Making sure you choose the right breed of dog for your lifestyle is important. WebBorder Collies are not usually recommended for first-time dog owners. The Truth about Attachment and Loyalty in Border Collies! Taking that into consideration, why wouldnt they be a good breed to start with? At some point in everyones life, the prospect of becoming a dog owner ignites and becomes all-consuming as you decide which dog you should bring into your life. However, if this is your first time owning a dog, you may be wondering if a Border Collie is still the best choice. Characteristics of the Border Collie. How Much Exercise Does a Border Collie Need. Poodles. But theyd be just as happy outside if this is possible. ), Samoyed Dog Breed Guide (Quick Links and Information), Require at least 2 hours a day of exercise, fetch things (newspaper, slippers, people), You are a highly active person who loves to exercise with your dog, You have a lot time to invest in learning how to train and care for your dog, You can be creative in coming up with jobs for your dog, You have a desire to teach your dog a lot of cool thing. And to be honest, the readers who named him the No. A tired border collie does not have the energy to bark. Some dogs may feel intimidated by their herding behaviors or they just dont like another dog trying to control their movements. Sadly, this isnt the best choice for first-time owners. If you want to adopt a border collie, and you are confused if the two of you will make a good match or not, you are in the right place. If you have any questions, please let me know. So, for a first-time owner, a Border Collie will be fine living inside, as long as there are not too many alarming noises. A Border Collie will not wander off as far as other breeds like a Terrier or Hound, but they can still easily jump out and even nip at passers-by, in an attempt to herd them. When Border Collie puppy starts to go potty, praise it for doing its business. Border Collies were a popular breed as they proved very effective due to their high energy levels and intelligence making them very fast, agile and able to follow commands. Collies need lots of puzzle toys and one on one time spent learning tricks or developing their training with their owner. Since they are herding dogs, border collies are full of energy. Sorry for the late response. Im willing to put in the exercise, both mental and physical for the dog and training etc. The best way is to just dive right in! Im away about 6-7 hours in the day. WebOwning a border collie is not easy. Collies are emotionally sensitive dogs and are happiest when they are sleeping close to their pack. The shepherds who use these dogs will find them to be excellent helpers in their work. Hi, I would love to get a Border Collie. Border Collie puppies tend to have a lot of energy and can exercise for an hour or more a day. But my nephew has one and when i visit him she just comes and sits next to me. If you have a lot of other responsibilities or you are gone at work for a significant portion of your day it could be very difficult to find the time you need to keep your Border Collie occupied. If you have a small apartment and dont go out much, then probably not. We are looking to get a Border Collie pup after Christmas. ), How to Teach your Collie Paw (Easy Step By Step Guide), Complete Guide to Collie Temperament and Personality. You have to be 110% committed to investing your time into training and exercising throughout their lifetime. Here is a list of jobs that other owners have given their Border Collies. They were first developed to be a working dog made for herding sheep and other livestock on farms. Shes a beautiful dog, very intelligent, great with his kids, and the perfect herding dog for his large property! You will need to be prepared to spend a lot of time playing with teaching and coming up with activities for your Border Collie to do. Are you ready to take the time needed to give your border collie the best life they can live? They will always want to round up anything and anyone who moves, and they may wander or roam, too, if they become very bored. If your Border Collie doesnt get enough exercise they can turn to destructive behaviors as well as whine cry and bark a lot! Collies are difficult dogs to live with an need a lot of training and exercise. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. ), How to Teach your Collie to Dance (Walk on Two Legs), How to Teach your Collie to Cover Their Eyes (Peekaboo! But is getting a Border Collie a good idea for a first-time dog owner? Border Collies are known to herd other pets in the home and children. Dog breeds that can be left alone for long periods include Labrador and Golden Retriever, Beagle, Peekapoo, or Shiba Inu. *Thecolienois.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees at no cost to you by linking to Amazon.com. If you take your dog on an extra muddy adventure, you can up the frequency (you dont want mud tracks all over your house! This site trainingbuster.com is owned and operated by G and H trading LLC, headquarters in Wheatley road Kent ct126ad. Because some say no to me. Still, some people would insist that they have always left their collies that long without issues. They are so smart they figure out how to unlock and open doors, dig under or jump over fences! They can also get mental stimulation from toys made specifically for this. Border collies are often cited as the most intelligent breed of domestic dogs. If first-time owners do decide on a Border Collie, it is important to understand the breed first before you bring your new family member home. 8 Potential Methods, How Do Cats Show