Therefore, over time, breeders have developed a warm, insulating coat to rival the fleeces of the sheep the breed is known for rounding up. 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. If you neglect to give your Border Collie the proper space, exercise, and stimulation that they need, they will seek it in destructive ways. Thanks for subscribing! For example, as seen in the linked video, Border Collies are sensitive and dislike sudden noises like a toaster or doorbell. Not only is this proven by massive numbers of Border Collies in show business, but a British Columbia neuropsychologist named Stanley Coren did research and wrote a book called The Intelligence of Dogs He uses trainability and execution of commands to measure intelligence and as many predicted Border Collies came out on top as the most intelligent! 1. Border collies are intelligent and active, meaning they require a lot of attention and patience on behalf of their owners. We needed a smart dog that liked being taught commands and complex ideas, that liked running and exercise and which bonded strongly. (myth Busting!) 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. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. The latter is the fluffy, Lassie-like collie, whereas the former has a sleek, short coat. If this happens, they can become destructive and anxious. Sadly, this isnt the best choice for first-time owners. I agree that they have a good temperament, and Even if they dont want to relax with you, theyll want to interact with you a lot of the time. If you dont have the time needed to keep your Border Collie happy you will start to see your Border Collie turn to destructive behaviors to keep themselves occupied. My brother has taught his Border Collie to find and retrieve antler sheds! Their Amazing Origins. They Are Extremely Smart Dogs We cannot talk about the Border Collie without talking about his intelligence. Read more about the origins of Border Collies in our feature article here. Good luck! If you do not want to spend a minimum hour per day simply maintaining a dogs coat, then its best to stay clear of rough collies. But is getting a Border Collie a good idea for a first-time dog owner? Your pet should go for regular checkups with your veterinarian, and pet insurance is worth considering. Are Caucasian Shepherd good for first time owners. However, if this is your first time owning a dog, you may be wondering if a Border Collie is still the best choice. The Border Collie Corgi mix can vary in size but usually theyll have the stout appearance of their Corgi parent. As a breed, Border Collies are playful, intelligent dogs, who have traditionally herded sheep and cattle using their incredible unique stare called their eye all over the world. 17 Reasons Why Getting a Dog for your Teen is a Great Idea! Theyre not natural couch potatoes! There is no escaping, Border Collies can be considered high-maintenance dogs (lets be honest, most of us are high maintenance too!). However, Border Collies are so intelligent that training may be more difficult. It may sometimes be too noisy or otherwise too stimulating for a Border Collie to spend time outdoors. Pets provide a number of benefits to any household such as improving their familys overall fitness, lowering stress levels and helping to provide company that can combat loneliness and improves general mental well-being. Border collies are very demanding, sensitive, and active dogs. They can also provide each other with much of their daily exercise as long as they are of a similar size. If you are out exercising and leading an active lifestyle more than you are sitting at home, and you can come up with sufficient activities to keep them occupied then a Border Collie could be great for you. The tail is mostly uncovered since the dog sits upright while working. Whether its because of the lurid, neon colors they are available in or because it appeals to their centuries of experience in tracking that one stray sheep, many a Border Collie owner will tell you about what a Frisbee fanatic their Border Collie is. This type of outdoor lifestyle gives Border Collies a lot of exercise per day but they may require extra socialization time. 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. Instead, you will need to indulge them in an interesting activity that will consume their body and mind. Collies are constantly on the go and need an owner who can keep up with them! You have to be 110% committed to investing your time into training and exercising throughout their lifetime. *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. The Border Collie has large ears that sit flat against the dogs head. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. They are usually good with children and other animals but may require some training. Border Collie dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. For first-time dog owners, which is best, female or male Border Collie? This can include chasing flies, chasing shadows, or even incessant licking! What if you bring them inside? They are intelligent, friendly, and active, but they also require a lot of attention and training. Its more work than you think, even for older collies! In fact, the parent breeds arent a good But their incredible intelligence is also what makes playing with the Borden Collie so enjoyable. Naturally, by long-term periods, its implied that the period is up to 8 hours a day and not more. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'trainingbuster_com-leader-2','ezslot_10',166,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-trainingbuster_com-leader-2-0');But at any point, their centuries spent herding can take over and they could start to herd a person jogging past, for example, or a crowd of young children playing loudly. The exact amount of time can vary from dog to dog, but you can expect at least 2-3 hrs of quality time spent doing things with your Border Collie, and then another hour or more coming up with things to keep your dog busy when you cant be constantly engaged with them. However, if you have the time, temperament and resources then there is no reason you could not bring a Border Collie home from your local shelter. But theyd be just as happy outside if this is possible. Comment below with any questions you have! WebAre Border Collies good for first time owners? west valley > general for sale - by owner QR Code Link to This Post. WebAre Border Collies good for first-time dog owners? Crate training them, playing music while you are gone, and getting another dog are three great ways to help alleviate their stress while you are not at home. With intense herding instincts (they were developed to gather and control sheep), they are best for active families who head outside often. The most common issue is hip dysplasia, which can lead to arthritis. Collies need to keep their minds busy and occupied or else they will find other (often destructive) ways to entertain themselves. Are you considering getting a border collie? Border Collies are intelligent and trainable. Collies are usually not a good first dog, since inexperienced dog owners may be easily overwhelmed with collies unusually high requirements for training, exercise, and mental stimulation. ORDER OUR DOG TRAINING AUDIOBOOK TODAY The first 14 minutes of our Audiobook is FREE! Border Collies will undoubtedly form a close bond with their owner, and while this is special and so rewarding, a first-time owner needs to know that this may cause them to be intolerant of being away from you. It is also a good habit to regularly check your dogs ears. However, anecdotal evidence does suggest that male Border Collies tend to be easier to handle and are more devoted to their owners. 