Jul
07
Should I adopt a border collie or an Australian cattle dog? ?
ByI am a college student and I want to adopt a dog. I’m looking at border collies who are an active dog. I’ll be apartment living for 2 years and he won’t have much space during the day. I run 5 miles 3 times a week. Is this enough exercise to keep a collie sane? I’ve heard they get neurotic in small spaces without enough exercise. I’m looking at an Australian cattle dog as well and I’ve got to make a decision soon. Please Help!
11 Comments
July 7th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
I hear theses dogs need a lot of exercise or they will go nuts there brilliant dogs check on line and read up about this type of dog before you go and get one
July 7th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
well boarder collies and cattle dog are working dogs and need stuff to stimulate them,the collie should be okay if you also walk it in the morning and before bed and pay fetch or something,maybe a mix breed collie would be better because a mix breed may be calmer and able to handle apartment living,make sure and leave out lots of toys for it to play with,a lab or retriever are good dogs to run with and so are german shepard(i have one and he runs 3 times a week with ny boyfriend),or a jack russel
July 7th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
BCs turn insane and destructive if not exercised daily. They are not like your average dog; they need constant mental stimulation, whether it be by training, and definately a lot of exercise. They ARE the world’s smartest dog breed.
) It doesn’t sound like a good idea to get such a dog if you are living in an apartment as they need lots of room to run around.
There are many other active dogs that don’t need as much attention.
If not, then I’d go with the Cattle dog.
You’ll need to have lots and lots of time to pay attention to each of these breeds; if you can’t, then be prepared to pay for damage bills.
July 7th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Neither … a Border collie is a working dog that needs almost constant mental and physical stimulus … Cattle dogs the same. If you are a college student, can I please suggest, with no intention of sarcasm or rudeness I promise, a goldfish or other low maintenance pet that does not need your attention all hours of the day. Adopting a dog will undo the good intentions you have by adopting a dog … it will not work and will probably end up back at the adoption centre again because you don;t have the time to care properly for it. Enjoy your student time and do the things that students should be free to do … which the responsibility of an animal such as a dog will put an end to.
July 7th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
I personally wouldn’t keep either of these breeds in an apartment as I don’t think it would be fair to the dog. That’s not to say that they wouldn’t survive – just that their lives wouldn’t be as happy and fulfilled as living with someone with a big backyard – the bigger the better.
Both of these breeds are incredibly smart and need more than a run for a few miles 3 times a week (believe me 5 miles would be nothing to these types of breeds). I believe that they would go insane if that is all you are intending to do with them. These dogs not only need physical exercise *** daily*** but also mental exercise. If you don’t provide both of these I do think you will have an extremely neurotic and unhappy dog.
I have an Australian Kelpie, very similar in nature and needs to these breeds and he has 5 acres to run around on – and believe me he does. People will tell you that if you don’t give these types of dogs a job to do that they will find one for themselves, and you mightn’t like the job they give themselves. This is true – my Kelpie has assigned himself the job of chasing every truck and ute with a dog in the back that goes past the property. He does his job very well and misses very few vehicles. Luckily for me this doesn’t have a negative impact and he is perfectly safe as he is able to chase them from behind the fence.
I think that there are other breeds out there that you should be looking at instead of these – breeds which will thrive on your 5 mile / 3 times a week runs and apartment life. Borders and ACDs (and Kelpies for that matter) are not the breeds for you.
July 7th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
I lost my Australian Cattle Dog not too long ago and I have to say, he was the best dog I have ever had in my life. That would be my pick, of course.
You do not have to have a huge place, you just need to make sure you exercise the dog enough. Can you split the 15 miles up between 7 days a week? It’s not quite the same, I know but better for the dog.
Daily walks and lots of play, i.e, chasing a ball or Frisbee will help release the pent up energy. Also, you can consider an adult instead of a puppy. I think it would be better for both of you if you got a dog 1-2yrs+. Still lots of energy to go around but hopefully out of the puppy stage.
Best of luck in your search.
