD's definitely have an additional something that, to me, makes them superior. I never feel unsafe when I travel because of my ACD's They are not vicious or mean, they are an aloof breed though. Very accepting of the familiar and somewhat wary of the unfamiliar.

Like I said, go with your heart and do your research.

[Dekka]

No idea if the OP is even still reading...

But I got the impression this would be their fist pup ever maybe even first dog. I love BC and think they make great family pets with the right families. But I don't think they make good first dogs for busy families.

[Suzzie]

Originally Posted by OutlineACDs

Heelers (ACD's) and border collies are common in most shelters and pounds across the country.

And there's a very good reason for that, so why recommend they get one for their first dog?

i absolutely cannot agree with you at all - an ACD, in particular a purebred, will require a firm and consistent owner who is willing to extensively socialize the breed, as well as devote plenty of time every single day to exercise - which does not include merely running around their "fenced in backyard." I also don't believe ACDs are the best choice for kids, either.

And besides that, these people have clearly never heard an ACD bark

[SmexyPibble]

No need to be angry. I wrote that post from my own experience with them. And I also wrote that there are Border collies who love to romp with their owners. But they are happiest working for their owners. From my OWN experience...

Originally Posted by Lizmo

Whoa...Hold on there. That is definitely not true. I'm actually ANGRY at this post. This couldn't be FURTHER from the truth.

Border Collies make very good family dogs. Border Collies WANT to be with "there" people. If you look at Border Collies and there owners, they are one. Most BCs go everywhere with there owners -or atleast want to. They want so desprately to please there owner.

Yes, they take alot of work, training, and exercise. But it's not any different than any other dog. Yes, they are more "intense" then most other normal family pets, but that doesn't mean they dont make great family dogs. I've actually had an EASIER time training Blaze than Lizzie because he picks up on everything so much faster.



This makes my blood boil. Please, if you don't know much about the breed, don't go around saying stuff like this. Why would breeders dogs be that much different if WORKING BORDER COLLIE breeders are breeding for the temperment of a dog who wants to work as a team with the handler?! Yes, shelter dogs are different than a breeders dogs. But that doesn't mean they don't generally have the same temperment.

And I'm going to go against everyone else and say, yes, if you (OP) will do your homework, research breeders, the breed, talk to Border Collies owners, then yes I think if you still think you would like one, thenp persue getting one. Whether it be from shelter or breeder.

Heeler, I'm almost 16, too. I have 2 Border Collies and they are great for me and my personality. I'm a family of 6 with 4 dogs. They get along with the other dogs and people in the family. If you could give me a little more informal about what you'd like to do with this dog, that would be great. If you get a Border Collie, I definitely suggest getting into a sport with him/her. I currently am doing herding with my second BC, Blaze. That is definitely something to look into doing with your BC, if you decided on that breed. Also, I've seen in Blaze what looks like the making of a good Dock Diving Dog.

If you would like any information about the breed, please PM and I will be happy to talk with you about the breed.

[Lizmo]

Originally Posted by OutlineACDs
Heelers (ACD's) and border collies are common in most shelters and pounds across the country.

Where did you get that? That may be true for your area, but here I have never seen more than two BC -or mixs- in our HS.

If you don't mind me asking, Smexy, how many Border Collies have you worked with?