Border Collies

Mese

I hear people say how much hard work Border Collies are and thats why so many are in rescue

I find that BC's are a pleasure to train because they are so intelligent they pick up everything very easily ?
If my three have any faults then its down to my lack of knowledge in training them in the first place , and not a fault in the dog

so why are border collies considered harder than other breeds to keep ?

pawzaddict

Personally, I think they are tough if you are not used to such a strong willed dog and do not get one with a good genetic background. Harvick is border collie/lab mix and his dad (the border collie) is a dang nutso. Harvick took on those genes so he has severe behavioral issues which we have been and currently still work on. I have been working harder with him and he has been good and still this morning we had a horrible incident with him and one of our other dogs randomly.

I think when people get BC's from parents who are not from a specific line (or whatever it is in BC's :P ), they do not have the greatest drive, rather a crazy one lol. I have met a few BC's that are crazy and about half that are aggressive. I have also been bitten by one while walking it...not sure why.

However, after all that said, I do not see many in shelters at all. If they are in shelters I think its because of what you said....they are smart, they need training and structure, and some need a lot more work (My wonderful boy Harvick for example) and some people are not strong enough to own the breed.

fawkese1

i don't think that any of the herding breeds make good first dogs for most people... i've always liked all the herding breeds, and the intelligence and drive aren't often found in other breeds of dogs, but i think that often first time dog owners don't really have a concept of the actual daily needs that a dog may have, much less a dog who's original purpose for existing was to work all day long... lots of breeds end up in shelters... and i've seen quite a few BCs, aussies and heelers... all high energy, and high intelligence in a package ready to work for you for endless hours...

Mikey

They are gorgeous I cannot imagine why in the first place. My thoughts:

1) most unknown mixes are chocked up to 'border collie mixes-I laugh at how BC's are the 'fluzy's' of the dog world as almost all mixes are BC mixes.

2) high energy-they are obvioulsly high energy so people don't want the work.

My dog Max was a pb BC and Molly was a mix. TBH they are not for new dog owners but they are wonderful dogs-high energy of course but how hard is it to tire a dog out? I think, though never have owned one, a lab is much harder. And though cute not half as smart!

I also think too many people decide they want a smart dog (not realizing the dog will outsmart their dumb butt) and get a BC only to rehome when the dog figures them out. I'd say honestly unless your a brilliant dog owner (like you!) then BC's are something to be avoided for most sadly