We have just taken on a lovely 6 month border collie pup who seems well, is active and eating fine. However he drinks huge amounts - loads more than our 3 yr old flattie did or does - and consequently needs to pee as much as a young puppy. We have never had to limit water for our older dog but I wonder if this would be OK to do for a while or whether this is just normal. Are there likely to be any health problems associated? He came from a very reputable breeder who told us this and did not seem concerned. It is making housetraining incredibly difficult - perhaps this should be under the 'behaviour' forum instead?

My advice would be to take him to the vets and have him checked for urinary tract infection or kidney problems.  No, it's not normal for a 6 month old to be wanting to drink excessively and you would not do him any favours in witholding water from him.  Sorry, but the breeder doesn't sound at all reputable - I'd welcome hearing who it is by pm as this is a breed I have a significant interest in.

Are you feeding kibble which is making him thirsty, before he came to you he may have had to compete with others for water and is now making up for lost time for fear of it running out.

If this continues then you need to go to the vets for a check over and discussion about this behaviour.

He is on Proplan which is what he has been fed at the breeder's. I don't think he would have had to compete for water. I feed my flattie raw and I am thinking of changing him to that but I'm unsure whether this is best for a bc - the breeder implied that perhaps there would be too much protein. I haven't had a bc before so I don't want to do anything that might not be for the best and the 'collie' books and blogs I have read seem to suggest kibble as the best diet. I had wondered if the kibble is what is making him so thirsty but surely it can't just be that or far more dogs would have the same problem.

Also I will definitely take him to the vets for a check up in any case. Thanks!

Well certainly I would expect him to drink lots more compared to a dog on raw food which is up to 80% water compared to dry which is 10%.

Puppies are also inclined to rush around a lot and therefore drink lots.

Getting a urine sample to check for UTI is no bad idea to make sure.

When people mention excessive drinking , diabetes is the first thing i think of so a definate trip to the vet. 
Fingers crossed for him X

Might be worth keeping a check on the actual volumes over a period of time.I would imagine this is something the vet may ask for.

No reason why collies can't be on a raw diet... they're like most other dogs ;-) some are fed on kibble and some on raw....

If your adult is fed raw then i suspect that you are accustomed to less drinking and  that your pup is behaving normally for a kibble fed dog. Also young dogs often enjoy a good slop about in their water bowl, drinking is a fun thing to do! Never restrict water access, especially on a kibble fed dog as that is the way to create bladder problems. I agree that if you feel unsure a vet check is in order especially before you change over to try raw as you don't want to introduce something new if there is an underlying problem.

>We have never had to limit water for our older dog but I wonder if this would be OK to do for a while

I hope you won't mind me pointing out that it is illegal to withold water.  A dog needs access to fresh water at all times.  You risk prosecution if you are reported under the Animal Welfare Act.

I have adults on raw and when my kibble fed pup arrived I noticed him drinking more than I was used to - mind you he used to burble about it in and fling it round the room so was bound to attract attention!!

There's no reason to think a BC pup cannot be raw fed, and he'll transition easily enough.  There's also no real reason to be alarmed at the water drinking - kibble does make them extra thirsty but some dogs do naturally drink more than others.  Do you soak his kibble?  Adding water with his dry food will certainly help his intake and I think it's quite a good way to give him the extra fluid he needs.  It's worth remembering too that youngsters do pee frequently and boys are often far too busy to go properly so appear to go every five minutes!!  It's easy to forget when you've not had a puppy for a while and hopefully it's nothing to worry about:)

Thank you dogs a babe - that is very reassuring and the point that he doesn't go 'properly' is I think the nearest to the truth. I am pretty much decided to swap to raw as my flattie is doing so well on it. I do soak the kibble at the moment. It all seems a bit unfamiliar now as I am so used to the BARF regime. I am probably worrying far too much - that's having a new pup after years of getting used to a very easy dog!

I would never withhold water; I meant that I would put smaller amounts out at a time, also because it is easier tosee exactly how much he is drinking over a set period of time. Though he may well get through the same amounts that way anyway. My dogs ccould not be cared for more lovingly or carefully.

Really no need to justify your actions.At no point did you even suggest that you witheld water.Good luck.

Are you soaking the food thoroughly before feeding it?

Yes I've been soaking it now though the breeder said he didn't always.

Actually a day has made all the difference. I have mixed a bit of raw mince in with his kibble. Also I suspect that he now has far more to keep him occupied and stimulated and, touch wood, today he seems less interested in his water and he is not peeing anywhere near so much. Maybe the excitement of being here for the first few days has died down a bit and now that he is more used to us and more secure he doesn't 'need' the water as much as he did when he was kenneled at the breeder's and had less to do to keep him busy and exercised.

I think I probably worried too much too quickly. Puppies seem to have that effect! However, I will certainly be taking him to the vet anyway for a checkup. At the moment I think I will start him on raw like my flattie. It has worked so well for him.

Many thanks for all the advice and support.

I have a BC pup who is just over 5 months, and she drinks GALLONS of water!! She's fit & healthy and is absolutely fine.

By all means get your pup checked to rule out anything not right, but some dogs do just drink more than others. It may be that you have to continue with housetraining for a bit longer with this pup ... 

I have a 7month old flattie who was kibble fed when I got her and yes I noticed the difference in water consumption from my other two who are raw fed (different breeds) and it is the same if I have to give kibble due to some misplanning.
I moved fcr on to raw asap which she loves and is looking fantastic and full of flattie energy and all is equaled out now. the only difference I notice is have an extra means the bowls need fillingmore often anyway lol

Some years ago I got back a bitch that drank and drank and drank. She was about a year old. It turned out that the owners had only put water down after a meal because she peed everywhere and they didn't like it :-( Took bitch to the vets, everything was normal, she slowed down within a week when she realised that the waterbowl was permanently filled and she didn't have to drink it all in one go. Could it be possible that this is the case here?

Could well be that that is the case. He seems generally more relaxed - well, as much as you would expect a collie puppy to be! This forum is great - every time I have used it I get loads of helpful advice and it's so reassuring to hear other experiences. I learn a lot each time. Thanks again!

My dogs have 3 large water dispensers around the house, but when I empty and refill one they queue to drink it. I think they are expecting a new flavour !!

> but when I empty and refill one they queue to drink it

Two of mine really like that 'fresh from the tap' taste too, and rush to drink - odd when you think that on a walk a muddy puddle is quite good enough!!

Yes, mine are like that too. Henry was the worst - stagnant ditchwater was fine, fresh from the tap was fine, but he wouldn't touch water that had been in the bowl more than half a day!

Ooh! my lot are like that too.

They like the tang of stagnant water and they like the tang of Chlorine straight from the tap, but after a few hours in the bowl you'd swear it was hydrochloric acid!

Nice to know they're 'normal' LOL