[Freekshow]

.. And I have a few questions:

• Females vs males - what differences are there and which would fit for a new-time BC owner?
• Would getting a male BC get me into dog fights? If no, would the solution be to socialize with a lot of dogs at the early stages? I plan to let him roam off-leash
• I don't mind herding all that much, but I definitely not want my BC to herd me, my friends, other dogs or cars. How could I prevent this?
• At times, I can't be home for as much as 6 hours a day. Will the BC mind?

will add more later

 

[jesirose]

roam off leash ... in a fenced in area, yes? You're not going to just let your dog run around the neighborhood.

I'm also looking into getting a border collie. They need A LOT of exercise, several hours a day. They really need something to do, like herding or agility. I plan on doing agility and hopefully flyball with Sadie and my next dog.

 

[Laurelin]

What's making you interested in border collies? What are your plans for this dog?

I can pm you to a breed specific forum that'd be good to ask these questions on if you'd like. They have a lot more bc experience than I have.

I don't have a bc yet, but I definitely will in the future. To me, based on my dogs of varying breeds it's up to the individual dog and not really the gender as far as temperament goes. I typically have girls, not sure why.

What do you mean 'letting him roam off leash?' BCs aren't typically aggressive or same sex aggressive, some are pretty reactive with other dogs. If you end up with a male, neuter him. Whatever sex though, you will need socialization to lots of people and situations as well as obedience training.

6 hours isn't unmanageable imo. Be prepared to spend a LOT of your other time with the dog, though. The breed needs a lot of one on one attention. Imo, even moreso than exercise, they thrive on being with their owner.

 

[tirluc]

.. And I have a few questions:

• Females vs males - what differences are there and which would fit for a new-time BC owner?
  in the Border Collie the females tend to be the more serious of the 2....they are very "down to business" dogs and don't (generally) mess around w/ the silly stuff...the males tend to be the more nurturing/clownish/more laid back sex....ease of training is really no different between the 2 sexes, just depends on the individual dog, but the males are more sensitive to any corrections...they are a breed that you cannot be "heavy handed" or unfair in dealing w/ (they will catch you in a "lie")
• Would getting a male BC get me into dog fights? If no, would the solution be to socialize with a lot of dogs at the early stages? I plan to let him roam off-leash
  having a male will not necessarily get you into a dog fight, but that also depends on the dog...neutering makes a big difference...but, they don't tend to back down easily, either, if provoked (think how useless they would be if they backed down from a sheep that came back at them)...letting them run off leash?...well, that depends on how well trained they are to stay in the yard...i would not allow any dog to run loose, however, if you're talking running the neighbourhood....all 5 of mine go out to potty in the yard and come right back to the door (we have no fence) and if i'm out there they are off leash...but, this took training and the fact that they have no desire to go anywhere (i'm their main focus)
• I don't mind herding all that much, but I definitely not want my BC to herd me, my friends, other dogs or cars. How could I prevent this?
  one word.....TRAINING....do not allow the nipping at the heels as a pup (if you get one that young) and do not allow them to EVER chase a bike/car/cycle/anything....and i have never had a problem training it out of ones that i got as rescues that had been allowed to do it....
• At times, I can't be home for as much as 6 hours a day. Will the BC mind?

that depends on what you do w/ it when you are home....if the dog has no outlet for their energy and intelligence, you're in a heap of trouble....also, they can be "vindictive" (and i don't care what anyone here says on that, i have witnessed it myself)....if they feel they have been treated "unfairly" they will do something they know is wrong and sometimes it can be quite severe (another story)....

will add more later

personally, think loooonnnngggg and hard b/4 getting a BC....i have 5 and will never be w/out at least one, but a friend who has had dogs all her life has a pup from my girl and she says that if it weren't for me being there for her 24/7 this pup would have been gone along time ago...she knows she would never have gotten/get thru all that her girl can throw at her, but she's learning alot by owning her....

you might want to try going thru a rescue as they will be able to place the right level dog for what you want (and start w/ an adult)

oh, and like Laurelin mentioned, they thrive on the partnership w/ their human...4 of mine are w/ me all the time and the 5th is w/ my husband all the time...sometimes playing, sometimes training, sometimes just "hanging out"....

 

[Lonewolfblue]

1. As mentioned above, females are generally more serious about working. My Nell is a very good example of that, lol. BC's need work to do, and plenty of exercise.

2. I don't think that whether you have a male or a female, that either one of them get's into fights more than the other. It's all in your training and socializing. My Nell is shy of men because she's never been around men til I got her. But as for females, kids, dogs, cats, etc., she's great. And she is the type of dog that tends to calm an aggressive dog down as well. She would also make a very good therapy dog as well, with a little bit more training. But overall, she's an awsome girl.

3. As for the herding, I wouldn't worry too much about that. But as for the cars, etc, you need to train him/her what she can herd and what she can't. My Nell does herd people together, but it's not like my Cattle Dog where she actually goes after your heels. Nell doesn't nip to herd.

4. As for the time away, my Nell has no problems being crated when I'm not home. I've gone as long as 9 hours a couple times with no issues, but usually am not away for more than 3.5 hours at a time. My work is close to home, so I have the luxury of coming home for lunch every day. So, if properly crate trained, and get's enough exercise and care when you are home, they shouldn't have any problems with you being away for a period of time.

Overall, I really love the BC's. If I didn't have Betty, I probably would have got another one that was here locally on Craigslist. They were moving and couldn't take him, and was free. Shelties are another awsome dog as well, might also look into them as well. My Chloe is such a lovebug, lol. She loves everyone, and everything. Neither her nor Nell chase cats either, as they were brought up with cats. But Betty is another story, lol.