Affection? Then there are dogs like border collies that need lots of exercise and stimulation. So, if you are a first-time owner, then this is probably not the breed for you. The average dog has the capability to learn around 165 words and signals. If you are able to keep your Border Collie busy your rewards are a super fun, playful, sensitive, extroverted, and intelligent dog! As much as you can give them. Their coat is a little different from a sheeps, though. Can Border Collies live in apartments? This is one of the reasons why they are not recommended for first time owners. This is because they are extremely intelligent dogs, who will quickly learn what is expected of them. We want to train the BC to do some tricks and simple commands but we dont know if the BC would like the smaller house we live in? Most herding dogs, like those mentioned above, will sometimes nip at a persons feet or heels. Office Friendly. Id love to hear how its going! Just coincidentally came across your site and Im glad I did! If aggressive behavior is displayed, it is likely that something else is up like an undiagnosed health condition or issue. Lets explore a few reasons below why collies generally dont make good first dogs. It says that you are willing to put in the time it takes to be a good dog owner. You must ensure you have a few hours spare each day to invest into training your collie so if you work long hours and like to hit the gym or grab a few drinks at a bar after work then a border collie will not be a good first dog for you. Essentially, theyre trying to herd you, and theyre mimicking the livestock herding behavior they were originally bred for. They are a large, boisterous, and playful dog with the energy to keep going all day long. Basic training is easy, but to train your border collie-specific commands and tricks, you require insight into their psychology and behavioral response. For new dog owners it may be a shock to learn just how much of a commitment a dog requires as you are responsible for their health, happiness and general wellbeing. Golden retrievers are loving and sweet-natured, adaptable, and outgoing. Comment below with any questions you have! If you are looking for an active canine companion with a caring and friendly personality to join you on your hiking adventure or a game of frisbee on the beach, a Border Collie will definitely fit the bill and bring you years of joy and unconditional love. They are also sometimes stubborn, so training may be a challenge for novice owners. Alex Walker is a passionate animal lover with a special fondness for Border Collies. They are often highlighted in movies like Animal Farm and Snow Dog. Its no wonder that a lot of people would think about getting a Border Collie when they decide to get a dog. In this article, were going to look at exactly what it takes to look after a collie, and what type of person a collie is suitable for. The most common issue is hip dysplasia, which can lead to arthritis. Training Buster also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. No, inexperienced owners might find it too much of a challenging breed. The tail is mostly uncovered since the dog sits upright while working. Im adopting an 11-month old BC tomorrow and its not only my first dog as an adult, well also be living together in an apartment. 1. They also have strong jaws that help them catch their targets safely; this makes them great for hunting small animals like Rabbits or game birds such as Quail. Unfortunately, because theyre so focused on their people, Border Collies are another dog breed that might be at a higher risk of developing separation anxiety, says Burch. I have studied the traits and behavior of border collies to learn how they expect their owners to behave. When it comes to exercise, a Border Collie needs daily access to as large a space as possible. To play Treibball, your Border Collie must herd large balls into a football goal. High energy working breeds like collies may develop separation anxiety if you work long hours and they are left alone often. This doesnt mean its There are dogs that need hardly any exercise and are happy laying around all day. Collies are high maintenance and require a vast training and exercise commitment to prevent behavioral problems, however even for new dog owners if youre willing to put in the work collies are extremely rewarding dogs to look after. My border collie mix (BC and red heeler) is very chill. Highly intelligent and highly trainable, the affectionate and energetic Border Collie almost always comes out on top when it comes to doggy smarts. WebAre Border Collies Good For First-Time Dog Owners? A good first dog should be highly trainable and have a naturally friendly temperament towards other dogs and people. The Border Collie is a popular working animal used by ranchers, farmers, shepherds, hunters, military personnel and many others who need high-level herding dogs. WebAre Border Collies good for first-time dog owners? People love the cheerful nature of this breed that makes it suitable for both work purposes and companionship in everyday life. A lot. A Border Collie may be challenging for a first-time dog owner, but with adequate training and care, it can become an extraordinary pet. So, if you love to accept challenges and crave wonders, you can have a big opportunity to learn and enjoy yourself with a great furry friend. Sometimes collies are just too focused for their own good and run after their much loved ball with no regard for their own wellbeing. In a nutshell, no. This is when problems might arise when they dont get the stimulation they need. From understanding their behavior to keeping them safe