dog question

[RedGlitter]

Hmm....okay first a border collie *may* not be the best choice because they are dogs who have to have a "job" to do. They're herding dogs and it's built-in. Some of them will even snap at your heels as they're trying to herd you. Not always a great choice if you have any small kids around. That's not a definite thing, just a common thing. You may find the right dog and it may be a border collie.

It's true the older dog may try to dominate Alfie or may get annoyed with Alfie's energetic puppy ways. Not necessarily a given though. Dogs usually sort that out themselves. Sometimes it's a puppy who can put new life into an older dog. My own opinion is that it dopends largely on the personality of the dog. I'm all for getting an older dog because first, they're the ones always left behind because everyone wants a puppy, but also, you don't have to housetrain, get up at crazy hours or do special feedings. And they won't chew up your stuff. A playmate for Alfie may be a great thing!

We need some other dog people's input here!

[valerie]

I wouldn't tend toward the border collie, either, myself... but I suppose

if you got a much older one, it might just be towards the end of its'

really high energy bit. If you were to go through a rescue, you could

get a dog of any type who has been evaluated for temperament, and

they could tell you which dogs are good with others and would make a

good fit.

As RG says, it can really go either way, but at 7 months your pup

should still be pretty submissive.

Hey, try for one with a matching white tip at the end of his tail!!

[Victoria]

This is 7 yr old Oscar with 9 week old jenny a Jack russel.

It all depends on the dog Oscar is so gentle with puppies ,children and little dogs he will automatically protect them.

We got him from a rescue when he was 8 mths old starved and beaten to within an inch of his life, I couldn't wish for a nicer dog.

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[valerie]

That is a great picture, Victoria! What were they looking at do you

remember?

:-6

[Chezzie]

Victoria;976059 wrote: This is 7 yr old Oscar with 9 week old jenny a Jack russel.

It all depends on the dog Oscar is so gentle with puppies ,children and little dogs he will automatically protect them.

We got him from a rescue when he was 8 mths old starved and beaten to within an inch of his life, I couldn't wish for a nicer dog.


aww how gorgeous, I love that pic and the little Jack Russell is adorable:-4

[Victoria]

In that photo they had seen someone walking past the window.

This photo is Sheba also a rescue ( my first) also beaten black and blue by her previous owners my son (then 3 now 24) fell asleep using her as a cushion. Just shows not all rescue dogs are difficult or untrustworthy.

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[Trunk Monkey]

jimbo;975918 wrote: i wanted to get another dog ,i really enjoy alfie but i little bit of company for him would not go amiss, besides you cover the same distance if your walking two dogs or one



i wanted to get a border collie age does not concern me as i feel we could give a happy last few years to an older dog that maybe other people would just write him/her off , but suzy is worried an older dog would bully alfie who is 7 months old





thoughts please :-6:-6:-6


Jimbo I will start with facts on the Border Collie:

Temperment: This breed is a bundle of mental and physical energy awaiting its chance to be unleshed on the world. Among the most intellegent and obedient of breeds, it is nonetheless a disastrous housedog if it is not given a challenging "job" every day. It is intent on whatever it does and tends to stare which can be unnerving to other animals. It also likes to chase other animals (like poor Alfie).

Upkeep: Few dogs are as work orientated as this breed. This is a dog that needs a "job". This breed cannot live in an apartment/house and should preferably have access to run free outside.

I would also ask you now why you feel Alfie needs another dog in his life. I found that my Miniature Pinscher who was "the only dog" in my house has reacted badly when I brought in another Miniature Pinscher into the home. She was jealous and still is of this other dog. She tolerates him but does not like that the attention level is no longer on "just her".

I am an Animal Control Officer where I live and see all of the older dogs being "given up" due to certain issues in peoples lives. I donate heavily to the shelters but that doesn't mean I can rescue all of them or take another one in.

If you want to walk two dogs at the same time, go to a shelter and take Alfie with you but please think real hard and long about taking in another dog just to give Alfie "some company."

[LilacDragon]

What if you got in touch with a local rescue or shelter and volunteered to foster an older dog? I know around here, foster homes are desperately difficult to find and older dogs are next to impossible to place.

If you foster, you are helping out a rescue and if you find a dog that you and Alfie adore, well, you become a foster failure. LOL!! (A LOT of my friends are foster failures!!)

[buttercup]

Well i think a furry friend for Alfie is a great idea if you have the time, patience & energy to accomodate 2 dogs needs. A rescue dog would of course be my first choice. I dont see any reason why you should not look at border collie's, fantastic dogs imo

High energy - yes but ive got a high energy dog, ive always chosen high energy dogs, its not hard to tire a dog out if you have an active lifestyle.

Perhaps a female dog would be easier to introduce than a male.