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Yes! Our last dog was a Border Collie, smartest dogs around. But they have to be kept interested, exercised a lot and generally paid attention to. Ours used to go everywhere with us, loved the car, ran to it when we were going out, saying "take me, take me too". They are bred to be sheepdogs and of course because they are bred to work sheep they need to be kept very fit if there are no sheep to deal with. They are loyal, good guards, and very intelligent. But intelligent means careful attention and LOTS of exercise. Ours did have a bit to do with sheep, but because of his early life he was really quite afraid of them!
The Pembroke and Cardigan corgis are cattle dogs (heelers), are smaller than Borders but have the same herding instincts, appied to cattle not sheep.
One thing, LS - whatever breed you choose (or a Heinz57 for that matter) do remember that if discipline is lacking and they chase or otherwise interfere with stock, a farmer will shoot them on the spot if they appear to be worrying stock or have the potential to do so. Next door has an elderly collie cross who is deaf, and we have had serious problems with it because it can't be called off if it gets out and comes over to us.
........ smartest dogs around. But they have to be kept interested, exercised a lot and generally paid attention to.
I love Border Collies, they have wonderful temperaments and are one of my favourite breeds.
I don't think I'd ever have one though as I wouldn't want the commitment of keeping it constantly entertained.
If you do have a BC LS your son could take it to dog agility classes,
that would be fantastic for both of them.....BCs love doing something called flyball.
There used to to be 3 collies on the farm here where I live and like Jenny says they need to be kept entertained and need lots of exercise.
There aren't any sheep on the farm so the collies used to like to round me and my dog up when we used to meet them out walking round the fields.
Of course there are exceptions to the rule, I do know a BC that would quite happily sit on the sofa all day watching TV.
Despite having ample exercise and stimulation some BCs can still be absolute loony tunes!!
My friend used to have a lot to do with a Border Collie rescue centre, many ended up there because they'd wrecked their owner's house through lack of stimulation.
Trouble with labs is that they are really greedy dogs and will get overweight on practically nothing! So that's more exercise, very careful about diet and so on. I have seen far too many very fat labs about, particularly the older ones, and it is actually cruel to let them get overweight. They are, after all, working dogs, and should actually be working in the shooting field! Very nice dogs, but again, a serious commitment to their health is needed.
Trouble with labs is that they are really greedy dogs and will get overweight on practically nothing! So that's more exercise, very careful about diet and so on. I have seen far too many very fat labs about, particularly the older ones, and it is actually cruel to let them get overweight. They are, after all, working dogs, and should actually be working in the shooting field! Very nice dogs, but again, a serious commitment to their health is needed.
Tibetan Terrier (but long-coated, and double coated too, so grooming and shedding of hair can be expected, very intelligent)
Schnauzer (spelling?) - small, good temperament, nice wiry coat, good fun
Wire-haired Fox Terrier - very "traditional" dog, brave and lively
Border, Norfolk or Norwich Terriers - again, wire coated, excellent temperaments, good sense of humour, fun!
To be honest LS, if your lad has his heart set on a Dalmatian, that is a biggish dog and quite a commitment (as all dogs are, of course).
Have you rejected the idea of a dog from a re-homing centre? The centres that specialise in particular breeds (eg greyhounds) are probably your best bet because the people running them will know the breed and what is needed to keep it fit, happy and well-trained. But some dogs from these centres need specialist care because of their background. The staff will know which dogs are ready to go to new homes (even novice ones) and those which are not.
Good luck!!
PS I'd avoid Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers (sorry FF!). They are both small dogs who think they are German Shepherds or Rottweilers, and they can run rings round most even slightly indulgent owners!
Dogs ran free at home. I'm not a novice owner just a novice controller.
Over here, they seem to have to be controlled more and I'm not sure my boy is big enough to handle a dalmatian and I don't want to end up doing all the work.
LS, they have to be "controlled" more here because (a) they will be shot if they worry stock, (b) you will be sued if they bite someone (c) they will be killed if they run into the road and (d) with a relatively restricted environment they can develop not just stuff like furniture-destroying, but also become quite aggressive. It isn't the physical handling of the dog (eg not being pulled over when he's on the lead!) but the willingness to spend time training the dog to answer commands and be reliable and a good home companion.
We are lucky because we live on a farm and to an extent our dog could run free - but we still restricted him, particularly in the lambing season, when if sheep were lambing in the fields, as opposed to a lambing shed, the temptation for a dog to go for the afterbirth and by extension the lamb itself could be very great.
The biggest commitment to a dog is training, and training takes time!
Consistency as well. My dogs and I have had a gentleman's agreement mostly
I like the way our lurcher stands in the porch to have his lead and outdoor collar taken off and for us to go through, then he comes in - we still have the odd grey area but we at least must have done one thing right. I couldn't manage anything too clever though. I wanted a GSD but we decided we didn't have the time to invest in that kind of working dog if you will.
Maybe when the kids are older. _________________ Greet people with four kisses - one for each cheek... Duke Ellington
My dog is a bit like the kids - listens to the bits that he wants to listen to and resolutely ignores the rest.
Actually, the dog listens more than the kids, to be honest.
I was a bit worried about getting a dog four years ago (never had one before and this one is actually my daughter's - she wanted one from the age of two and was promised one, too). I am so glad we just got on and did it because I can no longer imagine life without him.
You really must consider a Border Terrier, LS. Known as a big dog in a smaller dog's body. Could be the solution you need for your son - he will get all that heart and energy and character and life from it without the potential of unmanageable size (and poos, let's be honest). _________________ Winner Galway 2008 Comp
Winner Cheltenham Comp 2009
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