Are collies good house pets

Answer 1

No! Border Collies are working dogs associated with farming. A collie engaged in herding sheep will think nothing of running a marathon every day herding. If they don't, therefore, get enough exercise and mental stimulation they will become upset and neurotic, and potentially destructive.

If you do want to keep a Border Collie and do not own sheep or live on a farm, you must make sure it is stimulated - long and frequent walks and runs (ideally two a day for several hours) are ideal, as are agility contests, which Border Collies love.

Finally, collies have a double layer coat, which is smooth on the top and rough underneath. This is because they have evolved in very cold climates, often working in snowy conditions. Therefore, most border collies will be too hot in a house and will enjoy being outside more, as long as they have a well built kennel to go into in case of bad weather. COUNTERPOINT - MOST COLLIES ARE NOT BORDER COLLIES ! Border Collies are considered a separate breed than 'regular' Collies. The typical Lassie type Collie is both larger and heavier than Border Collies. The above comments may well be true for the Border Collie, but are NOT true for the regular Collie subdivided into Rough and Smooth Collies. Lassie was a Sable and White Rough Collie. I have owned two of this breed at different times (no overlap), and will soon be taking on a 3rd.

Collies make excellent house pets. They are loyal, highly intelligent, sensitive, love children, and make wonderful companions. In spite of being large dogs, their gentleness and relaxed temperment makes them suitable even for small apartments - providing you walk them enough to get proper exercise OR have a fenced back yard for them to run and romp in (Far easier on the owner).

Collies' high intelligence, sweetness, and willing to please attitude make them easy to train - and you'll never have to worry about a Collie turning on you or 'going off' and chewing up a neighbor's child. Both of mine were in 'doggie heaven' around any crowd of kids and would tolerate any amount of childish poking, ear & tail pulling etc without showing signs of even noticing, much less so much as a growl. This in spite of the fact that neither was raised around children.

Collies are bread to have a Heart and Soul centered on the family and household (and flocks of animals if present). They are the best sort of guardian - highly protective, but equally highly discriminating over the action they take against any threat. Both of mine would tend towards warning a family member first (this was reinforced by training) before taking any direct action. They are superb readers of humans and their intents - and have the smarts to modify their actions accordingly.

I will admit: their winter undercoat is a real pain when they shed in the spring; plus you can also expect to spend an hour a week brushing out that long coat. But putting up with this single minus is a very small price to pay for the companionship of these highly intelligent and gentle warmhearted companions.

All the above assumes you spend the time and effort on basic training that ANY dog requires to be a decent 'doggie citizen', and the earlier the better once weaned. You will find your time and trouble investment in simply working with them has an incredible payoff - the more attention you give Collies, the smarter and more perceptive they become. By around 7 yrs or so they will be 'speaking' to you - not in English of course, but you will know EXACTLY what they mean. My last Collie went so far as to develop a strong sense of humor, and LOVED to play practical jokes on humans - to the vast amusement of my entire family. He is sorely missed; and we'll be staring again with a new Collie puppy soon.