Is A Border Collie A Good Fit For You? Here Are 2 Things to Consider
I want to say upfront, I LOVE our Border Collies. My family has raised them for a decade and I still can’t get over how intelligent and loving they are. If you are considering this breed, you need to first ask your self one thing. Is a Border Collie is a good fit for you?
How We Got Our Border Collies
Gracie was our first Border Collie. We got her in 2010 when a family friend’s Border Collie had a litter of puppies. She had her own litter in 2015, and that’s how Piper and Rolley came about. We knew we wanted to keep one of Gracie’s pups, but we just couldn’t decide…so we kept both.
But back to when we first got Gracie. The moment we saw her we just couldn’t resist her charm. Gracie was the cutest one of the bunch, super friendly, and the only one who was tri-colored. Typically, Border Collies are black and white, so we knew she was special.
She was a little scared on the way to her new home at Thistle Downs, but when we got back and set her down, the first thing she did amazed us. She darted into the pasture and began running circles around the cows. It was amazing! These were just her pure instincts telling her how to herd animals.
After that, we affirmed how intelligent she was right away by how quickly we were able to train her. We only had to tell her to come once or twice, and she picked up on what to do right away. In fact, I really can’t recall a time Gracie hasn’t followed a command. We’ve never had to use a leash either because she’s always right at our side when we want her there.
Border Collies are VERY Intelligent
Because of their high level of intelligence, Border Collies are used in all sorts of roles. They are trained as drug and bomb sniffing dogs, search and rescue dogs, assistance animals, guide dogs, and farm hands to herd livestock.
In addition to being so intelligent, Border Collies are also very loyal. They are always searching for validation from their owners. This trait makes them highly trainable and hardworking. And by hardworking, I mean HARDWORKING.
Border Collies Require Exercise
Border Collies are workhorses with insane stamina. They excel in agility competitions, flyball, and sheep herding trials due to their natural athleticism.
To satisfy this trait, they require lots of exercise. Piper and Rolley go out multiple times a day for a long game of fetch. Watching them sprint and race each other for the ball is a lot of fun. Their speed and stamina are incredible! You can throw tennis balls for an hour and they are still ready for more.
The Questions You Need to Ask
Do you live someplace where your Border Collie will be able to run around freely and get regular exercise?
Because they need so much exericise, Border Collies really aren’t suitable for urban, or sometimes even suburban living. They are better off somewhere with the ability to run around and stretch their legs. This is why farms are excellent places for Border Collies to live. Being able to roam acres of farmland is exactly what Border Collies were meant to do.
Will your lifestyle allow you to spend a suļ¬cient amount of time with your Border Collie for training and bonding?
I mentioned that Border Collies are very loyal, but they also crave attention and reassurance. They want you to acknowledge them so they know you are pleased. Ours have mastered the sad puppy dog look in hopes of getting a pet and some terms of endearment.
They also require consistent attention because they need a clear understanding of who is in charge. If you aren’t the alpha, they can be defiant. But If you give them consistent time and attention so they understand you are the boss, they do very well. (It is important to prioritize this with any dog.)
Border Collies Need Socialization
In addition to requiring regular attention, they also require socialization from an early age. Border Collies who are not properly socialized can sometimes be shy and skittish around strangers and even aggressive toward other dogs. If they are adequately socialized though, this usually isn’t a problem.
Our Border Collies don’t participate in any tournaments or competitions, but we take them along anyway. We take them because these gatherings serve as a great means of socialization with other dogs and people.
If you want a Border Collie, you need to be prepared to dedicate a consistent amount of time to it’s exercise, socialization, and training. Even if you live out in the boondocks, if you aren’t sure if you can dedicate the time then you may want to rethink the right breed for you.
To sum things up, Border Collies are excellent pets when raised in the right environment. They are highly intelligent, loyal, and obedient when properly trained and socialized. They are also very athletic and agile, with incredible stamina. This makes them hard workers and allows them to excel on the farm, at work, and in competition.
Summary
If you can ensure your companion will get the attention and exercise they need, then you will love owning a Border Collie. They truly are incredible companions when given the time and space they require!
Cheers,
Cody