Advice for first time dog owner!

Hi guys, first post here at dogsey!

I've never owned a dog before, but have had cats since I was 4 (22 now). Obviously there are a lot of differences between keeping cats and dogs, but over the years I've found myself wanting a dog more and more. I'm happy to put in the effort needed, just need somewhere to start!

I'm unsure what breeds would be suitable for someone with little experience of keeping a dog. I absolutely adore rough Collies, especially the tricolour ones. So you can already guess what I'd like to have . I've been doing a little research with the help of Google. I know they're very energetic, and will need plently of exercise. However, a lot of the information I've come across have been referring to boarder collies? So I'm a little confused on some areas.

My main concern is would my home be suitable for a Collie? (living at home, Dad's with RAF so my Mum is living in Cyprus with him for a year or two) I live in a rural village in Norfolk, have a pretty big garden with access to fields and a large park just down the road. Would walk any dog every day, and twice a day at weekends along with lots of time playing games in the park. The house itself is pretty big, although it's next to a road.. which although not "busy" still gets quite a few cars/buses down it, along with the usual sights of tractors etc!

I work part time at the moment, leaving at noon and not getting home for about half seven. Is it ok to keep a large dog indoors during the day? Or do I need to fence off an area in the garden for him/her to run around in during the day? I would let it out, but read that Collie's herding instincts mean they like to chase cars... which is somewhat worrying!

Are there any Collie owners here? What are the initial costs, like vaccinations and neutering? Would want to get any pup I get microchipped for security.

Where would be the best place to get a Collie pup? I have no idea about breeders, so any help there would be great!

To cut a long story short, I'm very much willing to put in the time and effort to make sure any dog I get has a happy life. Reason I'm asking for advice here is I don't want to get a Collie, and then find out its not happy or getting the right lifestyle. So any help would be appreciated!

There are one or two Rough Collie owners on site, so hopefully they will be able to advise.

Rough Collies can have health issues if my memory serves me well so make sure if you get one that the health checks have been done on both parents etc.,

I think though reading your post that you maybe getting the info about Border Collies and Rough Collies a little confused.

Borders can be herders and high maintenance re energetic/psyically and mentally, but (sorry never had a Rough) all the Rough's I know are slower in pace and very majestic.

Hopefully one of the Rough Collie knowledgable ones will be along shortly

Good luck on your search

Thanks for the reply.

I've read about the various health issues they can have like CEA, distichiasis, pyotraumatic dermatitis, PDA, deafness, cerebellar abiotrophy... one reason why I'm a bit worried about my complete lack on knowledge about where to look for a Collie pup. Are there checks I can get done on breeders to make sure they a) have good quality pups and b) treat their animals well. I've seen stories about the so called "puppy mills" and its terrible some of the things people will do to animals.

About the Collie/Border Collie confusion, when I google "Collie" I get loads of hits for Border Collie's.... so I've probably gotten my wires crossed somewhere. Do "normal" Collie's not need quite so much phsyical/mental stimulation than their border relatives?

I feel a little out of my depth! My cats have been just that... plain old moggy's! Never gotten into the whole "breeds" thing before.

Any hints on where I should start to look for a pup? How much should I be looking to pay for one on average?

Hi

I only know know one Rough Collie and although he is good tempered, I also find him to be very aloof. He is also a car chaser and rather stubborn!

As for your current situation, if you are living alone, how would you plan to make a pup fit into your working schedule? at first, a pup will need go outside to toilet at least every hour. So, leaving a pup for 7 1/2 hours isn't going to happen. In my opinion, that is also a long time to leave an adult dog during the day without a break, particularly if the dog has no company (another dog, etc.).

With regard to leaving a dog, unless you have a secure kennels, I would never leave a dog outside alone for long periods. Too much can go wrong.

I personally think you need have a closer look at your living situation before getting a dog.

They will all need mental and physical stimualtion, mental as in ''hide and seek, teaching them to fetch a toy by name....toy elephant ie where your elephant...etc.,

Rough Collies like to be with you, and they are best inside the home rather than being a outside dog, they like people but can be barkers although I believe this can be trained as NO, and they will bark at the door, but they can be protective of the owners if neccessary. They are not used in the UK (as far as I know) as herders, unlike the manic workaholic Borders (she says owning 4) I believe they are easy to train but you don't need to use harshness with them as they are sensitive dogs and work better with kindness,calmness and rewards.

I am trying to think of who has them I know at least one on here does...smooth-haired I think.

I know they don't like being alone for long periods and seem to cope better with human company or another Rough.

They don't seem to possess the ''eye contact'' as Borders do, which makes the Border workaholics, but you can get nervous neurotic ones that react to traffic etc....then so can the borders, thats upto you to socialise when young and walk them where there is traffic so they get used to it.

There are Rough Collie rescues whom you can google up and ask them questions.

Can not help re: breeders though as I have no info on that, but libraries do some very good books.

In the meantime, ring round your vets and ask the questions about costs for vacc,microchipping etc., then you can get a feel for costs.

If I remember / can find out who owns them I will put them onto you

I just had a look for you and quality Rough Collie pups go for between £700-800.

Well currently I'm working five hours a day, but out for six when you count travel time. I only get a 15 minute "tea break" so no chance to run home and attend to a pup. I have two cats at the moment, would that be suitable company for the time its at home? Or does it need another dog for company? Is there anything similar to the litter tray you can use for dogs? Might sound completely stupid but I'm just wondering!

When you say "secure kennels", do you mean a kennel (obviously lol) fenced in?


I'm sorry if I seem completely clueless, I've never owned a dog before and not completely aware of the needs of bringing one up... hence why I've come here for advice.

If you think it would definitely be a bad idea getting a dog at the moment I'll put my plans on hold for a while... would be a bit disappointed though.

Wow! Didn't think it was that much lol, looks like I'll be saving for nearly a year before I can afford that on my meager wages! Oh well... patience is a virtue as they say! I guess when it comes to pups you really do get what you pay for. Would prefer to pay a wee bit more and have the knowledge it's parents don't have any problematic health issues.

Thanks for looking up for me .

Does it have to be a pup, the rescues have young ones and dome have history so you could see if they get on with cats etc., Some are in there simply because prvious owners have had change of circumstances.

What I would suggest if getting a pup you do need someone to pup sit whilst they are small as regards House training etc., this may have to be thought out.

You could do loads of homework on them whilst waiting......and why not so some voluntry work in the morning at a local kennels, you could get hands on experience there with dogs good training for when you get yours xxx.

Yeah thats a good idea, might be something to look into.

The main reason I wanted a pup was so I could bring it up around my cats. Just a bit worried if I get an "older" Collie it's going to go "OOOHHH... CATS!" and go hell for leather around the house chasing the poor things lol.

My neighbour is in most of the time although she looks after he grandkids quite a bit. Perhaps if I ask REALLY nicely and for some money she could help come the day if I do get a pup.

Will give the local vet a visit tomorrow on the way into work to ask about costs & where any rescue places around locally. Do they charge much for re homing a dog? Think it will definitely be something to look into, we got our cats from a rescue centre as kittens... their mum was killed by a car seemingly .