Question: Border collies as pets yes or no?!?

(Posted by: Serina on 2010-03-12 23:14:43)

Can a border collie be "tamed " to be less active and more on the lazy side? and also how much do they shed

Posted by: sickbxy on 2010-03-12, 23:30:39

LMAO Laura I love my apartment border collie, she has actually thrived in this environment. It is very dependent on the owner and dog how well any dog does in any environment. I have never heard a border collie be called a lazy dog lol I've adopted out a few "lazy " border collies but that is wholly relative to the breed and other border collies who have come through my house... Border collies as everyone will tell you are a very active breed, they need constant stimulation and an owner who will make them a major part of their life. They do not do well tied up in the back yard or home alone while their owner forgets about them because they have a "life ". My guys go everywhere with me except school and shopping for human food where they can't go in the store. If you have an under stimulated border collie, shedding will be the least of your problems, they can become evil geniuses at destroying your favorite things in life if you do not drain their energy and give them the attention they deserve.

Posted by: Laura on 2010-03-12, 23:17:57

No. They're not wild animals, therefore they can't be 'tamed'- Border Collies are high energy dogs that will need a lot of walking and exercise. You can train them not to be so hyper they tear stuff up or knock things over in the house- but a lot of that is by wearing them down by exercise. And they shed a fair amount.

Posted by: Jennifer on 2010-03-12, 23:19:01

The activity level really depends on the individual dog. If you are looking for a more laid back dog, I would suggest looking at rescue groups for an adult dog. It doesn't have to be a senior, but that way it will be out of the hyper puppy stage, and when you meet it you will be able to judge how active it is. If you end up with a hyper dog, you really can't train it to be less active, and any border will need some type of regular exercise.

Posted by: NNF on 2010-03-12, 23:24:52

Border Collies are one of the most energetic breeds. They do shed quite a bit too. If you cannot handle an extremely energetic dog,or their shedding a border collie is definitely not for you. Border Collies need lots of mental exercise as well as psychical. Here are several sites about them. dogbreedinfo.com/ bordercollie.htm dogtime.com/ border-collie.html yourpurebredpuppy.com/ reviews/ bordercollies.html

Posted by: BulliesRock on 2010-03-12, 23:26:55

No, they can't be tamed to be less active. They can still make great pets as long as the owner isn't lazy. My best friend has two border collies. She hikes them five days a week and the other two days has them in herding. They are awesome dogs when they have all that exercise and stimulation. You can't make them less active or lazy. That comes with time. Her border collies shed like labs (a ton). She vacuums daily, but she has hardwood floors and is really anal about keeping the house clean. If you have carpet or aren't as much of a neatfreak as she is, I'm sure you don't have to vacuum more than twice a week. She also keeps throw blankets on her furniture that they are allowed up on. This is an easy way for her to just peel the blankets off and throw them in the wash when company comes over - quick, clean couches!

Posted by: Steven on 2010-03-12, 23:47:48

Border Collies just like people have different personalities, some prefer to sleep all day, some will want to run a marathon. But what I can tell you with certainty is that even a lazy border collie will be extremely active when their up. Their purpose in life is to work and can run happily all day. So to answer your question yes as a pet (but only yes) if your prepared to go outside and exercise him or her for 2-3 hours at least everyday. If not there are more suitable breeds that require less exercise. You could also consider a cross collie breed, believe me the great collie attributes still come through. When training a collie puppy you have to be so consistent and despite their intelligence training can be harder. Without exercise a collie will become destructive so dont just expect it to just lay down next to the fire every time, it would much rather play fetch. Also you will need to vacume once a week.

Posted by: Pixie on 2010-03-12, 23:50:31

Number 1; No you have understand the a Border Collie is serious working dog, even when keep as pets, they NEED and require 4hours of phyiscal jogging on leash & frisby, agility and 3-4hours offleash exercise, they are unhappy with the lazy owner lifestyle, they NEED active owner for there own mental wellbeing. So yes they can most defiantly kept as pets, as long as the owner realise they cannot make a dog that breed for tireless working all day, to be lazy. I work with my friend border collie who the typical person that gets a dog for the kid, and the kid promises to give the dog exercise, but nope, and he doesn't get the exercise he's required, he's bored, boisterous, and very excited and desperate to go walks when he does get out. I think he gets out about 3times a week. No where enough exercise If you want lazy collie type dogs, look into the Rough coat Scotch Collie dog, and Shetland Sheepdog, much more suitable for the pet life, they have less drive, and less energy, and both are moderately active breeds and yes they are abit happier with lazier owner, there also more adaptable to lazy owner's lifestyle then say border collie is. Now watch these videos do you really think a border collie would be happy with a lazy life, working with lazy owner that own them, i can clearly tell you they aren't, there downright depressed. This is the exercise they NEED to keep them as pets. As Dr. Harry said yester on Harry's Practise, you cannot take the hunting out Jack Russell Terrier , the same thing rings true with a Border Collie, you cannot take the working ethic out of the border collie or the natural instinct to chase or run, but YOU can provide alternative means to control these urges, but theres NEEDS are MUST, instead of hearding sheep, it is possible to get a quiet border collie and no way to tell until 5years or older, but probably only 1% of the border collie born would fit the lazy profile Agility youtube.com/ watch?v= oDTt4lGhxjw Flyball youtube.com/ watch?v= ZSKOH6QoLKs &feature= related

Posted by: Marna O on 2010-03-13, 07:49:37

99% no You can't train lazy Shed?..... quite a bit You pick a breed that suits what you want rather than choose a breed and make it into something else. What a Border collie IS is a very, very active, driven working dog that needs tons of attention and exercise. If that is not the type of dog you want, you find a different breed.