Border collies not good pets?

[Gempress]

I saw an interesting show on Animal Planet the other day that featured a border collie rescue. The man who ran the rescue retrained all the border collies as herding/working dogs, then adopted them out to ranches, farmers, law enforcement agencies, etc.

They were not adopted as housepets. The guy believes that border collies are extremely intelligent with an instinctive need to work, and need jobs to be happy. He said that's why so many pet border collies develop behavior problems and are given up to rescue, and that border collies are not really suited to being housepets.

What do you think? Right or wrong? I've never owned a border collie, so I wouldn't know.

 

[nedim]

I think they can make terrific pets with enough mental stimulation.

 

[Puppy]

i think they need like nedim said alot of mental stimulation, and alot of exercise.otherwise they make great family pets.

 

[filarotten]

When my son was little I had a border collie. She was a wonderful dog. She would play football and basketball with him. And she was extremely smart. She was the only dog I never had to potty train. She just chose to go to the bathroom outside. We did have to keep her active though. She could get bored easy. But she loved to play. And she was a good watchdog.

 

[Athe]

There are extremes in behavior conformation with Border Collies. A good working border collie and most border collies sold as pets have enhanced drives and selected by breeding motor patterns which are extreme. I once heard of a border collie getting caught in the eye stalk motor pattern. Too many people get border collies that don't have the enhanced eye stalk etc. (not every border collie is the greatest herding dog). They tell others that "thier" border collie was no problem at all...then you have people getting these dogs and getting frustrated with them due to "behavior problems"...when in fact these problems for a household are what make them extremely good working dogs.
If a person is into agility and knows how to properly stimulate and work with a border collie they can be a great pet. The secret is, to have work for the dog and teach the dog to clap on command. I know of one fella who has border collies which he does agility with, he uses many whistle tones to get his dogs to clap etc. it's amazing to watch these dogs stop in mid predatory sequence.
In my area in rescue there are more border collies than any other breed...oh, except Lab's...people get these dogs as they are "cute" and don't do thier research. We also have many clients who are getting fed up with their border collies...very sad.
There are also some people who have used border collies as mushers. They have done fantastic as sled dogs. Also, many Alaskan Huskies have a lot of border collie in them as a base to their breeding stock.

 

[Melissa_W]

Well, it's just my opinion here, but I think that border collies can make great pets for some people. If you want to spend a lot of time working with your dog, giving it exercise, if you want to do agility or obedience or any other dog sport, I think things will work out great. But if you want a dog that will just lay around, and be content with a couple 10 minute walks a day and a pat on the head, a border collie is not for you.

I really want to get a border collie, but I am waiting until I graduate college, so that I will have enough time to devote to it.

 

[RD]

I saw an interesting show on Animal Planet the other day that featured a border collie rescue. The man who ran the rescue retrained all the border collies as herding/working dogs, then adopted them out to ranches, farmers, law enforcement agencies, etc.

They were not adopted as housepets. The guy believes that border collies are extremely intelligent with an instinctive need to work, and need jobs to be happy. He said that's why so many pet border collies develop behavior problems and are given up to rescue, and that border collies are not really suited to being housepets.

What do you think? Right or wrong? I've never owned a border collie, so I wouldn't know.

He is partially correct.
First of all: A Border Collie will never be as good at being a housepet as a Shih Tzu would. They did not originate as companions, their specialty is not to be a mellow lap dog. They are VERY intense dogs and definitely not suited to the average household.
HOWEVER, a dedicated dog owner can easily live with a Border Collie in a studio apartment. They need, even more than a good hard run, to work with their handler. This isn't restricted only to herding, my BC is perfectly content to practice heelwork in the house for 15 minutes or so, a couple of times a day. They are intense dogs, but they are not uncontrollable by any means.

