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I artified "Sam" a bit. It's not my collie but it cant have run.
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Another collie, this time Jake
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@br
@capt kronos
Couple play around pix... I'm in my sponge period at the moment.
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Quick question, why are you planning on getting the dog?
Quick question, why are you planning on getting the dog?
I got mine because I was feeling left out on STW.
Before you make the decision, go down your local trails and practice collecting dogshit in a bag.
If you are comfortable with doing this, then you are ready to become a dog owner.
[i]Before you make the decision, go down your local trails and practice collecting dogshit in a bag[/i]
Spoken like a true non owner of a dog. Picking up your own dog's turds is nothing like picking up someone elses dog's turds. Dunno why, but it isn't.
If you want a 'trail' dog, go collie! They'll survive quite happily on an hour a day exercise, as long as you engage their brains with games and training - I usually do around 30mins during the walk, and another 30 mins in the house or garden. They are great fun to train, as the learn [i]really[/i] quickly, but they will find the most annoying, destructive thing to amuse themselves if you let them make their own entertainment. I reckon that most of the problems people have with collies are because they exercise them physically, but not mentally - you have to remember it's generally regarded as the smartest breed there is (although you'd be forgiven for doubting that if you saw our younger one sometimes!)
All our collies have been good with kids - they have to be as I work with young people and the dogs are with me. I wouldn't get a rescue collie as a first experience of the breed, as training bad habits out of a collie is far harder than training good habits into a puppy. If you do go collie, I'd recommend reading Barbara Sykes [i]Understanding Border Collies[/i] and thinking through the main features of your training regime before you collect your dog. If you get the first couple of months right, you'll be well on the way to having a brilliant companion for you and your family.
Our two enjoying the snow last week.
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My vote would be a husky or miniature husky (still a decent size) awesome fun dogs and little in the way of breeding defects.
Or a collie
please remember at this time of year, a doggie isn't just for Christmas, it's a gret position all year round 😀
or as I read on another website yesterday...
Park Ji-Sung, speaking for the Dog's Trust, reminded everyone that:
[i]"a dog is not just for Christmas - it also makes great sandwiches on Boxing Day"[/i]
Our two enjoying the snow on the Campsies last week
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Lab mixed with something enormous - a Labrasaurus
Still a puppy so no running yet but he's very very good with the toddler
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Should have had:
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My Lurcher Bonnie is expecting pups 14th Jan. I also have a pointer who is great, but I'm breeding from the Lurcher because she is..... well.. faster, stronger, much more amenable/trainable, less injury-prone, And round the house, she just chills. You really can't go wrong with a Lurcher.
i still say one of these! can also be used as a pavement clearing device as folk scarper to get away from the big doggie.
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Everyone else can give up now - heres a proper family/ action dog 😀
Collie for biddable, tough, family friendly dogs who'll run with bikes.
Both Stan of old and Ifor are excellent trail dogs. Not so much hard work really a couple of rides a week will tire them out and let you away with a couple of shortish walks a day other wise.
Folks come and ask for Ifor's 'guiding' skills out on the trails at Drumlanrig....
Can't go wrong with a collie IMO!
Can't go wrong with a collie IMO!
Unless you can't give them enough exercise and amusement as the op has already stated.
Collie will get plenty of entrtainment with a house full of kids and Ifor usaully copes with a half hour thru the week so long as he gets plenty more at the weekend.
The main thing with dogs is making sure they fit in the family pack in the right place. Buy a copy of Ceasers book and make a sensible set of rules for your own 'pack'; I never feed the dog til all the humans have finished - he does'nt get to beg and get's behind us when we arrive or leave anywhere. He's a very happy well balanced, polite dog although lots of mates tell me I was harsh on the dog when he was a pup, now he hardly needs to be on the lead and he's a totally chilled and friendly 2 year old dog.
This is more important than breed or anything else IMO. Maybe I've just been lucky with my dogs!