Some collies do love to snuggle up to their owners. Border collies possess a near-magical ability to demolish houses, destroy yards and chew through furniture, all before breakfast. They Are Extremely Smart Dogs We cannot talk about the Border Collie without talking about his intelligence. Consider different activities, exercise options, and plenty of mental stimulation to keep your Border Collie happy. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Border Collies are generally healthy dogs, but like all dogs, they are predisposed to a few health conditions. Even if you dont have those many advantages, if youre willing to invest time and love and efforts, youll get a wonderful dog that will bond with you really strongly. 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? A Border Collie is one of the smartest dogs out there. I'm an experienced collie owner from Scotland and the original founder of Howling and Growling. If you arent confident in your dog training abilities and able to be an assertive yet loving pack leader in your collies life the smart Border Collie will pick up on that quickly and take advantage of you in a heartbeat. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Categories Border Collie, Medium & Large Breeds. This can be very frustrating for new dog owners who are just learning how to train a dog. It may sometimes be too noisy or otherwise too stimulating for a Border Collie to spend time outdoors. However, if this is your first time owning a dog, you may be wondering if a Border Collie is still the best choice. Dealing with a highly intelligent breed means theyre relatively easy to train. In a nutshell, no. There is no escaping, Border Collies can be considered high-maintenance dogs (lets be honest, most of us are high maintenance too!). Border collies are happiest when they are working or playing, and will Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. They will learn who is more of a pushover in the family and use that to their advantage, and they are smart enough to think a few steps ahead. 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. I still walk him every morning and play ball in the afternoons, but I have never had a problem with him being destructive. This means you need to exercise them a lot, either with other dogs or with humans. 1. That duration is too long for a single stretch. Border Collies will take a significant amount of time and energy, but the investment you make in time and energy will be greatly rewarded in a loving and loyal dog! The grooming needs for a Border Collie are moderate and dont require any unique considerations. They will not be happy with a 10 minute walk in the park to then come home and be expected to rest. In family situations this can cause problems when the chosen leader is absent. 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. IF you can do all these things for them, with a little additional research, a collie could be a good fit in your life and home.Here is some more general advice for first-time dog owners. Collies are built to run miles a day on a farm, so if they dont fulfill this urge, they can become distressed and frustrated. WebA bright, ingenious breed, the Border collie is the perfect dog to be a pet. They also have nipping tendencies, and although this is not intended to cause harm, it may end up hurting someone. The more time you spend with your border collie, the stronger your relationship will become. Which Ones? The Border Collie: A Guide for Owners - PetHelpful One of the main reasons I wanted a dog was for the soft, warm, furry cuddles. But many forget that they also love cuddling and bonding with their owners, making them the best of both worlds! What if you bring them inside? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'trainingbuster_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',168,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-trainingbuster_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); They also need multiple brisk walks or runs a day, especially if access to a spacious area is limited. Theyre intelligent, trainable and have many useful qualities as a family pet or working animal. A dog can get plenty of exercise through regular walks, proper socialization and positive training. This breed is extremely driven, loyal, and hard-working. It made me think. Poodles. 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. Border Collies for First-Time Dog Owners (Read This First!) A border collie will stare as a way to communicate with you. In short, no, Border Collies are not well pre-disposed for being a guard dog. For first-time dog owners, which is best, female or male Border Collie? Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. Are you ready to have a dog that is the most intelligent and obedient dog you have ever seen? 