Anyone have/had a Border Collie?

[Aimeedyan]

Returned to the shelter tonight, they just got a litter of border collie mix puppies. They're 7 weeks (too young to be away from mom but can't do much about that now!), very playful, black and white, with small paws.

Since the only known breed is the Border Collie, we've been researching that breed to learn more. What has been your exp with them?

My most important question is how much they shed, honestly. I would also like to hear how big they get, as I can't find weight info online anywhere.

DH and I are talking it over tonight and if we decide on one (a female one in particular) he's going to get her in the morning.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

We have shelties and I have been around border collies but am not an expert. I think they are very smart dogs but you need to work with them. They like to have a job or purpose. I would guess they get to be about 40 pounds. And I know shelties shed but am not sure of the border collie. They are supposed to be very nice dogs.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Returned to the shelter tonight, they just got a litter of border collie mix puppies. They're 7 weeks (too young to be away from mom but can't do much about that now!), very playful, black and white, with small paws.

Since the only known breed is the Border Collie, we've been researching that breed to learn more. What has been your exp with them?

My most important question is how much they shed, honestly. I would also like to hear how big they get, as I can't find weight info online anywhere.

DH and I are talking it over tonight and if we decide on one (a female one in particular) he's going to get her in the morning.

Ok, I have an Australian Shepperd, which most people confuse with Border Collies. It is actually part of the family. Think of it as a Border Collie "lite".

He SHEDS!

Man, oh man, does he shed! But if you brush him 3 -5x a week you should be ok. But we don't brush him that much.

These dogs need TONS!!!!!!!!!! of exercise. They are herding dogs; they need a job to do. They will herd children if permitted, which isn't good.


Both breeds can be reserved around unfamiliar folks. And they like to bark a lot when they see or hear anything that "they" preceive isn't "normal".

So, do I like my dog? yes, but definitely not a breed for the masses or for thsoe who want a dog who likes to lay around all the time. The more they do the better the dog will be.

Quick story: when my daughters were learning to crawl up the steps, he would walk up behind them with his head near their butts to stop them from falling.

THEY CAN BE SMARTER THAN THEIR OWNERS....

 

[drgnfly30]

I have a Border Collie mix that I adopted from the Humane Society 9 years ago... he looks just like a pure bred, only smaller - he weighs 25lbs & is mostly fur. Very nice, well mannered dog... unlike his relatives he is a horrible catcher - no frisbees for this guy, hot dogs bounce off his nose & he still has trouble catching it as they roll away.. honestly I think he's near sided! He's a barker when prompted but overall the least trouble of my three dogs!

ETA: He doesn't shed at all... but you definatley have to keep him brushed or he'll mat

 

[Mom2Em]

My BIL had a border collie... We called him Chester the Bitey Dog... He eventually had to give him to a farmer because Chester was always trying to herd everyone... which wouldn't be so bad, except he nipped at your heels if you walked "out of line"...
Border collies are very intelligent and active and need lots of exercise and attention...

 

[Papa Deuce]

My BIL had a border collie... We called him Chester the Bitey Dog... He eventually had to give him to a farmer because Chester was always trying to herd everyone... which wouldn't be so bad, except he nipped at your heels if you walked "out of line"...
Border collies are very intelligent and active and need lots of exercise and attention...

OP... notice the pattern?

 

[drgnfly30]

Remember this is a Border Collie mix... as mine is... depending on what he's mixed with it may affect their temperment etc... mine LOOKS like a Border Collie but really has none of their characteristics. He's a very sweet doggie.

 

[Honu]

I have one and he's my second. They are awesome. They train themselves. I tell or show him once and he's got it. Mine is pure bred and came from a sheep ranch, but his job now is frisbee and he takes it very seriously. He's trained me to do just about anything and throw a frisbee at the same time. He's about 45 pounds and sheds seasonally. He never really barks, but howls at fire engines. He could care less about other dogs unless they are border collies. He listens to and understands every word I say. He's the best, the only downside is he doesn't have much patience with my nieces when they are hyper. He herds them, which includes nipping at their heels. It's not biting and he never makes contact, it's just what he instinctively does when they run around. They love him though and when he's into cuddling, he heads straight for them.

 

[Piglet's Pal]

We have a pure bred Border Collie and we LOVE him, he is the best dog we have ever had. He is very smart and listens very well. His favorite game is playing ball...my boys love having an outfielder for baseball! Border Collies need lots of exercise! He is very good with our children and would die protecting them, no strangers ever get near the kids unless we let the dog know that it is okay. He has never been mean, just protective. We do not have a problem with him herding and nipping at the kids, our dog tries to herd the lawn mower, 4 wheeler and dirt bike. Our dog is big for a Border Collie, he weighs 64 lbs and is not overweight. He sheds A LOT! Brushing the dog is a good job for the kids. My DH was dead set against getting the dog and I can say he absolutely loves the dog. DH lays on the floor with the dog, just like a big kid, and talks to him and tells him what a wonderful dog he is!
PP

 

[Deb & Bill]

We have a Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix. She is the smartest dog I know. Actually, she isn't a dog. She doesn't like other dogs, or cats, especially not cats (and we found an orphaned kitten last August). She prefers people and I think she thinks she is really a person. She has very natural instincts around kids. She herds them just like she herded cattle when she was only about 6 months old. She is very protective of her family. And very loving.

