I am considering taking a Border Collie puppy home.
I grew up with them, have been around at least one most of my life.
They vary greatly within the breed as far as their personalities, from my experience.

I have a small house.
I have a small yard - fenced.
I work from home - hhmm probably half the time. When I work, I work long hours.
There is another dog and cats to keep him company. The dog loves him, the cats not so much - yet.
There would be routine structured exercise - hikes/walks/runs, just not anytime all the time throughout the day/everyday.

This little fluff ball has stolen my heart.

Your experience with Border Collies? Pros/Cons?




(I think I'm really looking to be talked out of this.)

i in same boat, we just lost a greyhound rescue dog (great pets) and i going back and forth to get another, just remember with a border collie is a ten to twelve year responsibility

Aaaww I'm sorry.
It's hard to make the decision to 'do it again' after a loss.
I usually say "never again!", but then reach the point where I can't stand it and end up with another pupper! Never regretted taking in another one yet!

Greyhounds are super - a friend of mine has FIVE rescues. They are great dogs.

I've always had dogs, one lived to 15, one lived to 14, my pup now is 10, so I get the "many years commitment" deal.

More curious on Border Collies in my environment - small yard, no 'working/herding' conditions unless he chooses to herd the cats or dust bunnies while I'm away

When I was a litte girl and my dad was in the army, there was a guy in his unit whose family raised border collies in Texas.. HIs family sent me a puppy by train...he was the best dog(very protective of me) and we had him for a long time.. I named him Trooper as my dad was a paratrooper..

How sweet - what a great memory!
My daddy brought us a border collie puppy when I was about 7 as a surprise. That dog was wonderful - had her for about 14 years.

They are good dogs - some are a bit frantic and I've known some of those. This ones mama is the sweetest dog I may have ever known and his daddy is top notch pure Border Collie.

I'm almost convinced to take the puppy home - if it wouldn't work out for some odd reason I can always bring him back to the farm to my brother.

and Bingo was his name-o

Aw dang, you just had to post the adorable little fluffball's pic, didn't ya? I'd adopt him too probably ! But I'll share my story for what it is worth. I have had one border collie (mix, but mostly border I think) and then decided she was just too smart and active a dog for me to ever get another. But LR, it sounds like you know the breed and that generally they need to have something to keep them occupied, even if it is just herding around the other pets. There was a group in Seattle that worked with BC's to keep their little minds happy by providing them with flocks of ducks to herd. This supposedly reduced their behavioural problems immensely. Mine used to tear stuff up and developed a licking granuloma issue (sort of a habitual licking of the forearm that led to raw skin and an addiction to the endorphins that the pain from that created-a vicious cycle) but she was left alone all day with no other pets or distractions. Ultimately, she was a great dog, but I learned the breed was a bit higher maintenance (at least that one individual dog) than I was willing to give. I've had better luck with sheltie mixes since then.
If you grew up around these guys, you already know what you need to. Get him one of those toys (booda?) where you hide the treats inside and they have to puzzle them out of the toy's recesses to get at the treat when you have a long work day. There are always workarounds. Best of luck!

You've heard the joke about how many dogs it takes to change a lightbulb-no? Well, here's a bit of how it goes

Golden Retriever:
The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?
Lab:Oh, me, me!!!!! Pleeeeeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I? Pleeeeeeeeeze, please, please, please!
German Shepherd:
I'll change it as soon as I've led these people from the dark, check to make sure I haven't missed any, and make just one more perimeter patrol to see that no one has tried to take advantage of the situation
Dachshund:
Light bulb? You know I can't reach that high!
and finally Border Collie:
Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code

AWWWWWWWWWW I WANT ONE!!
I had a cocker mix that everyone thought was a border collie. I'm seriously thinking that will be my next dog.
SOO CUUTE!!

I used to have a Welsh Border Collie, his mother was a proper sheep herding dog. He was a lovely dog, but we didnt have a big enough garden for him, he really should have had a whole farm to run around. Beofre you get one make sure you are going to be able to take him for many a long walk and run around large fields.

and this is his brother...

ADORABLE I tell you!

You are exactly right in all you say -- especially the joke, I've heard that before and it's exactly right too!

The mama is a gentle, quiet, cuddly terrier/border collie mix but the daddy is full out border collie. As long as this one has more of his mama's personality we'll be fine I'm sure.
If he turns out to be full border collie personality then that's where the challenge will lay.

I've still not officially decided...but...isn't he sweet!?

The good news is that the farm is only 10 minutes away, so often visits would be fine!
I did have a Great Pyrenees once - and that was a challenge for the same reasons - small house/yard, etc. since they are definite roamers/perimeter guarders. She loved herding the cats and that kept her happy while I was away. She did need runs and visits to the farm often too though.
Might be good for both of us though - would make me stay off the couch when I get home from work!

Border Collies do well if they are worked in some way to burn off excess energy, either with goats, cattle, sheep, or the frisbee/agility that's so popular. We'd taken one in via rescue, and the dog was a nuckin futs fruitcake. Totally messed up in the head. Ended up getting loose by climbing the fence and killed in the road. :-(

The joke with Great Pyrenees is they're also known as "Dis-A-Pyrs". Another group of escape artists, and only good as a single dog, or a male and female, MAYBE.

Absolutely adorably, irresistible !