Australian shepherds and border collies?
i'd like to get either an australian shepherd or border collie [as a puppy], but i already have a mixed chihuahua and mixed pomeranian. would the australian shepherd or border collie be suitable with these types of dogs? would they be able to play and interact, esp since chihuahuas and poms are so small? and, do these dogs have any certain health concerns i should be aware of?
Aussies and Borders are both "herding" breeds. If you get them young, there should be no problem socializing them with your existing dogs.
I have 2 Border Collies…they will try to "herd" the other dogs but they don't have a mean streak in them. Having said that, I have met 1 Border Collie who did….BUT he was never socialized…he was allowed to "rule the roost" and never had a moment's training or socialization.
Do yo know what I mean about socialization??? If not, e-mail me and I will further explain.
Aussies are very similar to Borders in temperament but not looks and coat. The Aussie coat is normally thicker and requires somewhat more grooming.
Both are extremely high energy breeds and since they are VERY intelligent they require training and "jobs"…They can herd, play agility, flyball, frisbee, do obedience, etc, etc but youHAVE to put the time into it. THey get destructive if bored. Please do the research before you get one. It may not be the breed for you if you are not willing to put in the time, energy and/or money into them.
Health concerns…mostly the joints…they can rupture ligaments doe to their high energy and play…they can also get hip dysplasia…not as sommon though as with larger breeds like German Shepherds. If you are going to get one…go to a reputable breeder…they test for all inds of genetic anomalies and won't sell you an unfit dog…Also, if something unknown crops up in the line, they will either re-imburse you or offer you a free puppy or take the one back that you have (ya…like anyone is going to give back a dog they love!!! LOL)
Good luck.
Let us know how it turns out!
they might get along – you never know. as you must already know border collies and shepherd need LOTS OF THINGS TO DO. They are full of energy. Having all that energy around a smaller dog might be too stressful for your smaller dogs.
Border collies are prone to seizures – because they're inbred so much. If I were you, I'd rather go with a golden retriever or something like that.
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yes they would if properly trained and socialised
but they do have herding instincts and if you didnt control this then it migth try to herd your small dogs
these breeds are high maintenance, not at all comparable with your curent dogs, they need a lot of excersise each day and it need to be more then just a run along the road, it need to be something that also stimulates their brain
a bored dog is a frustrated and destructive dog
these are working dogs…can you replace the stimulation of spending day in and out herding sheeps? if not then specialy with small dogs or kids i wouldnt get them cause they would def try to amuse themself through hearding when bored, as that would be their instinct
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SORRY I HAVE NO IDEA.
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My parents have a chihuahua and a border collie and they did fine together. It just takes time and a lot of patience in training them to be together. I have a chihuahua and a weimeraner and they do fine together as well.You can do a lot of research and talk to dog breeders and ask them questions.
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I work at a barn and they have 2 Australian sheperds, one normal sized (about 2 years) and another minicture (about a year)…They also have a 14 year old rat terrier.
The two Australian sheperds interact and play with each other but the rat terrier is the Momma, she barks at them and they respect her VERY much!
Australian sheperds have long hair, therefore have to be brushed and bathed regularly or else they'll get dirk and bugs caught. Which can attract fleas, and other such mites. The 2 year old makes an excellent watch dog, she's attentive and alert at full times and very sweet. The 1 year old is more independent, both are females and both love to lick.
Only thing you must do is keep them clean and give them alot of love and care. I wouldn't think the smaller dogs would have a problem, especially because most the time they don't know their own size.
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Most Aussies can get along with just about anything, but you are really talking apples and oranges here – and both of these breeds can be a lot of dog. They would be vying for your attention, and made to compete with the other two – that would be an instant circus. And not in a good way!
In addition to that, if you get a puppy, it will torment your tiny dogs while its growing to the point THEY probably won't like IT…I would actually worry far more about the tiny dogs getting snippy than the large dog getting along.
Adding a third dog makes a huge difference in the dynamics of the household – two are one thing, three is much more than just another dog…and if you get something so different thanm the other two, who are already used to being together, it will really upset the balance.
If you must get something else (and I seriously question the need for that), you should either stick with another little one like you've got, perhaps a bit younger than those two, or a Golden, which might not even notice them at all, or at least wouldn't compete. But no puppies.
But the high drive herding dogs are NOT what you want, and would only end up in rescue in a couple months. And we are alredy up to the gills with that.
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many years of raising and rescuing fluffy herding dogs
Aussies and Borders are both "herding" breeds. If you get them young, there should be no problem socializing them with your existing dogs.
I have 2 Border Collies…they will try to "herd" the other dogs but they don't have a mean streak in them. Having said that, I have met 1 Border Collie who did….BUT he was never socialized…he was allowed to "rule the roost" and never had a moment's training or socialization.
Do yo know what I mean about socialization??? If not, e-mail me and I will further explain.
Aussies are very similar to Borders in temperament but not looks and coat. The Aussie coat is normally thicker and requires somewhat more grooming.
Both are extremely high energy breeds and since they are VERY intelligent they require training and "jobs"…They can herd, play agility, flyball, frisbee, do obedience, etc, etc but youHAVE to put the time into it. THey get destructive if bored. Please do the research before you get one. It may not be the breed for you if you are not willing to put in the time, energy and/or money into them.
Health concerns…mostly the joints…they can rupture ligaments doe to their high energy and play…they can also get hip dysplasia…not as sommon though as with larger breeds like German Shepherds. If you are going to get one…go to a reputable breeder…they test for all inds of genetic anomalies and won't sell you an unfit dog…Also, if something unknown crops up in the line, they will either re-imburse you or offer you a free puppy or take the one back that you have (ya…like anyone is going to give back a dog they love!!! LOL)
Good luck.
Let us know how it turns out!
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owned by 4 dogs – 2 Borders, 1 black lab, 1 beagle
Pro Groomer
Agility Trainer
I'm sure they could get along with your dogs if socialized with them enough, you know?
But Aussies and Border Collies are very hyper dogs; that need a lot of exercise; so they might play a little rough with your smaller dogs.
Border Collies have only a few health concerns; such as epilepsy, hip dysplasia[sp?]. Elbow dysplasia or osteochondritis, deafness, and hypothyroidism may also occur.
As for Aussies; hip problems, vision problems, and pancreatic probems. Aussies may also get urinary infections and have bladder issues.
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Either should do well with smaller dogs, if well-socialized. At the Rescue where I volunteer, one volunteer brings her Papillion with her, and lets him run with the resident pack (the owner's BCs). Bing thinks he's a BC, too! They play wonderfully together, except when Bing bullies the BCs to steal their bones.
There's a Shihtzu at the farm, too, who also plays very well with the BCs.
Aussies are a less driven than BCs, and may be a better choice, unless you're prepared to deal with the little 'Energizer Bunnies' that BCs are.
Principle health risks are hip and elbow dysplasia, collie eye anomaly (CEA), and maybe epilepsy. I've frankly never met an epileptic BC, though. Also, if you get a double-merle, you're likely to have a blind and/or deaf dog. Check out the parents, and make sure no more than one was merle!
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BC Rescue volunteer