smidey Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 hi all. I have been thinking about getting a dog for some time & have finally decided to get one. I had dogs myself as a kid but lost interest really but this is not for me. Now, there are a few musts for this new addition to our family. I have three children, it will primarily belong to my 10 year old son who I know will spend most of his time with it as he is a pocket knife carrying, gumboot wearing hunting type kid. We have about 6 acres, 20 odd hens & 2 angus yearlings so there is plenty of other animals around which may or may not be a good thing. It must be an out side dog and not a pansy little yappy thing that resembles a mobile mop. It must not be a massive thing like rottie or ridgeback type beast and preferably on the quieter side rather than a full on barker. I am thinking a border collie would be a good choice, what do you think? All thoughts welcomed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 A short haired collie could be a great addition to the family if you and your kids are prepared to spend the time with it. They are incredibly smart dogs and need plenty of exercise and stimulation (not just a big open space to run around in on their own). Don't underestimate the amount of time you'll end up spending with it, and as keen as your kids may be now once the novelty wears off it may fall back on you (as seems to happen a lot with kids and pets!). If your son is into hunting then why not consider a gun dog like a pointer, weimaraner or vizsla (like ours)? Probably similar in energy, size and neediness to a collie, but in a few years time when your boy is a little older and may want to start trading the pocket knife for something a bit gruntier you could start training the dog for hunting ducks, phesants or deer. Even without the training vizsla and weis make great family pets as they are really nice natured and intelligent. What ever you go for, research the breed as much as possible and visit several breeders before making a decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver21 Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 SPCA special? lol i just got one myself. Labradors always seem like an attractive choice to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#!CrunchBang Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 From my experience collies can nip, I'd go with a Labrador or Pointer type dog myself. Collies are more of a stock moving working dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 A collie will attempt to herd things - the yearlings, chickens, kids etc. :roll: My son has a blue merle border collie and she needs a LOT of exercise. They go to the dog park 2x daily plus other walks (despite the fact the dog has the run of the yard all day while they are at work) as she needs the interaction. She has started agility classes too and loves it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackp Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 growing up we always had border collies as pets/farm dogs. they definitely need a lot of excersise or they will dig up your lawn, detroy anything they can get hold of and sometimes become a bit 'nippy'. if you don't think you can give them enough excersise (a decent run daily) you might want to consider getting a collie crossed with labrador or retriever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 They go to the dog park 2x daily plus other walks (despite the fact the dog has the run of the yard all day while they are at work) as she needs the interaction. Exactly, its not so much exercise as stimulation and "work". As you said, they've been bred to heard things and love doing it, so you need to keep their minds occupied so they don't get bored which usually leads to the destruction of something. A friend had two when we were in school and never had any problems with nipping. I admire people who take on SPCA dogs, but it is a big gamble. You're never 100% sure what the parents are, which means it could have inherited any number of behavioural traits or genetic problems. That said I've seen many lovely pound dogs, they can be great dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 We have a border collie, he's been in real trouble lately. First he "broke" his back left leg, it healed, then he broke his right back leg :facepalm: he's never been able to walk properly since. But he does have a lot of character. HE LOVES sport. He has a 6th sense for it. He could be sleeping and we put the tv to mute, change it to golf and he immediately gets up. Just sits there and barks wags his tail... He's learning to spell too "G-O-L-F" :slfg: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pufferfishnz Posted September 6, 2011 Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 go to this website: http://www.nzkc.org.nz/dogselect.html it has all the dog breeder, small, medium, big, bigger and massive. The information includes the size, lifespan, grooming (if any) exercise, trainability, watch dog, protection ability, what their original function was eg lap dog, gun dog, working dog etc. History of the breed, temperment and upkeep. Also has breeding standards, not really needed unless you want a breeding dog. This site also has breeders names and number so you can contact the ones in your area, Super helpful. They have a cat one too if anyone ever needs it! :happy2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trilobite Posted September 6, 2011 Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 I have border collies, they can develop obsessive behaviors if its not nipped in the bud. Show bred lines tend to have lower drives than working lines. Good exercise is essential, they need more than a casual half hour walk and do best with mental