Border collies require a little more care and involvement than other dog breeds. Border collies are happiest when they are working or playing, and will But if you rather spend your time chilling in front of the fire reading a good book, dont get a Border Collie! They have a good deal of herding instinct, which means they need mental stimulation as well as physical exercise each day in combination with training. Yes, Border Collies can be great first-time dog owners. One other great game thats very easy to play with Border Collies is Treibball. They would prefer to sleep indoors and be close to their humans overnight. WebOr, check out our article myth busting whether Border Collies are good for first time owners. Border Collies are intelligent, energetic dogs with a strong work ethic, so they are not usually recommended for first-time dog owners. If you answered yes to all or most of these questions then a border collie might be for you. Their short coat also means minimal shedding and grooming. 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? 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. Are you ready for daily training (Or at least multiple times a week)? But you can never train a Border Collie not to herd. Urinary tract infections, cystitis (bladder inflammation), bladder stones, kidney disease, or arthritis or age-related incontinence could all be causes of house soiling in dogs. There is no escaping, Border Collies can be considered high-maintenance dogs (lets be honest, most of us are high maintenance too!). The grooming needs for a Border Collie are moderate and dont require any unique considerations. What is this? Do you have the patience to wash and dry your rough collie after every muddy walk? A Border Collie may be challenging for a first-time dog owner, but with adequate training and care, it can become an extraordinary pet. Not all Border Collies bark a lot and you can train them not to bark, but it does take some time and effort. If your Border Collie pup tends to bark when left alone, try leaving the radio on for company. Since theyre also good workers, this makes them excellent for those who want to use them for work purposes as well as companionship. Border Collie; Meet The 5 Cutest Border Collies In The World; WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. These dogs have thick necks that give them extra stability when chasing or retrieving objects. If you live in a small apartment, townhome, or house without a lot of yard space Border Collies can feel really cooped up and have nowhere to focus releasing their excessive energy. Are Border Collies Outside Dogs? If you are thinking about getting a Border Collie as your first dog, you should learn everything you can about them. On the internet I read that this breed needs a lot of time outside. While some Border Collies have great off-switches in the house, others will constantly be looking for a job to do. 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. Female border collies are usually interested in learning and eager to receive commands from their owner. A border Collie is unsuitable for a first-time owner that is looking for a low-energy dog or an owner that is never home and doesnt have the time or patience to give this breed the attention it needs. Consider different activities, exercise options, and plenty of mental stimulation to keep your Border Collie happy. As a general rule you shouldnt walk a Border Collie for more than 5-minutes every month of age. You should consider all these conditions beforehand. I have studied the traits and behavior of border collies to learn how they expect their owners to behave. It is always better to start with some easy dogs to learn and adopt basic things. Collies require a specific positive training approach and they can suffer from traits that are difficult to train out of them without in depth knowledge of the breed, such as chasing cars and nipping. Owning a border collie is not easy. This is because too much running and strain on their joints as a puppy can lead to joint issues in later age. Contact, How To Prevent Separation Anxiety in Collies, Can collies be left alone? Are Caucasian Shepherd good for first time owners. All Border Collie owners will tell you they are amazing dogs to have! This is one of the reasons why they are not recommended for first time owners. You can split it into morning and evening routines. But when you put in the effort, they can be the best dogs you will ever own. Collies are difficult dogs to live with an need a lot of training and exercise. Make sure your Border Collie pup get plenty of daily exercise. Instead, they will constantly want your attention and involvement. Obviously, having some These dogs are intelligent, trainable and have many good attributes as a family pet. While this dog breed tends to herd anything that moves, they are not likely to ever do so with malicious intent. Sorry for the late response. Will they be okay indoors? They can also become sensitive about their food possibly becoming very picky eaters (link to an article I wrote about how picky Border Collies are). To play Treibball, your Border Collie must herd large balls into a football goal. To this day they are still used for herding all across the world. Then there are border collies that need constant training and reassurance that strangers are not threats. Like with everything, there are some pros and cons, which we will list for you. But even without that instinct to herd, Border Collies may also nip just because theyre bored, playing, afraid, trying to dominate, or just for your attention. Naturally, by long-term periods, its implied that the period is up to 8 hours a day and not more. ORDER OUR DOG TRAINING AUDIOBOOK TODAY The first 14 minutes of our Audiobook is FREE! Border Collies have a lot of appeal to potential dog owners. Growing up exploring the English countryside with his canine companion, he now has a family of his own and enjoys watching his children interact with animals - including Border Collies. