We are getting a pure bred Collie puppy on November1st. Our 14yr old Husky is starting to go down hill and I want another puppy before he does go to learn from him. Anyways, I was telling a couple of people what kind of puppy we are getting they have all said that Collie's can be temperamental and snap easily expectally with kids. Well all the different sites I have looked at all said the opposite. That collies are actually good family dogs and are good with children.
I was wondering are Collies good or bad family dogs when children ( 3 & 4 are the younger ones and they know how to act with dogs) are around?
( I sure hope they are good with children, I just fell in love with the puppy we have picked out!)
Michelle your not out of bounds :) We have thought about it and our senior dog loves being around other dogs! He loves playing with other dogs while we are out and enjoys it when my dad brings thier dog over. Our Husky has a litter of playful kittens that have moved into his dog house with him, uses him as thier playground and sleeps with him every night. Also our Husky is only outside and the puppy with be both in and outside.. but mainly inside. I mainly want the puppy to learn the boundries of staying in the yard and hopefully pick up on the non barking all the time like some dogs can do.
Thank you. The Collies I have been around were always good loving dogs, that's why I was seeking others opiinions.
Trust me our Husky will NOT get pushed aside or ignored. The way our family was brought up was when the older dog was starting to get "up there" bring a new one around to "learn" from the older one. That's how my grandparents and my parents did it and this is the second time I will being doing it ( brought our husky home 2 yrs before my cocker spaniel passed). I love my husky WAY too much to ever do that! He has been with me longer than any of my kids other than the oldest, even longer than my husband ;) He is in good hands and will spend every day until he goes being loved and treated the way he deserves. Thank you for your concerns :)
very 1st thought was already posted by Michelle. It is truly a hardship for the older dog. Puppyhood is extremely wearing on the older dog.
& the fact that you are allowing the pup to be an inside/outside dog will create issues. The old dog will want to join the family, too.
Been there, lived all of this....& regretted it deeply.
As for collies, I've known both temperaments. Depends on the breed lines & how the pup is raised.
I know you didn't ask this question, but please think first before putting an energetic and possibly annoying, jumping, nipping puppy in your home with a senior dog. Would your aging husky enjoy this situation or suffer endlessly for it. How does he deserve to live out his golden years-- in peace and quiet with full human attention or with constant nagging from a young pup? Sorry if I stepped out of bounds. We have a senior dog and had to wrestle with that question, as well.
I've gotta agree w/ the two moms who commented about the older dog/pup scenario. My BIL and SIL did this exact same thing and their older dog really suffered for it. He became withdrawn, unsocial (when he previously was a very social dog) and snippy. He kind of lost the will to live after that and declined pretty rapidly. :(
We always had border collies growing up. we had 3 in total. 2 were totally non snappy, 1 was very snappy. I think it is true of all dogs - temperaments are different. I think they are great dogs, but they can, as you probably know have some health problems, especially the Merle kinds, they can have some genetic issues
I agree with Michelle. Getting a little puppy to be around an old dog in the decline of his life will make those last few months miserable for him and your old dog may turn around and hurt that puppy just to get some peace.
We have a rough collie and I adore him. We had him for about 3 years before we had our first child. He is just the sweetest dog and listens so well. He is great with our kids and the only time he has hurt them is by knocking them over by accident. We have always treated him well and have tought our kids how to be nice to him. They are herding dogs so they can nip, like if I am holding a baby I notice he would try to nip the baby's feet(noticed with my first) I guess to try to get me to sit back down with baby. They are smart and have lots of energy so you have to be willing to spend a lot of time with them. They also require grooming. Puppies require so much time I hope your older dog doesn't spend his last days being "pushed aside."
Getting a puppy should be fine with a well socialized dog, but I would not let the puppy bully him, puppies are well puppies, and if the older dog will not put him in his place, you will need to do it.
Collies are members of the Herding group, and one of the ways they herd is by 'nipping' at their livestock. This can sometimes translate to 'mouthiness' with people esp young children who can get excited around dogs. Because you are getting a puppy & already have kids, you have the opportunity to train through any situation that comes up as the puppy grows.
Don't encourage any mouth play with the pup & make sure to deal with anything that might lead to unwanted behavior in an adult dog. If you have any problems or questions contact a trainer to work through things.
All breeds have stereotypic behaviors bit it doesn't mean they are limited to them! Best of luck. Feel free to message me w/any ?'s. T. (breeder Rhodesian Ridgebacks)
We had a collie growing up named Lady and she was super lovable and kind.
We inherited an older Collie when I was a kid. He was temperamental and did snap at us. My parents always thought that had much more to do with an older breed that never lived with kids being moved to a house with four children than the breed of dog. He only stayed with us a year because he was getting more and more temperamental. I know a few families that have collies and I have never herd a complaint about temperament. They do nip occasionally, but it's not aggressive. They are herding animals and sometimes "herd" the kids when out playing.
we dont have a collie but we have a border collie. they are amazing dogs to have. just start teaching the puppy young. decide how your family will teach the puppy and stick with it. collies are bread to nip not bite. my border collie will nip my daughters hands when she is running (never hard enough to hurt her). i think it is a good family choice :)
I have a smooth haired collie......she does snap if bothered too much, but has never bitten or drawn blood. just kinda made the kids aware they were getting on her nerves. :) We have had her since she was 3 or 4. She is now almost 10. She likes to herd the kids to where she wants them. Its kinda cute. She has always been really good with the kids. My kids were 7 and 2 1/2 when we got her.....my youngest who is now 4 wasnt born yet, but she has been awesome with him since the day i brought him home. She rarely barks. She is an awesome dog!!!!
We have had collies for years and years...and I cannot think of a better dog for a family with young children!! Our oldest daughter learned to walk by holding onto King's fur and toddling along with him!! They never had an issue with snapping at the children as far as I can remember...one dog, who had belonged to someone else before we got her, was nervous if you stepped over her while she was lying down, but never struck out at the girls.
I cannot imagine why anyone would tell you that a collie was not a great family dog...unless they have seen a dog who has been mistreated and is just protecting itself.
Any dog can be made to be mean and any dog can be raised to be loving. My middle daughter has a pit bull...Meika is the most loving, wonderful dog that you would ever want. I have pictures of my 18 month old grandson, laying on the floor with Meika..using her as a pillow!! Such a big old mean Pit Bull...lol