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. So the border collie will be my first dog but my wife had a huge sheep dog when she was young. Are you ready to have a dog that is always ready to work? Border Collies require at least two hours of Continue with Recommended Cookies, Categories Border Collie, Medium & Large Breeds. Can Border Collies Swim? Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. In addition, pets with diarrhea or other intestinal illnesses may not be able to make it outside fast enough. In spite of this, collies are a very rewarding breed to live with, and could be a great first dog for an owner who knows what they are getting in to and who has the time to properly train their new collie. Many owners say that a Border Collie requires a house with an expansive yard, at the very least. If you train them to do something like opening a door with their mouth, for example, theyll get to grips with how to do this very quickly, but the next day you could find them letting themselves into your cupboards or out to the street whenever they feel like it. If you spend a good time reading about their behaviors and learning the responses of your actions, you can better understand a border collie in a short period. 8 Potential Methods, How Do Cats Show Affection? They were first developed to be a working dog made for herding sheep and other livestock on farms. It can be caught early and rectified with medication and surgery. However, Border Collies are not dogs that will be satisfied simply being lap dogs. However, while the Border collie may be a good family dog, its not good for every family. Picture the ball going through a barb wire fencenow picture your collie also charging through the fence. But theyre not as suited to living in a small apartment as the Boston Terrier, for example. Instead, the Border Collie is actually a mix of a Roman herding breed and a Viking Spitz-variety herding breed. Not good for first time dog owners. You need to develop good bondage with your furry friend and healthy chemistry to know his expectations from you. How much exercise do Border Collies need (puppies and adults) ColliePerfect.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Reproduction without authorization is prohibited.All trademarks are property of their respective owners.Privacy | They can get this from learning new commands, tricks, or other working tasks. In addition to all of that, rough collies have a long coat that can be quite tough to maintain and might be more work than an inexperienced dog owner would expect. It goes into depth about grooming care for the Border Collie and has links on how to bathe, brush, and care for your dogs teeth, ears, and paws. If you have any questions, please let me know. Theyre friendly with people and other animals, making them suitable family pets. Without adequate exercise your collie may develop behavioral problems. Because they are so smart Border Collies can be highly reactive and sensitive. If so maybe I shouldnt be put off getting one on the generalisation of the breeds original purpose? There isnt a set amount of exercise they need, but a good rule of thumb is that your puppy needs five minutes of exercise per every month of age twice a day. When looking after a dog, you must ensure you can provide your companion with the correct diet, grooming needs, and healthcare. These behaviors generally develop because a collies needs are not being met and can reduce the quality of your collies life. This article will help you make a good decision about adopting a border collie, or maybe not. High energy working breeds like collies may develop separation anxiety if you work long hours and they are left alone often. Because theres two of us this means we devote 1:30hs each per day (when we are time restricted) and up to 5 during non busy days (weekends, holidays). WebHistorically collies, therefore, made good working dogs having strong herding instincts and resilience to the great outdoors. Collies love to spend time outdoors so if your hobbies already lend themselves to an outdoor lifestyle then a collie could be a perfect option to tag along with you on your adventures. Making sure you choose the right breed of dog for your lifestyle is important. First-time owners can own a Border Collie if Is a Border Collie easy to train for first-time dog owners? But Im willing to make it. They are also sometimes stubborn, so training may be a challenge for novice owners. 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! Office Friendly. This is when problems might arise when they dont get the stimulation they need. WebAre Border Collies good for first time owners? As a first-time owner, its important to be able to make sure you have the right animal for your household. Golden retrievers are loving and sweet-natured, adaptable, and outgoing. I also have a medium big backyard but behind my house there are terribly huge fields. The Truth about Attachment and Loyalty in Border Collies! They will not let you spend the whole day on a couch. Border Collies require at least two hours of off-leash exercise every day and lots of daily mental stimulation to keep their minds healthy and avoid behavioral problems. Sorry for the late response. 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. Then there are dogs like border collies that need lots of exercise and stimulation. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. A good first dog should fit with your lifestyle. It may not surprise you, then, to learn that the Border Collies coat is also just as suitable as a sheeps fleece for making wool. With proper training by an experienced owner, they can make a good family pet. 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. At least, it should. Border Collies heritage stems from sheep herding, making them excellent watchdogs; theyre well suited to anyone who loves a good walk and has time to spend outdoors. Just coincidentally came across your site and Im glad I did! Learn more. I dug in a little further and here is what I found out. What do you think? Collies require a minimum of two hours off leash exercise every single day and lots of mental stimulation too. Im thinking of getting a border collie as a first time dog but have worries about the horror experiences. WebBorder Collies are not usually recommended for first-time dog owners. Are border collies a good first dog? Taking that into consideration, why wouldnt they be a good breed to start with? Border Collies are known to be highly active canines. If youre looking for a great companion and family dog, but you are unsure if you have the time to spend with your new puppy, this breed is probably not a good fit. I have studied the traits and behavior of border collies to learn how they expect their owners to behave. While this dog breed tends to herd anything that moves, they are not likely to ever do so with malicious intent. Didn't find what you need? They are extremely clever, can easily figure out how to open a door and when it comes to training, they are an absolute joy. Border Collies must begin training as soon as possible because they may become destructiveif not given enoughmental stimulation. This all sounds great until the task in hand is chasing a ball. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The result, you have an accident prone dog who may make several trips to the vet over their lifetime. Some dogs may feel intimidated by their herding behaviors or they just dont like another dog trying to control their movements.