Here's what we can do (exercise etc.)
-About 1.5 - 2 hours of solid exercise.
-He/she would never be left alone during the day or night, he would go to my dad's work which has a total of three people and plenty of space and fields
-We do have cats, and will raise correctly
-Socialise well with everyone and everything!!
-Do nice long walks at the weekend too, we love to visit national parks and go hiking
-We have three members of family alltogether
-we will do puppy/dog training classes, we've found some really good one's.
-we would like to rescue
- at least an hour of training
I would absolutley love to do flyball and agility (and obedience too!) as I find this is a great way to spend even more time with your dog, and I'm quite competitive. When my future dog is over 1.5 years old I'll enroll him/her in agility classes.
Ages of us: two adults in 50's and a 15 year old, all my cousin's and family are all grown up to, so no young children
And my experience, as I know they are for novice dog owners:
Talk with everyone who's going to be involved with the dog - ie. when I'll be away for a day - won't happen often - talk with my neighbour to see i she'll be okay with checking in on my dog for that day (my family are ready for it & want a dog)
-Buy toys/beds/crates - research food, clicker training and ll the other essentials
-Research more into the breeds I would like
-When I get the dog to get him vaccinated
-Neuter/Spay my dog when the time is right (when fully mature)
-Know the walking routes I will take each day (about 2.5 miles, excluding playing time in the garden) and walk the routes so I get an idea
-Walk neighbours dogs, I also help out at a kennels for more experience.
-For my cats begin introducing doggy smells to them.
-Create a dog document, with all the information on it [i've collected a lot of dog magazines and information from Crufts]
-Get PetPlan Insurance and get the dog microchipped and keep up the annual jabs
I'm 15, when I go away to University my parents are fine with taking care of the dog while I'm away, and I will visit on weekends and holiday breaks.
We have enough neighbours so if one is unable to check on the dog then we have other friends who could, if not then I know a very good kennels which I help out at, and (s)he would spend the say there.
I'd organised with someone who has a puppy to meet our cats to see how they react to him, it was positive in that the cats were bold, hissed and stood up for themselves and none of them ran.
We have enough money to cover any accidents or emergancies at the vets (and we know a good vet too!)
Sorry it's a lot to read, but thank you!! xxx
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On a regular basis, I scream and shout about idiots who want a dog and get a dog regardless of their home circumstances. Dogs need people, people do not need dogs.
You and your parents sound like excellent owners, you have all considered the pitfalls and how you will cope. The only thing that is left to consider is how a rescue Collie will cope with your cats.
The fact that you will introduce a puppy to your cats is inconsequential, however the people at the rescue centre will know if a dog is OK with cats. Any dog that you rescue will have an excellent home, nevertheless there are other breeds that will be suitable with the proviso that they are good with cats.
Good luck, any dog will have a wonderful home with you and your kind parents.
EDIT. I have read the other answers and I had forgotten how much exercise a Collie needs, perhaps you should consider a less energetic dog. I hate cages/crates, hopefully you can cope with this.
Dog Training - How to Housebreak an Adopted Dog
- Go to a shelter, give them this information, and let them help find you a good dog.
- Golden Retriever
Catahoula Leopard
Lab - A black lab!! Name it Riley if its a girl :)
- I think your best bet is to go to the shelter and talk to volunteers/staff about your situation and then tell them to help you choose a dog. Really hyper dogs wait at shelters for a LONG time and since you want to do training and sports I would tell them you want a bit of a higher energy dog. You would be saving a life. (:
- Honestly, given this information, if you follow through, it sounds like you can raise just about any dog!
Most 15 year olds really sound like idiots on here and cannot even type correctly (sad because that's high school age) but you really sound mature and like you've done excellent research and are going to be committed to this dog and its' care.
I think a border collie would suit you just fine, and it's great that you are rescuing it. But given your regimen, you can handle any working dog requiring some space and pertinent exercise. So don't be afraid to broaden your horizons if you see something else you really like. (Doberman's, shepherds, mastiffs, retrievers, bull breeds, even terriers like that kind of stimulation, you name it.)
Good luck. - I had similiar circumstances and preferences and I went with a German Sheppard! best desicion ever (for me;) working dogs are wonderful, labs have a great need to make you happy, but german sheppards and collies are smarter, but dogs that are really smart can be hard to train (they know and learn fats BUT also know when no one is looking) good luck you sound like you will be a great owner! al Breeds have qualities to love and you will see that no matter what choice you make! just remember excersize is key!!!
- A golden retriever or a siberian huskey would be a good choice also! But I think border collie would be fantastic since it's smaller than the ones I just said.. Hope I helped.
- Just a few things that would not exactly work with a Border Collie and you.
1) Border collies need more than 2 hours of exercise every day, unless this exercise involves "hard core" exercise for 2 solid hours (things like running/herding). These dogs were bred to work all day out in the field, and they have the energy to do it.
2) If you are getting a border collie, go for agility instead of fly ball. Fly ball is fun, but it's brainless. It will physically tire a border collie, but leave it mentally bored and unsatisfied.
Other than that, depending on your yard (sorry, only skimmed your list, not sure if you mentioned your yard), and willingness to groom, I think you could do just about any breed, as long as you aren't looking for something too energetic - You sound really mature for your age. I think you'd do great with a border collie. You asked for other suggestions how about an aussie same amount of energy, just a little more grooming.
- You sound very competent and well informed - my only comment is a Border Collie is likely to still be going stir crazy with only 2 hours of exercise a day.
Some breeders won't sell them to any home that doesn't have a farm. Those dogs can literally go all day - and are used here (in Ontario) on the golf courses to harrass Canada Geese. They literally run all day (the Goose is not legal to be shoot here but for reasons that don't matter- they have become a nuisance and BC are used quite a bit to keep them from crapping all over the golf course)
I consider the breed one of the highest energy dogs - certainly in the top 5.
Its something to consider - if you are in University - what will the parents be doing with the dog.
If that doesn't scare you - or your parents fine - but those dogs can really become destructive if they are bored.
Good luck.
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