stimulation, you could train it to herd your chickens around. They would definitely love going on adventures with your son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted September 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 thanks for all of your replies, very interesting. The time spent isn't as much of an issue for us as we home school the children so are always home the majority of the time. my son is a devoted animal boy & has already proven that he sticks with his pets over the last 3 to 4 years with his orpingtons. If your son is into hunting then why not consider a gun dog like a pointer, weimaraner or vizsla (like ours)? Probably similar in energy, size and neediness to a collie, but in a few years time when your boy is a little older and may want to start trading the pocket knife for something a bit gruntier you could start training the dog for hunting ducks, phesants or deer. from the research we've done the BC doesn't get as big as the vizsla or pointers etc so that suits us better for the sized dog we want. the hunting aspect is a good one but the guys i shoot with already have theirs & it is alot easier for me if they continue to do so if i was going to get a dog/s for myself it would be pig hunting dogs as i do prefer that over duck shooting. as for the hens, i welcome it to herd them as that will mean they will stay away from the house all of the time rather than most of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godric Posted September 6, 2011 Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 my border collie must be weird.. it was ment to be a farm dog but did not like the farm :slfg: would rather sleep then do any-thing else.. but wants pats 24/7. but very easy to train she is in dog obedience now and has a lot of tricks she can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 6, 2011 Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 from the research we've done the BC doesn't get as big as the vizsla or pointers etc so that suits us better for the sized dog we want. The pointers and weis are a bit bigger than collies, but the vizslas seem to vary a bit, ours is quite small, certainly no bigger than a collie, but I've seen them quite a bit bigger too. On the subject of size, I met a woman with a MASSIVE great dane at the part a couple of months ago, it was enormous, and she said they're actually popular dogs for apartment dwellers as despite their size they're really lazy! I think the collie would be a great dog for your situation, good luck trying to keep it as an outside only dog... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 great dane & apartment life, what else would people that live in apartments have. :slfg: as for keeping it outside, that is the rule. I won't put up with that, whether it requires a electronic collar or a 223 it won't be inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matto Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 I won't put up with that, whether it requires a electronic collar or a 223 it won't be inside. :rotf: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted September 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 so we have had "jordie" who is a 5 month old boy for a day now & still have not heard a single bark come out of his mouth. Got to love eye dogs! He has been great, the kids have managed to wear him & themselves out completely and he fetches a tennis ball, plays soccer & sits on command so hopefully we can continue his training & create a really pleasant animal to live with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Good stuff!! An important part of their upbringing at that age is socialisation with other dogs. I'm not sure where the good areas in whangarei are, but see if you can find somewhere to take him where he can interact with various other dogs. Its good for them, and guaranteed to wear them out too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted September 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Good stuff!! An important part of their upbringing at that age is socialisation with other dogs. I'm not sure where the good areas in whangarei are, but see if you can find somewhere to take him where he can interact with various other dogs. Its good for them, and guaranteed to wear them out too!! cool, thanks for that. he has come from a breeder that had around 20 collies & we went to the agility show/comp in mangawhai on sunday & he was totally chilled out with all the other dogs around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted September 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Zach & his new pal Jordie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 He's lovely - always had a soft spot for borders... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted September 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 the shine did rub off a little today when he had a go at one of our hens but hey, that happens & he will learn. We are enjoying him very much so far but it is early days yet, at least we have the space & time he needs so it is looking promising for him being a well mannered dog for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Aww Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 You know we will expect to to see a video of a chook version of A Dog's Show, don't you? For those of you too young to have any idea what I am on about... http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/a-dogs-show-1981 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted September 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 i would also like to see that & i do remember the dog show & i was born in 1980. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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