I guess I’m odd man out here, but I owned my ACD from about 1 1/2 yrs old. Daily romps in the park, playing with the tennis ball (until he nearly dropped) and obedience training kept him quite happy. This is a reason I suggested an older dog. You don’t have the time for a pup. A dog can live anywhere as long as you provide enough exercise and mental stimulation.
July 7th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
You should get a Border Collie……… Cattle Dogs have a bad Habit of biting people on the ankle or calf if they see them running. My brother had to get stitches because he was running from one and it bit right through his leg. His owner told us that it was in his blood, that is how they would round up the stray sheep or cattle.
July 8th, 2010 at 12:54 am
Unfortunately both these dogs are classed as working dogs whch basically means that thatthey require exercise on a daily basis as well as stimulationtion.In many countries people live in apartments and thats fine but l would look at the non=sporting breeds no matter how much you may want the border or cattle dog.As you are in College have you the time on a daily basis to exercise the dog,go to Obedience classes once a week?.The breeders of these dogs will tell you the same as l have if they are reputable.l am not suggesting you get a toy dog but consider your options more carefully as a bored dog will become destructive exhibit bad behaviour and other horrid traits you do not want.Where are you going to leave the dog when not at home?Crating a dog day in and out will not work with these breeds.In College you have a ton of activities you will want to do whether dating,partying,studying etc but what about your pet.who looks after it.In my College years l had to live without the benefit of dogs as l lived in a dorm and then a house with other students however l was lucky as my parents had my dogs and l could see them during vacaton time and enjoy time with them.You may not like cats but they do not require regular walks etcSince l know the above breeds intimately as a breeder l would not sell to you in your situation and l do not mean this in a nasty way or am l being offensive l just know how much execise and activity they require.Remember the cattle dog is a one man dog which means it bonds with you and only you.It will be very very protective as actually will the border collie so look at a few other breeds which are classed as Utility or toy breeds and can cope with a little less exercise although still require a DAILY walk.l do not think l have helped you much but l am trying to paint a scenario for you of a wrecked house and loopy dogs that in the end you may have to re-house.
July 8th, 2010 at 1:36 am
I currently own both a Border Collie and an Australian Cattle Dog. I can tell you from first hand experience that these breeds are very demanding.
Both breeds that you are looking at need a lot of exercise physically and mentally.
The Australian Cattle Dog does not typically require the amount of physical or mental activity as a Border Collie, but is way above average compared to many other breeds.
The Border Collie needs to be almost constantly entertained in every way shape and form. Border Collies are considered to be the smartest breed of dog. They are extremely demanding and probably not an appropriate choice for a college student.
If you have really thought out the decision to adopt a dog, and are fully aware that this animal is going to depend on you to be there everyday to fulfill all of their needs without exception, look into a breed that will have enough get up and go to sustain your runs but will also be okay curled up in a ball at your feet when you’re studying.
My suggestion is that you adopt an adolescent dog (1-3) that would not require such a demanding schedule as a puppy.
I would look into breeds that are friendly, small-medium in size, energetic enough to sustain your runs but not need constant stimulation, as well as a dog that has minimal grooming needs.
The Basenji comes to mind, but might not be a perfect fit for you since I don’t know all the details of your life style.
Please consider doing a lot of research into any breed you choose so both you and the dog have a happy and healthy life together.
July 8th, 2010 at 2:04 am
hi,
to know what type of dog will suit you, you can use this dog finder match up http://tinyurl.com/6gkcok
the goal here is to help you figure out what type of dog best suits you and your personality. The results of the match up will suggest certain breeds.
hope this helps
July 8th, 2010 at 2:43 am
This is probably not a good time for you to get a dog unless it’s an older dog or one that doesn’t require a lot of exercise. Both breeds are working dogs and require daily rigorous exercise to keep them happy. I occasionally meet up with a woman in the park in the a.m. who has 2 Australian cattle dogs that she exercises every morning for over an hour before she goes to work. They are beautiful, very active dogs.