Are border collies good with kids?

My BIL has a rescued 2 yo border collie that needs a good home. Since we are down a dog we may be interested.

Top priority is that is has to be good with kids of all ages.

Any experience?

 

Yes, a sibling has one and a friend has one. They can be extremely high strung and energetic which can lead to problems with younger kids. My sibling uses baby gates to keep the dog away from the little ones. They need a ton of exercise otherwise they can be destructive (they lost a good chair). My friend's has killed small animals that entered the yard and has problems staying on the property (escape master).

Others may disagree but I suggest a more mellow breed for families with kids.

 

The experiences I've had with border collie is highly undesirable and I would NEVER trust it alone with children.
Yes, they are probably the highest rated intelligence in the dog world; and I've always heard that they are "one owner" dogs.
Coming on board at two years old, I would personally pass on it.
But who knows, right? Why was it surrendered to begin with?

 

Kind of depends on how it was raised IMO. But by nature Collie's like to circle the pack, and I've known a few to "nip" the pack (kids) if they stray too far, or swiftly move to leave the pack. (Not saying all are bad, this was my sisters dog, who didn't leave the house but to use the lav.)

 

I miss your weather stat in your signature.....

 

Wow! That's warm, no? Thanks!

 

Get a Lab, and call it good!!

 

Had a lab...probably will get another.

 

Boarder Collie's: http://www.bordercollie.org/basics/living.html
My experience is that they are protective, might try to hurd the children. I know when I did home care visits, they were excitable and anxious. None ever attempted to bite me. None of the owners said their dog had bitten. Some did warm me to avoid certain motions.
I now have labs. Most kidproof dog I've ever known. Very loving. My labs are from proven breeders where I could see and interact with the parents. Yes, I paid a chunk of money for them but I have no regrets. They have never hinted or shown signs that they were going to nip or be hostile towards humans. They will tell each other off, but no biting. I can take food out of their mouth or bowl with no concern.
I did not the same for cats. Mine are Himalayan ragdolls. No aggression. No scratching or biting. Not even a hiss at the he dogs. I did get one from rescue. He has hissed but no fighting etc.
My advice is to do a meet and greet with the Collie's.

 

Pass on the border collie, especially if it's a rescue. Mellow breeds can come out of a rescue situation and be ok. High strung rescue dogs...move on my friend.

 

Yeah, the border Collie's need a ton of exercise. High strung, and very smart. If you lived on a farm, I'd say get one, but as a house dog they get bored, pent up energy, and bad things can happen. As far as being good with kids, I think inherently they are, in the right conditions. Being a herding dog, they will want to herd your kids, and nipping can happen.

It's hard to go wrong with a lab. Springer spaniels are awesome with kids too, Newfoundland's, Bernese mtn dogs, , golden retrievers, beagles, pugs, all good dogs with kids. There's plenty more as well.

 

Very high energy, high intelligence dog that needs running room and a job to do daily. Good with kids? Yes, normally, if those previous conditions are met. Since you have a playmate with the lab I'd say it's a decent possibility your home would be a good fit.

More info on the home it came from would be beneficial. If it was caged all day or living in an apartment getting no exercise you're gonna have a handful.

If not, I'd say a meet n greet at the lukem ranch is in order.

 

MightyWhitey,
I agree totally. You cannot beat, IMO a lab around kids.
My wife tells the story of the morning we had to go take the last lab after 14 years to the vet to put her down, cancer had just took over. We went into the Vets office and there were other dogs as well. She couldn't care less about those other dogs. then a little boy walked in with his dog and Shadow pricked up and wanted to go over to this completely unknown little boy. She loved kids, she loved everything about kids.
Get a lab and call it good.
I am sure other breeds and other dogs are good around kids too

 

We rescued a 2+ year old border collie/Nova Scotian Retriever just before we had kids. We have two cats that were in the house before her and she has never hurt them. An occasional attempt to herd them , but never to hurt them.

Best damm dog I have ever had. Super protective of the babies and tolerant to all of their abuse! After we had the kids she has become super protective of the house, not aggressive, but very vocal if someone comes up our dead end road.

They do need a whole lot of walking/running. I take her for at least three 30 to 45 minute walks a day and that probably just takes the edge off. Once the snow melts there is a whole lot of woods running which seems to wear her out a bit.

She does kill small game, rabbits will be run down and returned to me. Birds have been plucked out of the sky. Field mice make occasional appetizers. And I had to apologize profusely for one neighbor's chicken that was free ranging. After that event, she is only off the leash when we go into the woods

BTW - we did about three meet and greets and walks before we adopted her. I think that was very good for all of us when it came to taking her home.

 

I think we'll have her over and see how it goes....but the lab is gone. By all accounts she is an excellent dog...

 

I'll put in a plug for the Great Pyrenees.

I have met some that would not be good with kids, but that was a product of socialization rather than genetics. If a dog is raised among live stock, lives among live stock and rarely sees humans, it won't do well with humans.

Sven, our first Pyr, is so well socialized he prefers people to other dogs. He is great with kids. Worst thing he has ever done was accidently hip check a 7 year old and knock her down, he didn't know she was there. When he realized what he did, he was mortified. They are low energy, but will still want to play for short durations. They are very protective. A down side, they bark and shed, A LOT!!! They tend to be very independant. They don't really see you as Alpha. They tend to be one owner dogs and at best will form a bond with the person they see as their equal, everyone else is just part of the flock.