Second of all: Border Collies are not pets, they are partners. A BC that is treated as a housepet (Spoiled, never worked, catered to, and talked down to) will be a seriously confused dog. They don't react well to things like that. My BC works -with- me, not for me. I'm his boss, but I'm also his co-worker. Make sense?


Edited to add: I will probably be living in a small apartment with at least two BCs in the next 4-5 years. If I'm still in touch with you guys then (I hope I will be, I want to be talking to you all by the time I graduate from college.) I will let you know just how hard/easy it is to keep BCs in an apartment.

 

[BigDog2191]

Interesting question.

Border Collie's, for me, would be too much. I don't think I would be the right owner of a Border Collie for a couple of reasons.

1) The amount of exercise- first of all, I don't think my BODY could take that much! ... so the vigorous exercise is a little too much for me.

2) Like Nedim said, they need mental stimulation. For a Border Collie, obedience training 10 minutes a day isn't going to cut it.

I think, if the owner is VERY experienced in dealing with large herding dogs, dedicated, and has a job to give the Border Collie-- sure they can make great pets.

Otherwise, I don't believe they're for the average owner.

I'm very content with my German shepherd and I pretty much plan on having German shepherds my whole life cause of Rocky- he IS satisfied with a run outside and playing some ball inside-- and then chewin' on a bone for a while. He doesn't necessarily have a JOB per se, but I believe he takes it upon himself to guard the house.

I mean, everytime we leave either my dad or I says, "Watch the house"- and he does!

And then I also have obedience training to help with the mental stimulation. So it's all good for me with German shepherds (especially with my breeder's help! )

In my opinion,

Border Collies are like German shepherds EXCEPT:

The exercise requirements are MUCH larger (physical AND mental) and they need a much more experienced owner.

 

[Mordy]

in my opinion they do not make good pets for the "average" pet owner. a BC from working lines won't even make a good pet for someone who is just a little bit over average.

these dogs need serious mental stimulation - or they come up witht heir own amusement, which can get quite destructive. this is the reason why soooo many BC's are dumped at shelters and many of them are under 2 years old when people "get rid" of them. athe has elaborated on that aspect already.

to me the "average dog owner" is someone who takes their dog for a walk around the block for 15 minutes once or maybe twice a day, does not enroll in at least one basic obedience course and is not involved in any kind of dog sport (e.g. obedience, agility, flyball and so on).

as soon as young children are added to the above mix, you have a situation where a BC is very likely to not get the exercise and mental stimulation it needs. these dogs were bred to work hard all day, and that is not something you can train out of them (or any dog for that matter). above anything else, it is simply not fair to put this kind of dog in such an unsuitable environment.

 

[Renee750il]

Edited to add: I will probably be living in a small apartment with at least two BCs in the next 4-5 years. If I'm still in touch with you guys then (I hope I will be, I want to be talking to you all by the time I graduate from college.) I will let you know just how hard/easy it is to keep BCs in an apartment.

ROFL! Rip's, after you've lived in a small apartment with two Border Collies I hope you're still speaking, PERIOD! You may just be running about in circles, barking at the moon

 

[Sunnypup]

I think the man is right on most counts. Most people who get a dog just want a stuffed animal. Something to occupy their time when they are bored and need a buddy. Border collies, aussies, cattle dogs, and the like are horrible house dogs if all you expect them to do is play when you feel like it. Sunny is an aussie and he needs a good 1 1/2 hr workout a day, mental and physical. At least. And Aussies are typically the less active of the herding types as I have come to learn. So with that I would guess Joe Shmoe picking up a pup from a breeder isn't going to want to devote a few hours a day to the stimulation of his new friend. As a general rule I would say 40% of people who have dogs shouldn't have one or atleast shouldn't have that breed, but that is me. I've seen way to many labs that look like an overstuffed couch when they should be lean from swimming and playing but their owner looks just like them. It isn't good for the dog. However I think if you are dedicated to your dog, yes bcs can be good pets. Just my 2 cents.

