We  are thinking of getting a border collie but would like some advise first please.
We are a family of four,2 children age 14 and 12, we already have a dog a yorkshire terrier who is 7.
We wouldnt be showing the collie  nor using the dog as  a working dog it would be a family pet,it would get plenty of love and exercise but is it fair on the dog to have it just as a pet.
Thankyou for your help.
you can reply on this address or on
d-abbott@supanet.com

All BC require something to occupy their minds but I think I am right in saying that you would find the show type easier than a farm type or bred dog. Not sure how they get on with other dogs but think someone will be along soon to let you know.

Hi as has been said BCs are active dogs and will need plenty of exercise but most impotantly plenty of mental stimulation and training.They will get along fine with other dogs if they are socialised properly (as any puppy should be).I also agree with Jackie a show bred border collie would most probably be easier than one that has come from strong working lines( there are exceptions to every rule).If you can offer an active stimulating home then a BC can make a wonderful family pet.Gillian

if your thinking of getting a border collie i would seriously think long and hard ,there a lovely breed but they are very active dog's,which need alot of stimulation and exercise,if you the outdoor type of family they might be the right breed for you,but if your expecting a border collie to need no more time than your yorkie then i would definetly think of purchasing another breed,sorry for being so negative,but year after year you see far to many border collie's in rescue.

ok. thankyou very much for your help

Can I second what Keisha has said.  Please think long and hard before getting a border collie.  I have several collies that were obtained by their first, and in some cases, second and third owners without too much thought.  They are not really the most suitable breed to have as the average family pet.  Mine all have about 4 hours supervised exercise a day, lots of play training and they compete (or are in training) in agility.  As Keisha says there are far too may BC's in rescue.  The last one that I took on ended up being chained in the garden by her previous owner at 6 months old because she wrecked the house if she was shut in or ran away if she was left in the garden.

Sally

Hi   Just to agree with the advise already given here -  Border Collies are wonderful dogs, and can make superbn pets in the right enviroment, but not too many family hjomes provide the right enviroment.  I have a friend who has had BCs for years - all from working strains.  They are intelligent, faithful fun dogs.  However, he lives on a small holding (breeds horses).  His BCs have allways, from own choice, picked to sleep in the stables/barn.  Happy to come into the house for a visit, but not pleased to spend the night inside.   Also terrible (or very good?) thieves - nothing safe on kitchen work tops (and even higher up).  Several years ago, when his old girl passed away, he got an adorable pair of pups, who settled in beautifully, having come straight from a Dales farm.  It became noticeable as they grew that they really needed something to herd - several times a day they could be found in the paddocks "rounding up" the horses.  As this was dangerous for the dogs and not good for the horses he came up with the bright idea of getting a couple of goats.  This worked beautifully, the dogs spent a large part of each day ushering the goats around the farm buildings and fields outskirts.  Goats got varied grazing, borders kept neatly trimmed, BCs very happy dogs!   About this time he got a phone call from someone who had another pup from this litter, asking if he knew anyhone wanting to give a good home to her dog - she explained that the whole family loved him, but the kids were fed up wearing wellies!  As this didnt seems to mCollie neatly rounded them up together and hereded them into a corner, nipping heels of anyone not going the right way - only protection was permenant welly wearing!
bye
Gwen

Thankyou for all your help.I think we will now look into another breed.thanks again.
sandra

Thankyou for all your help on border collies.
What do you all think of Golden Retrievers for our life style.
Afamily of 4. childen are 15 and 13.
we have a 7yr old yorkshire terrier.
the dog would get loads of love and walked twice a day if not more. somebody is here most of the day.
what are they like for chewing and malting.
thanks for your help.
sandra

Hi

I would say that a Golden would be a much better choice. All though, I would still take some training lessons. That I think, youu should with all breeds!

You should just be aware that they also need exercise, and moree than two walks a day, that goes for any breed again!

If you don't want to go for walks, maybe its a cat your looking for?

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be harsh, but one of the major reasons for me getting Luna (chocolate labrador) is, besides company, the exercise for me and for her.

Retrievers has a tendency to overweight, so be careful with the food and the treats in particular, if you don't want to go for a lot of long walks!

Jeanette and Luna

Think with most dogs the success you have with them depends a good deal on how well they have been bred and reared. There are some lovely Goldies and there are some with less than good temperaments, and the same applies to most breeds. It is difficult to make suggestions to others about what breed would suit them because there is a limit to any one persons breed knowledge and we do not really know what you expect from your dog.

Do you need something that can cope with not too much exercise, all dogs like walking but some can do without an abundance of it. Do you want something that does not loose it's hair, and how do you feel about either paying for the dog to be groomed or learning to do it yourself. Do you or your children wish to undertake some sort of activity with the dog? Are you looking for something the size of a BC or more that of the Golden. By the way Goldies do moult and do require a fair amount of exercise and entertainment.

ok thankyou for your help.
I love walking and could walk for miles,like i have said i already have a yorkshire terrier who has his coat groomed every 6-8 weeks.
We were just thinking of getting a bigger dog.perhaps i come over drifferent in what i wrote perhaps it sounded like a wanted a dog who would just be happy to be with us without all the other needs of a dog which isnt true not even our yorkshie would like.
sandra

Then I think a Goldie would suit you, they do moult but grooming is a brush and comb affair. Most important is to visit several breeder and meet their dogs to make sure the temperament is what you would wish. Not sure if they are hip scored and eye tested but I'll look that up for you and let you know. Best place to start is with a breed club, now I have forgotten where you live so will look that up to and give you the club contact number. Unless someone beats be to it. Be back soon.

Hi there again.
Yes i do groom my dog every day he loves it.
I think my post was misunderstood my fault i did rush it..sorry..
I live in wellingborough are there any breeders  near  but i dont mind if we have to travel.
How do you know when hips and that have been checked.

Hi Again, you ask the breeder of the pup you are considering to show you the certificates of the hip scores, they will be on the KC registration when you get it, and the breed norm is 19 so 19 or lower is what you are looking for. Eyes, Goldies can and do suffer from a number of eye conditions that are heredity and you should ask to see the certificate for the eye test that should say the eyes are clear and the testing should have been done with in the last year, eye testing is done every year.

Breed Clubs, your nearest is the Eastern Counties Golden Retriever Club and the contact number is Mrs Webb 01223 842358. There are a number of clubs and you will find the list and the contacts on the Kennel Club Web Site click on Discover Dogs at top ~ Breeds on left ~ Gundogs from list of groups ~ then Golden Retriever or Retriever (Golden) and scroll to the bottom where you will find the list.

Hi Jackie H
Thankyou for all your help i will let you know how things go.
sandra

Sandra if you PM you email to me I will send you copies of the hip score and eye test so you know what you should be looking at. Good luck with your searching.

hi jackie h
my e-mail address is d-abbott@supanet.com
Thankyou
sandra

I've probably misunderstood your post, but you do groom your Yorkie every day, as well as the professional grooming every 6 weeks or so, don't you? A Golden needs a good brush and combing (about 15 - 20 minutes or so) every day.
:)

Golden's are lovely dogs and will probably suit your family well. However, i just thought i'd point out that whilst they need lots of exercise when adult, they won't be able to go for very log walks until about a year because of the risk to the growing dogs hips and joints. My golden is 8 months and we have just started going out for 40 minute walks. When she was 4 months old she went out for 20 minutes max.
They will need lots of training, play and socialisation during this time, in the same way that any breed would.
Good luck, and enjoy.