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. But is a Border Collie the This article will help you make a good decision about adopting a border collie, or maybe not. While some Border Collies have great off-switches in the house, others will constantly be looking for a job to do. Well, the biggest reason. Naturally, by long-term periods, its implied that the period is up to 8 hours a day and not more. First things first, yes Border Collies are easy to house train. If so maybe I shouldnt be put off getting one on the generalisation of the breeds original purpose? Border collies have been bred for purely working and herding purposes. There may be a potential danger, like adverse weather conditions. But it has to be a good fit for all concerned and should this new companion be a Border Collie? Just wondering if our house is the right fit for a BC! border collies are good candidates for first-time owners. Border Collies are known to herd other pets in the home and children. Border Collie anxiety manifests itself in several ways. If you are a first-time dog owner with zero knowledge about pets, you can have a tough time dealing with this smart breed. Now that you know a little about border collies and what they need to live their best lives, the decision is yours. Border Collies although easy to train are very high-energy and need a lot of mental stimulation. Are Border Collies Good for First-Time Owners? | Hepper If not, then you may want to consider another, easier breed at first. However, the adaptable, easy-to-train Border Collie is now increasingly being adopted by active families as an energetic pet who suits their lifestyle. This means that there are so many options out there for you if you might be thinking a border collie is not for you. You need to consider how much time, attention, and patience you have while considering the overall needs of a Border Collie. Essentially, theyre trying to herd you, and theyre mimicking the livestock herding behavior they were originally bred for. This is because they often do not realize the amount of work needed in taking care of this breed. Are Border Collies Good For First-Time Dog Owners? | Flipboard As they are smart, they need activities that need some mental effort too. Contact, How To Prevent Separation Anxiety in Collies, Can collies be left alone? Collies are highly intelligent and love to learn new commands and tricks. There are dogs that are friendly and trusting of any person, like golden retrievers. If you dont take the time to properly socialize your Border Collie while they are young he can become very shy, standoffish, and possibly reactive. You will need to spend a lot of time reading about border collies and observing them in order to know their psychological, behavioral, and physiological needs. But since the breed is so intelligent, dont be surprised if your Border Collie teaches themselves to unlock the gate or climb over the fence. They are often the first in line on many intelligent dog breed lists. This can include chasing flies, chasing shadows, or even incessant licking! While they might not be the best dogs for first time owners, owners with experience can find them easy to train and eager to please!Which is better male or female Border Collie? They are a demanding breed to train as they need consistent reinforcement which requires a lot of time and patience. Border collies are very smart. Here is a list of jobs that other owners have given their Border Collies. Being sensitive and intelligent means pet parents need to make some extra effort to respond according to their psychology and behavior. Terms | Border Collies are intelligent dogs that will respond to training from a very young age. But if you rather spend your time chilling in front of the fire reading a good book, dont get a Border Collie! A tired border collie does not have the energy to bark. Even if they dont want to relax with you, theyll want to interact with you a lot of the time. Some dogs may feel intimidated by their herding behaviors or they just dont like another dog trying to control their movements. Add to that how much they love running and theres no way were going to recommend them for first-time dog owners without hard backing boundaries! I also have a medium big backyard but behind my house there are terribly huge fields. Are Border Collies good for first-time dog owners? Cheers. 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. Not good for first time dog owners. Characteristics of the Border Collie. This all sounds great until the task in hand is chasing a ball. As highly trainable and people-pleasing dogs, most goldens can be taught to live successfully with cats. Two border collies are great company for each other when you cannot be with them. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. This is because they are extremely intelligent dogs, who will quickly learn what is expected of them. WE have a good-sized backyard and are doing all the research possible to be prepared. These include: Destructive behavior such as chewing or digging, especially when left alone. For the average person, Border Collies are probably not a good first dog. Border Collies Good for First As mentioned before, this could be a park, your yard, or even a field. At least, it should. Read our Guide to Exercising With Your Collie for some fun ideas how you and your collie can exercise together! Make sure your Border Collie pup get plenty of daily exercise. Can Border Collies live in apartments? How to prevent separation anxiety, How To Care For Your Collie: Nine Important Tips For New Collie Owners, How to Teach your Collie to Give You A Kiss (Easy Trick! But many owners also say that their Border Collie still has a great quality of life in a flat with a nearby park. A good first dog should be highly trainable and have a naturally friendly temperament towards other dogs and people.