and playing with them they offer advice and research-backed guidance on all aspects of owning a Border Collie. Collies are exceptionally demanding dogs to live with and have a lot more needs than other dog breeds. There are a lot of great qualities that a Border Collie has that can make them an excellent dog, but first-time owners need to know what they are getting into before bringing on the challenge of raising this breed. Many people love Border Collies cheerful natures and will choose this breed as their pet. There is no escaping, Border Collies can be considered high-maintenance dogs (lets be honest, most of us are high maintenance too!). Are you ready for daily training (Or at least multiple times a week)? This breed can be intense, and it needs a lot of work Here, you will find the answer to the question, are border collies good for first-time owners?. Some people have a crate setup in the house for their Border Collies to sleep in and they never need to shut the doors as their Border Collies choose to sleep in there. ), see this article I wrote about eating rocks, dirt, and poop, article I wrote about how picky Border Collies are, Border Collie Hair Care (Complete Grooming Guide! He's originally from Ontario, Canada and his breeder is from England. Collies need to keep their minds busy and occupied or else they will find other (often destructive) ways to entertain themselves. They excel at the task because of their strength, stamina, intelligence, and work ethic. Border Collies are famous for using the eye staring intensely at members of the flock to intimidate them. This breed has not earned the name of perhaps the most intelligent dog for no reason! Unless you get a rescue dog that was already trained (housebroken for example), you might reconsider getting a Border Collie. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); the most intelligent breed of domestic dogs, Best Shampoo for Border Collies in 2022; Cleaning, Coat Care, and More, The Best Dog Toys for Border Collies 2022. He is older now, but has always been that way. Medical Disclaimer:All content included on thecollienois.com, such as text, images, graphics, or other material is for informational purposes only, and should not be considered a substitute for proper medical advice. Well, the biggest reason. If you think about their history, Border Collies were bred to run around the fields and work hard each day. Collies are super high energy dogs who love being out and about with their owners. Therefore, if you are a novice owner, you may find it easy to train female dogs. Before we adopted her we purposefully moved into a ground floor flat right next to 2 big car-free garden areas plus were surrounded by dog parks, so she is usually never walking on a leash unless were going somewhere. Not all Border Collies bark a lot and you can train them not to bark, but it does take some time and effort. When looking after a dog, you must ensure you can provide your companion with the correct diet, grooming needs, and healthcare. But you can never train a Border Collie not to herd. 5 Reasons For And Against! This is happening as a result of more and more people moving to urban areas. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. Common causes in Border Collies include boredom, stress, loneliness and depression. A Border Collie will always seek to test boundaries. Can Border Collies Swim? As stated, this breed requires patience and skill, which not many people have. A Border Collie is an incredibly sensitive dog who will constantly listen to every word you say. Yes, border collies can be an excellent choice for first-time dog owners. With these characteristics, female border collies are easier to train. They were bred to herd sheep, and if not given enough exercise and meaningful tasks to do, they can be found herding any living thing around them including, cats, your children, or even you! Yes, Border Collies can be great first-time dog owners. But Im willing to make it. Our girl is now a full sized 16 month, brilliant dog. The Border Collie is an incredibly intelligent dog who picks up both good and bad behaviors in an instant. Because they are so smart Border Collies can be highly reactive and sensitive. This is because it is in their nature as a herding breed to bark commands to the livestock and bark to get attention from their owners. WebAre Border Collies Good for First-Time Owners? The Border Collie Corgi mix can vary in size but usually theyll have the stout appearance of their Corgi parent. These dogs have thick necks that give them extra stability when chasing or retrieving objects. We adorpted them. But it has to be a good fit for all concerned and should this new companion be a Border Collie? Yes . Make sure you are able to provide this before getting a Border Collie! At Muddy Noses you'll find articles covering care, training, exercise, puppies, first time owners and breed information. Are Border Collies good for first-time dog owners? If you think at this point that border collies are not for you, there are so many other kinds of dogs out there that may be for you. Instead, the Border Collie is actually a mix of a Roman herding breed and a Viking Spitz-variety herding breed. They are a demanding breed to train as they need consistent reinforcement which requires a lot of time and patience. Border Additionally, Thecollienois.com participates in various other affiliate programs (clickbank, CJ, shareasale, impact radius, partnerize, Chewy), and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. If you lead a very active lifestyle that you can incorporate your Border Collie into then this may not be a problem for you.