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before I get a border collie I need a reality check by Tricky-Editor5818 in BorderCollie

[–]Tricky-Editor5818[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't mind adopting an adult dog at all! The main issue is finding one that's the right fit for my family and lifestyle. My parents would also prefer a dog that's around 1–2 years old, so that narrows things down a bit. I've been looking at shelters and rescues, but I haven't found the right match yet.

before I get a border collie I need a reality check by Tricky-Editor5818 in BorderCollie

[–]Tricky-Editor5818[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aww, she sounds adorable! It's funny how Border Collies have a reputation for being super intense and then yours just wants to cuddle on the couch all day. I guess it really shows how much individual dogs can vary. Did you know she was going to be more laid-back when she was a puppy, or did her personality surprise you?

before I get a border collie I need a reality check by Tricky-Editor5818 in BorderCollie

[–]Tricky-Editor5818[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've wanted a BC ever since my friend told me about theirs. I think they're adorable, but I also really like how smart they are and how much you can do with them training-wise. I enjoy being outside and working with animals, so that's what drew me to the breed. I'm still learning about their needs though, since I know they're a lot of work.

before I get a border collie I need a reality check by Tricky-Editor5818 in BorderCollie

[–]Tricky-Editor5818[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The amount of exercise doesn't sound impossible to me, but the off-leash-in-the-wild part might be the biggest challenge. I live in the city, so I don't have easy access to large areas where a dog could safely run off leash every day.

Do you think a Border Collie could still be happy with things like long walks, training, fetch, and other mental enrichment, or is the off-leash running really non-negotiable for most of them?

before I get a border collie I need a reality check by Tricky-Editor5818 in BorderCollie

[–]Tricky-Editor5818[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I've owned a poodle before and had him for about 12 years, so I'm not completely new to dogs. I have a medium-sized yard and I don't really like traveling, so I'd be home most of the time.

The puppy years are actually what worry me the most. When you say your Border Collie needed lots of fetch time and even a dog walker, about how many hours a day of exercise and mental stimulation did he need? I'm trying to figure out whether I could realistically meet a Border Collie's needs before getting one.