Love Border Collies... looking for less hyper (how much, shepherd, terrier)
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I'm looking to get a younger dog (8-12 months) and am really interested in Border Collies (had one when I was 12-21, now 26). The one thing that's really causing me to pause, is that I've read they're very energetic and need a lot of exercise or "work" all the time.
Now, with my last dog (assuming some BC mix, since we got her at a rescue), we lived in a 2nd floor apt and took her out to run around once a day for about 30-60 minutes and that was enough for her.
Now, I know that not all are the same and that maybe what we had was an exception to the rule, but I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for dogs with similar temperament and appearance to BC's that might require less activity.
Contact the rescues and let them know you'd like a more laid back BC. I agree with Viral, that's just in the nature of a BC. But humans have been breeding things out of their genetics so long it shouldn't be too hard to find one that's lost it's natural herding drive.
Rescues usually have their dogs a while and know them well. They'll know if one is laid back and another is hyper. I also second getting an adult. Once all that puppy energy is run out they can settle in nicely and you get to skip the terrible puppy stage - housebreaking, chewing your furniture, the intense energy level, etc.
I would check with the rescues as sometimes they have a dog that is not hyper like the typical border collie. There is a very sweet young smooth coat border collie that comes to the dog park and she is not the typical hyper BC. She runs around and plays at the dog park then is fine at home and her owners both work.
Another breed you might check out is the English Shepherd as it can look alot like a border collie. It is a herding breed meaning it does require alot of exercise and a job to do but they do tend to be less obsessive about things then border collies are. Once again a rescue may know of a more layed back dog as not all are super active .
Herding breeds in general need alot of exercise AND alot of mental stimulation to keep them out of trouble. But as with any breed there are exceptions and rescues may have the perfect dog for you. As some have suggested maybe an older dog would work out even though the breed tends to stay pretty active for most of its life.
I live in a condo and have a border collie X cattle dog even at 13 she remains an active dog and a month ago I had to have my Border collie X springer spainel mix put to sleep due to cancer. I was told neither would do well in a condo with out a yard. I feel time to spend with a dog is more important then a yard and I have plenty of that so for 13 years we have done great but please be honest with yourself about how much time you have for such an active breed. If you lie about that you will be unhappy as the dog WILL find its own entertainment and you probably will not like it.
I would suggest a Sheltie(miniature collie). I had one for almost fifteen years and they're great dogs that only require normal everyday playing and walking. There's a sheltie rescue in our area,but don't know if there's one in yours.
it depends on how much less active you want the dog. i dont have border collie experience but my australian shepherd is a pretty similar breed. they also need a lot of activity and have tons of energy but from what i hear its slightly less active than a border collie.
find a good breeder and buy a puppy that you can mold into your lifestyle from when its very young. the breeder i got my dog from appears to have a couple of litters planned for this winter. if you are interested i can give you her info. you will not find a better looking dog in a shelter.
Last edited by CaptainNJ; 11-10-2009 at 07:45 PM..
I would suggest a Sheltie(miniature collie). I had one for almost fifteen years and they're great dogs that only require normal everyday playing and walking. There's a sheltie rescue in our area,but don't know if there's one in yours.
I grew up with Shelties---four to be exact. They are high energy dogs. You simply had an exception to the rule.
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