Border Collie?

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I will be moving soon to a new house on five acres. I am thinking about getting a Border Collie. I know they are very busy dogs and need lots of room to do their thing. Anybody ever owned one? Give me your opinions, the good, the bad, the ugly.

 

[ultrarunner]

Busy is about right...

My last and current is an Australian Shepard... not quite as busy... active is the word I would use.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Our first dog was an aussie, beatifull blue eyes. As a puppy he was very nippy.

 

[thatguy]

When we moved to the country I thought I wanted either an Australian Shephard or a Border Collie.. After doing some research I realized I was not prepared to have either one.. In high school and college I worked on a horse farm that always had aussies and I love them, but I have also seen some BC's that are so great..

follow this link to a google search and read on..

border collie horror stories - Google Search

I just didnt think we could keep either of the dogs busy enough that they wouldnt eat us out of house and home (literally eating the house LOL)

good luck

Brian

 

[2manyrocks]

Intelligent, trainable, extremely active, tends to herd anything that moves. Not a dog to ignore. They are working dogs and need jobs and attention.

Lost two pretty well trained dogs to cars because they left the house to eat deer remains at the road. Even though you are moving to the country, a fence is needed to protect your dogs. If not a fence, then at least a kennel. But Border collies won't be happy in a kennel for long boring periods.

 

[zionview]

Dad used to say "If you keep 'em busy herding the cows, they won't chase the chickens". They do tend to get into mischief if not kept occupied. But I gotta give them one thing-they're loyal. A neighbor had one who made it impossible to play a pickup game of baseball, unless you like chasing a dog to retrieve a gooey ball.

 

[Lasgambler]

I have and have had Aussies since the '92. Three generations now. I love them. They are great companions, they strive to please and love to work and play. They do require attention and if you are in a position to take with you every day it keeps them busy, socialized and very smart.
I can't take them with me everyday now as in the past, but I do have several acres fenced for them to play. The boy in my avatar is almost one year old His name is Burnt Mountain Auggie Doggie

Good Luck on your choice.
Terry

 

[MossRoad]

We had a border collie mix. She was a great dog, but kinda dopey sometimes... she would frequently run into glass doors and was scared of owls hooting!? As kids, it kinda sucked trying to run around in the yard, as the dog would nip at us and run circles around us and herd us into a ball, then lay down with her chin on her paws. First one to make a break for it usually got bit in the butt! MOMMY!!!! Pooky won't let us plaaaayyyyy!!! Whaaa!!!! When she wasn't biting us in the butt she was very lovable, would lay at your feet, play with you for hours and hours, etc... Fortunately we had another dog, an older male mutt, that would keep her in line most of the time. The house was never destroyed when we came home, although the ocassional chewed up sock would turn up once in a while.

 

[kenmac]

I own 1. when he was younger he ran around the place all the time. Active is an under statment ! They do need alot of room. Not to roam to run. Very good dog though. I would own another 1

 

[CurlyDave]

I worked with a guy who had a border collie. He was very active in Boy Scouts with his son and that was a match made in heaven.

1 border collie and 1 troup of scouts on a long hike seemed to be just the right balance of energy. He took the dog and the boys out at least once a week and everyone loved it. But, if you don't happen to have a troup of Boy Scouts to balance the dog...