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. 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. They can develop separation anxiety or even be destructive. As stated, this breed requires patience and skill, which not many people have. Being sensitive and intelligent means pet parents need to make some extra effort to respond according to their psychology and behavior. So, if you are a first-time owner, then this is probably not the breed for you. As highly trainable and people-pleasing dogs, most goldens can be taught to live successfully with cats. One of the smartest Border Collies ever, named Chaser has learned over 1000 words including distinguishing nouns and verbs. It is not recommended that you leave a border collie alone for more than 4 hours. If its really important to you that your Collie is protective of the home, you can always invest your time into training guard dog behaviours, but dont be too surprised if it isnt successful. Not good for first time dog owners. A tired border collie does not have the energy to bark. WebThe Border Collie Shiba Inu Mix is a smart and high-energy dog that isnt a good choice for first-time dog owners. The tail is mostly uncovered since the dog sits upright while working. Are Border Collies good for first-time owners? WebBecause they are so intelligent, they need challenges and puzzles. Contact Us: 01202 022754 / +44 (0) 1202 022754 / alexmuddynoses@yahoo.com, Lytchett House, 13 Freeland Park, Wareham Road, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6FA, Social Media: Muddy Noses on Facebook / Muddy Noses on YouTube. Read more about Border Collie Barking Here. If you answered no to most of these questions, then you might want to keep reading if you are still curious. They are a large, boisterous, and playful dog with the energy to keep going all day long. People love how easy it is to train a Border Collie; this makes them excellent family pets since theyre suitable for everyones needs when it comes to training them to do work tasks and to be companion animals. Border Collie dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. Border Collies are a type of herding dog that is well-known for their intelligence and athleticism. The Border Collie is very intelligent. Border Collie puppies tend to have a lot of energy and can exercise for an hour or more a day. The Border Collie definitely isnt content to be stuck in a yard all day long. These include: Destructive behavior such as chewing or digging, especially when left alone. While their past says they should be working dogs on farms, border collies have slowly made the shift into homes. 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. They will not be happy with a 10 minute walk in the park to then come home and be expected to rest. Border collies are very smart. Therefore, if you are a novice owner, you may find it easy to train female dogs. Most herding dogs, like those mentioned above, will sometimes nip at a persons feet or heels. The amount of training Border Collies need can be overwhelming for a new dog owner. Ollie is a sweet 2.4 year old border collie. No, inexperienced owners might find it too much of a challenging breed. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 17 Reasons Why Getting a Dog for your Teen is a Great Idea! 14 Ways Cats Show Their Love. They are often the first in line on many intelligent dog breed lists. Picture the ball going through a barb wire fencenow picture your collie also charging through the fence. Take time to research a breed to ensure its characteristics will fit with your lifestyle. For more information about Border Collie shedding and grooming, you can read the article below. Therefore first time Border Collie owners with at least daily access to a good space shouldnt worry too much about amending their current living conditions. Thank you for taking the time to read this article; I hope it has been useful to 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. This is because they often do not realize the if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'trainingbuster_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',141,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-trainingbuster_com-leader-1-0');So, if you are a first-time dog owner, these are some specific things to look out for in the breed. Many people love Border Collies cheerful natures and will choose this breed as their pet. 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. Just coincidentally came across your site and Im glad I did! Didn't find what you need? 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.