i know there's been a border collie thread before but i'm after a bit of info about what they're like to live with day to day. i know they're hard work and that doesn't put us off but we're not sure if we really have the time for one. i have a yorkie at the mo & he goes one one, sometimes 2 walks every day but a collie would need more than this wouldn't they? i'm self emplyed so my plan is to take the dog to work with me, this would provide company but no real exercise apart from maybe the walk there and back (but i usually drive ).

my dog is good with other dogs but he's never been done & we got him as a stray so we don't know how old he is. whould a bitch or a dog be better? obviousley if we got a bitch, we'd get one fo them done.

or are my circumstances just too rubbish to bring a border collie into?

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steph & alex along with

parrots: senegal, african grey & blue headed pionus
mammels: children, exeedingley black cat, yorkie, frech lop, mini lop & 4 babies.
herps & inverts: corn snake & 5 gals

they need to be worked if u know what i mean as they are working dogs it's not just about going for walks they need lots of mental stimulasion as they can and will cause i lot of damage.

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As a youngster mine got 2 walks a day, morning and evening, approx 1 hour a time... but that wasn't really the problem. You can sit on a bench and just throw a ball and my border collie cross will be happy for hours wearing himself out, so you dont' necessary have to go for a long walk yourself to provide exercise for them. Most of them will be object orientated.

Mine needed a lot of mental stimulation as a youngster but keeps himself occupied now. As a youngster if not being watched closely he was extremely destructive.

It's not a breed I personally would choose to have. We got ours at 9 months from a rescue and I don't regret getting him, but if I was going to go out and deliberately pick a specific breed, I think that border collies are quite high maintenance, although very rewarding... I always find that they thrive in a working environment which is not the environment I provide (of course, mine is only half border collie... so I'm sure people with full breeds will provide better info).

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i got a collie/springer cross she has 2 good walks a day in a huge field and loves to hunt rabbits ect at home she can be very demanding and wants loads of attention ..she is also a one person dog but still loves everyone else but is never far from my side

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You need to keep them on the mentally and physically tired side......so if you have the times etc to do this then sound.........but if you don't then you may find the dog will slowly become a lil blighter, which you don't want

I have a border collie eve................they are hard work......always on the go, destructive when left alone (she is 7 months)

I took her in as a rehome but she wouldnt have been my choice of dog if going out and getting one

im with who ever else said it i think collies should be working dogs even pet collies cant seem to shake the work mode lol


they need to be in a field herding sheep in my opinion

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I've had a few border collies and not found them to be destructive but they are obsessive. Any undesirable behaviour has to be nipped in the bud cos they don't grow out of it - they develop it into something worse. If you're getting a collie get one from show lines and leave the farm bred/working ones alone - they don't do well in pet homes.
Mental stimulation is really important as is exercise. They are notorious for being sound sensitive (fireworks/thunder etc). I do compete with mine so they are happy and they suit my needs and lifestyle. They really do need a job of some sort and in the right environment they are fantastic. (I had to say the last bit as they are reading this post over my shoulder).

everything you've said is what's putting me off a border collie. it's other half who seems to have his heart set on one. i said i think they might be too much for us & after what you've all said, seems i'm right. i know they can be descructive if left alone, hence my taking her to work idea.

where i live, there's loads of them about & people that i know who've either had or got one now, all say they're great dogs but hard work. so then i think if we put the effort in, it'd be worth it.

what sort of toys did you have with yours? what things did you do to keep her amused?

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steph & alex along with

parrots: senegal, african grey & blue headed pionus
mammels: children, exeedingley black cat, yorkie, frech lop, mini lop & 4 babies.
herps & inverts: corn snake & 5 gals

I have found with eve the best thing that keeps her amused and happy is chasing my friends german shepherd round the park


he chases the ball she chases him lol

she also enjoys chasing a ball herself too or a hoop

she can get very distracted very quickly too so have to keep her attention on me

though she is very loyal and dosnt stray far from my side

she is a fantastic lil dog just so full of beans lol

i thought huskies were hard work till eve came along lol


but yes if your looking into getting one then i would go down show lines as someone said rather than farm bred as i think thats where eves from as she has a very high herding instinct in her

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Love and respect goes out to...........Snake pliskin, pliskins chains, LoveMySnakes J-Dee ,Finchy , sam69, Webby06_2007, Scaley, FooFoo & Ditta, tick, RONST3R, Diablo & Faith,Sinni, xPrincessx, Shell195 , Pouchie, Grumpymouth, HABU, Purejurrasic

does she try & herd the other dogs?

you've got loads of dogs & they must be more work than a collie & yorkie lol?

i looked at some toys today to see what's available to keep her occupied but don't know if they'd be suitable for a collie.

a kong (sure you all know what they are)
a ball thing that you hide treats in & when the dog rolls it, some treats fall out.
that was just in my ickel local pet store, i'm pretty sure there's more on the market.

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steph & alex along with

parrots: senegal, african grey & blue headed pionus
mammels: children, exeedingley black cat, yorkie, frech lop, mini lop & 4 babies.
herps & inverts: corn snake & 5 gals