[Simon O]

We got Molly and Meg from Robert and Lillian a year ago and they are great collies, friendly loving and intelligent.  They did not really even nibble people as pups and though we do not have children living here have been great with kids even allowing kids to put them in doll's prams when little. they stay in the kitchen at night otherwise run round the garden by day - they never seem to chew when in the kitchen - you can leave slippers etc - though will snaffle a sandwich if they get a chance. But they do chew things in the garden if they get hold of them eg gloves left down. I think they might be good sheep workers and i cannot wait to try this out. I had not really tried it before but the chickens got into the garden yesterday and they were rounding up the chickens like old hands and working automatically as a 2 dog team - i was trying to get them used to the come by/away calls and I made Molly come to me then she did a lovely outrun on the away side. Great fun. I read Barbara Sykes' Understanding Border Collies before I got them and since, and it makes a lot of sense and is practically useful very often. If you could somehow organise it I would definitely recommend  getting a dog from Robert and Lillian!
 

[plumseverywhere]

Ah believe me, I've been working out the possible routes from Worcestershire to Scotland  SImon!   


Oh Karen, that's made me think of Tony's reason for his reticence. Working for NFU mutual he obviously visits hundreds of farms, He's been nipped on the ankle a few times and because of being on a farm the most likely dog to be there is a collie, therefore in his mind now ALL collies bite so he's not going to be easy to disuade otherwise     I guess I'm in the opposite boat to you in that the only dogs I've been bitten by are GSD's and when I was working in boarding  kennels I had a few nips from little terrier/chihaua sized pooches. To be fair, the owners were often highly strung at leaving their 'babies' and I'm sure this passes onto the dog! [size=78%] [/size]

[in the hills]

Mmmmm ... interesting.
 
 Yeah, grew up with gundogs and my dad having other peoples dogs in to train. Only dog ever to bite me was a collie at an agility class where I took my Flattie for a while.Came from nowhere and bit through my jeans ..... hard enough to puncture skin.
 
 A friend had a collie, living as a family pet and watched that growl and snarl at her as she tried to get it to leave the room. She wasnt worried by it but I wouldnt feel comfortable with a dog in the house that showed that type of aggression.
 
If you are really keen maybe look at some from show/pet backgrounds and visit them at home with your children. You can see by a dogs body language/eyes if they are comfortable in situations eg. around children. As HHippy says, I think that many collies have a slightly neurotic tendency, though of course there will be many exceptions. I see it in my neighbours collies. Perhaps you could speak to a local vet about suitability.

[robert waddell]

well i have been bitten by collies GSD and small terriers    the gsd i think have been breed for better temperament either that or i am not near them now yes collies are sneaky the males come to the frontfor a clap and a stroke while the bitches come round the back to nip and run of  and when i was small i was bitten by my own pet collie a vicious bastard of a dog its father was also a vicious dog and should not have been breed from that was in the very early sixty's
we have maybe been lucky with our present choice of dogs and also that the kids have also been good to them Grahame was 5 when we got Sheba loved a football but one of the most gentle dogs you could wish for sorted the kids out when fighting and never a days illness right up to the end yes collies have there own ways but don't we all it is just a bit of give and take 

[in the hills]

Yes, I agree Robert that all breeds are different and can be problematic in different ways. My Flat-Coat gets carried away and can be very boisterous and I wouldnt recommend a male Flat-Coat to people unless they were prepared to put in a lot of obedience work, exercise and wanted a dog that was there, ready for fun all the time.Know what you mean about terriers and yes its that sneaky/neurotic/sensitive side that would worry me about some collies as family pets, though I am sure that some are just lovely in that capacity. Its about the breed overall or the odds if you like of getting a collie that would fit the bill as a family dog.
 
Maybe also about your expectations of a family dog. Did your family keep the collie that bit you? I know that no dog can be trusted 100 per cent but in my opinion if a dog is sharing a family home with children you need to get as close to that as possible. I want a dog in my home that the children of course respect but a dog that they can touch when its eating,sleeping, whatever. Having said that, of course some collies will be like this and some individuals from other breeds known more to be pets will turn out to have less desirable temperaments. I suppose its about lessening the odds.

[robert waddell]

yes they kept it but as an outside dog  my grandfather on my mothers side was a Sheppard and never allowed dogs in the house and did not approve of pet dogs and it was not until my mother was given Pepi that she came round to having a dog in the house and also as a pet it is most unfortunate i had to wait nearly 50 years to get a dog of my own first with uist a mans dog then with spot his daughter and mother of all the good pups  but i still think that born and brought up in the house handled by children make better pets and companions

[in the hills]

Yes, that must help. Also good understanding/handling of particular breeds ..... whatever they may be.        Good luck, Plums.

[Old Shep]

.....So what i was trying to say in my long winded post was if i was you i would think about a show line not guaranteed but you might find a pup that is less of a handful like mine and is less likely to herd.

Is it me or is that a sad state of affairs? Dogs winning prizes for best of their breed who aren't inclined to the job they were intended for?  Anyway - don't want to start a whole new discussion!!  I know what you are saying Piggy and I agree - I know a lot of lovely show types with nice temperaments, but have also heard of not so well bred ones with temperament issues (and the same lines still being bred from  ).  As you rightly say - no guarantees.  I know lots of lovely working types with excellent temperaments and some which personally would have gone on a one way trip to the vets!  All you can do is investigate the parents and breeder as much as you can.

[Mel Rice]

Sadly roads kill dogs too. Weve had two killed one infront of thethen young children. Weve had a dog of one sort or another (all rescue dogs) since before the children. The last one died (Not on the road) not long before we came over here. It was going to be the first animal we got when we arrived...but it never happened. The only thing I miss one for is long walks. My OH cant manage them and I dont always want to ride out....going alone just doesnt feel right when Ive always had someone with me!.