 

[RD]

ROFL! Rip's, after you've lived in a small apartment with two Border Collies I hope you're still speaking, PERIOD! You may just be running about in circles, barking at the moon

Like I'm not doing that already?

I'm glad that the apartment thing will be for a very short amount of time, though.. I'm like my dogs, I like wide open spaces.

 

[juliefurry]

border collies can make good pets for the right people. Any dog can make a good or a bad pet it depends on that person's lifestyle. I had a border collie mix for a very short time that was all border collie and I couldn't handle it. He had such a high herding drive and he destroyed everything in my apartment (parent's basement that was finished and I used as an apartment). So finally after he destroyed my second mattress my dad had enough with him and said he had to go. He needed A LOT more than I could give him.

 

[caseyolee]

ANY Border COllie can be a "pet" as long as the person is willing to meet the needs of the breed. LOTS of mental and physical stimulation. Mental stimulation can be anything from herding classes to ball playing! But, they're not for the "lazy" person. They like to go, go , go and to have one, you need to like to go, go ,go!

 

[MyDogsLoveMe]

I owned a BC actually was purchased for a child that we had in our custody that was autistic. We purchased the BC as a companion for him. The (shouldnt call him a child) teen was 15 at the time and I tell you I have never seen a more gentler animal as I did with the BC. Clint (his name) was very attentive to the needs of the BC under my supervision and the BC bacame very attentive to the needs of Clint. With the exception of school they were unseparatable. BC yes are herding animals and are very smart creatures but they are also in tune with the surroundings. When Clint left our home he was allowed to take the dog and last I knew the dog was still with him (well 5 yrs ago that was the case) As with any animal depending on how they are raised and taken care of will be the outcome of who they will be. You come across some dogs that regardless of how hard you try they are just as stubborn as husbands (sorry couldnt resist that one) and need more work and some people dont want to deal with that and toss them to the side. People train dogs to attack on a command and that isnt right also. A dog like any animal and human just want the love of the family or person who has choosen them. They will do their damnest to will your love and attention.

 

[621mum]

I like hearing the nice stories given that we think Luna might be half B.C.

 

[Doberluv]

I'm like my dogs, I like wide open spaces.

Not only will Rip be howling at the moon, she'll be singing with the Dixi Chix.
__________________

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

I have a mainly border collie mix (she's border collie and german shepherd) named Tippy whom we rescued from druggie neighbors who were abusing and neglecting her. Over the past couple of years I've learned that border collies
1. Need lots of exercise - physically and mentally. Many border collies turn into little terrors when they aren't properly exercised. Tippy however turns into Ms. Mopey and makes me feel bad if she doesn't get enough exercise.
2. They are extremely intelligent and need training to stay interested. Tippy learns new commands nice and quick. BUT their intelligence also challenges their owners.
3. They need something to do. I think it is stupid when people claim you HAVE to have your border in agility otherwise it's an unhappy dog, because my border doesn't compete in any sport and she is perfectly happy. She keeps busy herding geese and doves, being spoiled, giving us the famous stare to get us to go to bed, and more. I am thinking of competeing with her in herding if I can find a good instructor.
I really do not recommend border collies to anyone looking for a dog. I really just don't. Lots of people just want them because they're cute and fluffy, intelligent and sweet. They don't realise that these dogs will challenge you no matter how smart you are. They like to test their owners and boy are they good at it!

 

[MiniFoxie2]

Why on earth not?

I think you can make generalizations about the most likely temperament based on breed; one can pretty much guarantee that working dogs and terriers need work, or games and stimulation and exercise--but that's where it stops. You can't guarantee the personality of your children, and you can't guarantee the personality of each individual dog.

Border Collies can be great pets, why not? I've got one. Depends on the comitment of the owner.

 

[rottiegirl]

Yes...

They could be good house pets only if they have enough exercise and a big yard. Or they will become destructive. They have to have something to do all the time.