She is 13 now, so she can't catch a frisbee like she used to, but she could jump up and get that frisbee in the air. Fast, too.

Missy sheds a lot, too.

 

[Feralpeg]

I had a Border Collie/St. Bernard mix. Dodger had the coloring of the Border Collie and the longer fur of the St. Bernard. He was 80 pounds and he did shed.

He was very smart, but not terribly friendly with people outside our family. He was okay with DD, but he would get into fights with our other male dog, Baron. As Dodger got older, the fights became more frequent. It got to the point where everytime Baron came near me, Dodger would go after him. Dodger didnt want Baron around me. I ended up giving Dodger to a friend who lived alone and had no children. Dodger became Jim's best buddy until Dodger passed away.

In my opinion, they are not very good family dogs.

 

[DemonLlama]

We have two BCs.

Ian is 15 years old. At 15, all dogs just lay around. Even high energy BCs.
Katy, at 4, still acts like a puppy.

MAJOR SHEDDING BREED
high energy
herding instinct means training is a must, unless your guests like being herded to the bathroom by getting their heels nipped.
THEY ARE THE EINSTEINS of DOG BREEDS.
This means if you leave a BC puppy to her own devices alone in the house, be prepared to see the insides of your couch when you get back.
This is not a breed to own if you cannot spend time with them. They crave your attention unless they are true working dogs. Otherwise, you are the herd and they need you.

No dog will be more loyal and loving if you can give the time to training and companionship that these beautiful dogs need.

Our experience is they are wonderful family dogs, but only if they have been trained well. This is true of any breed, though.

Both our babies were adopted at the shelter.
Here is a picture of Ian:

 

[Professor Mouse]

Border collies are truly very intelligent dogs. They are compulsive at times and if you start throwing a ball to one, they will keep fetching until you are exhausted. I have seen borders in herding competitions and they are fun to watch. They have a strong eye and literally stare the sheep down to get the sheep to move the way they want. Borders also do great in obidence and agility competitions.

 

[stm61]

just to give you an idea on the shedding, we had a full bred collie, basically a larger border collie, when we were kids. We had to sweep the carpet before it could be vacuumed. Ten yrs after the dog left us my mom replaced her carpet. His hair was still in the weave! She couldn't believe it. It's very fine hair, harder to get up then a retriever or shepard. It was a family dog and got along well with every kid in the area. He would try to herd during football games and had to be put in during baseball or he'd steal the ball.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

we have a border collie/black lab mix and he sheds....a lot.

Also in his younger years he used to herd the cats.

 

[Southern4sure]

My mom use to raise collies, not border or shelties but collies like Lassie. Im sure a border collie will shed alot esp during the hot months. You need to brush often so the hair doesnt get matted and dont forget a conditioner during bath time...long hair dogs need it. Any of the collie breed is smart. Borders are more of a working class, they need lots of roaming room. Reg. collies are just plain lovable and are big babies, they also are very smart and great with kids. I havent been around shelties much but they also are smart lovable pets and great with kids.

I dont think you would have any problems if you chose from this breed.

Good Luck!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

As others have said, they need to be kept busy because of their high intelligence, herding instinct and energy level. They are a working dog so if you don't work them they will find something to do on their own. The ones I have known have been nice dogs for the most part - our longtime trainer is a breeder and expert on Border Collies. Some of his dogs have been real characters.

Having grown up with another herding breed - the German Shepherd - I can attest to the fact that they will instinctively nip the ankles of anything small that moves, LOL. My ankles were always bloody as a child. I have two children now with a one year old GSD and it is a challenge to keep that from happening. We've trained her to carry a soccer ball in her mouth while she's in the yard with the kids so instead of nipping them she will "bump" them in the legs with the ball. When the kids aren't home she does it to me.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I have a Rough Collie, that I show. Border Collies are NOTHING like Rough Lassie type collies. Very different personality aand temperment. I have been around alot of Border Collies since as someone said they are shown alot in agility competition. Border Collies are very high energy dogs. They need lots and lots of exercise, training and attention. They are not good dogs for a 1st time dog owner. They aren't good dogs if you are going to pen them up all day. And alot of them can be very nippy. They are known to be one person dogs also. My neighbor has a border collie mix, she is definetly not good with children, not even her own. A Border Collie would definely not be my first choice for a pet.

 

[golfgal]

My inlaws have a border collie and it is the nicest dog. She only barks when chasing squirrls, loves the kids-will patrol the yard when they are out playing. She SHEDS though. If it wern't for the shedding, I would consider getting one.

 

[meandtheguys2]

My aunt does agility with 2 borders. They are the sweetest dogs I know. However, hers are kept busy as others hae stated. Give them a job and they are happy! Sheds, and her male is about 50lbs, and the female a bit smaller.