Are Border Collies Good Family Dogs? (For a House or Apartment)

Are Border Collies Good Family Dogs? Photo of a Border Collie laying down in the family sofa.

Are you thinking about getting a Border Collie? They sure are cute, but are Border Collies good family dogs? In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the pros and cons of having a BC as a family pet. So, if you’re thinking about adding a Border Collie to your family, read on!

Border Collies can make good family dogs; they have been a part of many families for many years. They are known for being very intelligent, obedient, and loyal dogs that really do love to please their owner.

If you’re looking for an excellent family dog, then the border collie may be just what you’re looking for.

Whether it’s agility training, herding sheep, or playing fetch in the yard with your kids, a Border Collie is there to help make your life easier and more enjoyable.

Can a Border Collie be a house dog?

A border collie can be a house dog if you give them the proper time and attention they need.

They need a minimum of at least two hours’ worth of exercise per day; if they can get more than that, it would be even better for them.

They don’t do very well just sitting inside all day by themselves or on a chain outside. This breed of dog is used to having lots of room to run, be active, and play around.

If you take some extra steps, such as proper obedience training and setting up designated playtimes. You will find that a Border Collie can be an excellent house dog.

Is the Border Collie Right For My Family?

They are excellent dogs and perfect for families who have a lot of energy.

What you’ll find with a border collie is that they will become an integral part of the family; they love to play games and be active.

If you spend all day on the couch watching TV, then maybe this isn’t the dog for you, but if you have a lot of energy and love to be active, then the border collie will fit your family perfectly.

Are Border Collies Good for First-time Owners?

Yes, border collies can be an excellent choice for first-time dog owners.

If you’re looking to get into agility training or just want a reliable and intelligent dog that will always do as it’s told, then a border collie might be the perfect dog for your family.

A border collie will do exactly as it’s told. They are working dogs with very strong ethics and love to please their owners.

This makes them great for first-time dog owners who are still learning the ropes.

You don’t need any special training or experience with dogs before you get one. You just need to be willing to put in the time and effort. A border collie will repay you with dedication and loyalty.

Are Border Collies Good Apartment Dogs?

Border collies can do well in apartments with the proper amount of exercise and attention they need.

They are very high-energy dogs that need plenty of physical activity to stay happy and well-behaved. Ideally, though, Border collies are best suited for larger homes or homes with yards where they can run around and burn off some of that built-up energy.

Some dogs require a lot of outside time and space to be happy and healthy, which is certainly the case with border collies.

For apartment living, it’s highly recommended that you have a minimum of two hours per day where your dog can go out and be active. Running around and playing with other dogs will help them burn off some energy, resulting in a better-behaved pup.

What you need to know before bringing a Border Collie Home

If you’re thinking about bringing a border collie into your family, there are some things you need to know first.

Border Collies are Very High Energy Dogs

Border collies are very high-energy dogs that require plenty of time and attention, even if they will be primarily indoor dogs. They need to be taken outside at least twice per day for long, active play sessions.

If you want a dog that will enjoy being inside and relaxing with the family, then a border collie might not be for you.

Border Collies Are Independent Thinkers

Border collies are very intelligent dogs, but they think for themselves. This means they sometimes need a little extra training to ensure they don’t start trying to take control of the household.

If you want to take your dog out for a walk, then make sure they understand that it’s not their job to choose where you go. Otherwise, you may end up with issues like pulling on the leash and dragging you all over the place.

Border Collies Are Very Loyal

The Border Collie is known as one of the most loyal of all breeds. They place their loyalty and sense of family with their owner and see themselves as a pack member.

If you bring a border collie into your home, then make sure you understand that it may view itself as an equal to humans and other pets in the household. This can lead to dominance issues if not appropriately managed.

A well-socialized border collie will be very friendly and happy to welcome other dogs, cats, and even children into the family as their own pack members.

Pros and Cons of Border Collies as family dogs

There are some pros and cons to border collies as family dogs. Some of the cons can be seen as pros for many people, but if you’re unwilling to deal with some of the potential issues, then a border collie might not be for you.

Pros

  • They are very loyal and obedient dogs;
  • They are very intelligent, which makes them excellent to train;
  • They are known to be great with kids, especially when socialized at a young age;
  • Are very accepting of other pets and family members once they have been properly introduced;
  • They are very affectionate, loving dogs that are happy to cuddle up with the family on the couch.

Cons

  • They are extremely high energy dogs that require lots of time outside;
  • May not be suitable for homes with smaller yards or apartments;
  • They think for themselves most of the time. That is why it can be challenging to train sometimes.

They make great family pets for active households that can give them lots of attention and exercise every day.

In conclusion

A Border Collie can make an excellent family dog for the right owner. They are incredibly loyal and loving dogs that require lots of time outside to stay happy and healthy.

They enjoy being around their pack and will see every human and animal in the home as part of their family, which makes them great with children and other pets if introduced properly.

On the other hand, if you work all day, you might want to consider a different breed of dog or hire a dog walker. Otherwise, your border collie may become bored and start causing trouble around the house.

Photo of author
Andre Neves

Hi, I'm Andre and I'm the owner of Sula the Border Collie. I love writing about this amazing dog breed here. I joined the Council to be able to reach and educate more people on the joy of having a pet dog.