I've never had a dog before but my husband was brought up with dogs and it desperate for one.
We have a son approaching 2.
We are thinking about getting a Border Collie, there are pups for sale locally from a farm so bred from working Collies.
This is the type of dog my husband had growing up and he has told me how great and obidenet they are. I'm just worried about effectivly adding another child to the family! Obviously I am aware of the commitment involved and more than happy with it - it is just the whole dog thing I am unsure of, having never had one before!
Answers:
i have just acquired a 9 week old border collie puppy myself, i have had quite a few pups around me whilst growing up when my sisters decided to get them, but i have never had a puppy as hyper as this one, which to me is saying something. she is very hyper, to the point where even i, a healthy 22 year old, have trouble keeping up with her.
she came from farm stock also, and even the breeders told me that usually farm stock do not make good house pets, expecially more so with young children as they tend to nip them and try and herd them like they would sheep or chickens.
this pup is great and very friendly, but even now at only 9 weeks her teething and playing nips hurt, i don't think that this would be suitable for a young child. as well as that, with having a young child, would you be able to commit to the walking / exercise that a border collie needs? when i went to pick my puppy up, the pups mother had just come back from a day herding sheep, which was a 3 mile walk from the field to the farm, she heard the word "walk" and was bouncing around and jumping up like a possessed thing wanting to go out again!!
border collies can also have behavourial problems once they grow older because their minds aren't stimulated enough, they are a very intellagent breed and it they arent kept stimulated then they can make their own fun instead.
this is my opinion only, but i dont think a border collie would be suitable for around such a child. maybe a softer dog, like a labrador, king charles, maybe even a GSD would be a bit more suitable?
Best family dog is a labrodor. We had one growing up and she was great. Just keep the pecking order, make sure the puppy is aware of its place and they will be ebst friends.
Working collies are delightfull dogs but may not be ideal around a 2 year old: they have got a very easy snap being trained to bite sheep heels ...
Consider less energetic and safer breeds:
cavalier king charles, labs, golden retriever, beagles ...
If you get the collie, just be aware of the potential problems and make sure he gets plenty of exercise and training.
Enjoy!
why do you need to get a dog,what happens if you want another child,then the dog may feel left out,dogs can rule your life as in you cant stay away you have to travel back to feed them etc,i know coz mine was my baby and yes i put her first,its a hard choice but i know you will make the right one best of luck mate.
A border collie might be a bit too hyper for a 2 year old. However greyhounds are the opposate. They are fast, yes, but not high strung 'go go go go'. They are happy just laying on a big ol beanbag chair. They also are very gentle. With a greyhound, you don't have to worry about it being too rough with the kids, but the opposate. the kid being too rough with it! If you do decide on a greyhound, you can adopt a racing greyhound when it retires. You'd be both saving a life, and have a wonderful pet! Save the border collie till when the kid grows older, faster, and just as hyper as a border collie.
well i have 6 dogs and they are very nice. i dont think it will harm anyone but it take alot of responsibility. dogs arent a and ful just go with the idea that your son and family is going to be safe cuz they wont let anyone hurt you ok so
good luck
it don't matter what dog you get i got a 8 week old German Shepherd when my daughter was 2 now he is 1 years old 8 and a half stone no fat on him he just loves my daughter hes her best friend they are always together its lovely to watch what ever dog you get you have to let them know who is the boss you can make any breed of dog into a wonderful family member
I don't think I would get a Border Collie with a small child as they are a lot of work they are a very clever dog so they do need a lot of attention and they do get bored easy I don't know what they are like with kids but I think the amount of work they need would put me off they can be very obedient if they are trained to be (same as any dog) I think with a small child I would consider something like a lab good luck with what you choose
I wouldn't get a border collie with a 2 year old border collies instinctively round up anything that moves especially children , If your not sure about a dog I would leave it for a while, pups are hard work and if you go to a rescue centre for a older dog you won't know it's back ground and temperament which could be bad news with a young child.
if you are prepared to put in the time and effort to looking after it they are great. I wouldnt be sitting her now if not for my first dog, he pulled my out of a pond when i was three.
border collies are great, but if your kid runs, the dog might nip his heels (in an attempt to herd him) because they are herding dogs. Still good though. i wouldn't recommend a german shepherd, because even though they are tolerant, their prey-drive may kick in and the dog could attack your kid.
i would suggest:
- golden retreiver
- king charles
- border collie is a good choice, (or collie/shepherd)
- pitbull (MUST be from reputable breeder and trained)
just dont get a rottweiler, dalmation, or mastiff.
you should feed the dog canidae, innova, wellness, merrick, solid gold, or orijen. i know the question isn't about this, but it will make a happier dog!
I've had dogs for all of my life and whilst border collies have the potential to be very obedient and extremely intelligent, they do need a lot of training to get there and a load of excercise to stay there. If you have time to walk at least an hour a day but preferably more then you should be ok, otherwise I would suggest a smaller breed. If excercise isn't too much of a problem I would have to suggest a lab - they still need about as much as a collie but I think they have a much more reliable temprament around kids. I have 3 and my nieces have rolled all over them and played with them since they could walk and there has never been any trouble.
Good luck!
I wouldnt worry bout it your husband works well with dogs
I have a dog and hes very fond of children
If theyre puppys its best as they will grown up with children :)
Good Luck xx
all these ppl suggesting a lab! did you they are just as likely to bite as any other breed. i dont think it matter on the breed you know, its how you treat the dog. have a look on the kennel club site, it recommends two types of dogs with children, i wont tell you what they are, but i think you'll be surprised!
Dogs with children are great so long as they are both properly trained and supervised from an early age.
A new puppy is like having another baby but they do grow up much more quickly! They are a lot of hard work and if you are at home with your son most of the time - most of the work will fall to you.
I would advise you to carefully research border collies before you get one especially as these pups come from working Collies. They will be very energetic and require A LOT of mental stimulation. Not really the best choice for a family with a 2 year old!
It may be wiser to buy from a pet source like an established breeder where they can match you with a calmer pup.
Working collies are very obidenet dogs but may not be ideal around a 2 year old: they are rather easy to train
but considering if you intend to have expand your family a collie might bot be the best choice in breed ... you may need to Consider a less energetic breed:
cavalier king charles,spring spaniels, labs, golden retriever, beagles,jack russels etc ...
collies as a breed can occur potential problems and this can be avioded by plenty of exercise and training.
i hope i helped .. but i hope any thingi have writren has not put you off working collies they are a delitful breed and very obidient and loyal..
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