Help me choose a breed? (Border Collie or Whippet or Other!) General Chat

Hi there, I'm hoping for some honest advice! Sorry this is long but there is a brief summary at the end...

Ok, so, we've just heard from our landlord that we can get a dog. I'm over the moon! Problem is, we can't decide on a breed. At the moment we're thinking we'd really like either a whippet or a border collie - and yes, I'm aware that's like choosing between two different lives...

So here's some background. Firstly, I work from home so the dog wouldn't be left alone for long periods. But secondly, we live in a second-floor flat in the city, with only a communal garden - though the flat does back onto a park which is always full of dogs, and we're also a short walk away from lots of other parks and a 20 minute drive from rolling countryside.

I've kept a dog in a gardenless flat before - a black labrador back when I lived with my mum - so I'm experienced in the joys of house training with the added 'fun obstacle' of a few flights of stairs, and in the bedtime and breakfasttime bathroom break rituals that it requires. My lab got plenty of exercise and when we registered with a new vet she actually asked us if Jess was a working gundog, she was in such good condition. We're not getting a labrador this time because my partner isn't a huge fan of them, which is fair enough.

My partner has had springer spaniels before, so he knows about (and loves) high energy breeds, and we're both doing as much research as we can so we know what we're letting ourselves in for.

My question is: do you think we could give a good home to a border collie? I wouldn't be keen to do agility or flyball (I'm quite shy and just not that sort of person) but happy to go to obedience classes and do lots of training at home, and plenty of fetch with tennis balls and frisbees. I also love running, and would like to take my dog on long runs once it's old enough. I think BCs are just beautiful dogs and love that intelligent focused glint in their eye when you're teaching them something new.

On the other hand, whippets are beautiful, cuddly dogs, and I get the feeling they might be the more sensible option for our lifestyle - quiet and loving around the house, and not too demanding exercise-wise. I'm sure I could fall in love with a whippet pup. But I'm not sure a whippet would cope as well with coming on my long runs, and my partner and I have both always wanted a BC. What do you think? I've never owned either a whippet or a BC before, so it's all a bit new.

TL;DR summary: we are active and keen people who love to run and play fetch, but live in a flat and wouldn't do agility or flyball. Could we make a BC happy? Or would a snuggly whippet be more up our street?

Thanks in advance for your help. I'm trying to learn as much as I can before we make a decision - I know how big a responsibility it is, so I'd like to have all the facts and advice from you all, especially if you have kept a BC or a whippet in a flat before!

how about a french bulldog !!!! such funny dogs

Hi toadvillage

I am the owner of 3 whippets and if you choose carfully you may find that a whippet will make a perfect running partner. Tilly was bread to show and after half an hour out and about she needs to sleep for the rest of the day. then there is Tizzy the racer she could jog by your side for an hour or so. Or Flossy the working whippet. she is 10 years old and is like a work horse whe will keep on going for ever. A shorter legged more stocky whippet would make a perfect running partner and also the best snuggle monster in the world

Oh I'd have to say a whippet. I love border collies for much the same reasons as you do but I just think a little whippet would suit your lifestyle so much better. There's a little whippet a few doors away from me and he is sooo laid back at home and yet charges around for his ball when out and about, he's an adorable little chap. Everybody in the neighbourhood loves him. He doesn't appear to suffer an ounce of separation anxiety either.

Thanks for the replies so far! We've been talking about it more and despite the sensible whippet advice I have to admit we're leaning much more towards a BC. I've found a great breeder close by who will have some pups soon and have told her everything about our situation, and she is supportive and has offered to help out with making sure it's the right environment. Whippets are still in contention, but I'd love to hear some thoughts from BC owners, especially those who don't do agility but still find fun ways to amuse their BCs?

What is making you lean more towards the BC at this moment? Is it anything in particular or is it the sweet temptation of soon to be puppies nearby?
What you describe as the focused glint I call the demented gleam, Lol. My first dog was a BC we had great times together but I wouldn't pick one for myself now.

There are all sorts of things you could do with a BC, but if you would be doing it purely to amuse the dog rather than to amuse yourself would it start feeling like chore over time?

Being shy doesn't really matter for agility, you could join a club that does it on a fun level.

Perhaps you could make a post listing the things that you like about the two breeds and also make a separate list of qualities/traits that you would find difficult, unpleasant or stressful. I'd also do a wish list of what your ideal dog would be like because you never know someone might be able suggest another breed that would interest you based on that.

I brought my last pup up in a house where the garden was across the road so the toilet training regime was essentially the same as for someone in a flat. I think if you are dedicated and know what to expect (which you do ) then not having a garden of your own needn't be an obstacle to any breed.

With your life style, I would go for a Whippet. Once mature they will settle so you could get on with your work.

My Whippet was bred for showing but would be quite capable of jogging with me for an hr. ( thats if I was capable.)

Sorry, I have no experience in either breed, but want to wish you luck with whichever you end up with. I have just got a puppy, exciting times eh?

Tricky! Like you say, they are dogs geared for totally different lifestyles.

I can only comment on the whippet aspect, as I have two. Here are my thoughts:

1. A whippety would fit in brilliantly with you working from home. Once they've had a walk or run, they are happy to just chill out and relax without demanding attention all the time. They are very chilled in the house (assuming they get enough exercise and stimulation); I'm not sure how a BC would fare in that respect.

2. Whippets are an ideal breed to live in a flat. They are easily house trained and very clean. They don't attract mud, they dry quickly, they don't smell and grooming is very low maintenance. This would not be the case with a collie; I wonder if it might be more difficult getting them up to a flat after a muddy walk etc.

3. Whippets can be great running partners.They have surprising stamina when trotting at human jog pace. One of mine in particular would happily jog with me for hours (if only I had the stamina!)

4. If you want to train in obedience, whippets are not the easiest. My trainer is forever telling me I "need a border collie" if I want to get anywhere!

Here's a suggestion...what about a whippet x collie lurcher? Best of both worlds!

Hi,

I am a BC fan, although only had BC crosses. We currently have a springer spaniel/collie cross pup (13 weeks old) and our previous dog was a collie cross too. When we chose our pup we wanted one that had lots of energy for long walks and possibly to run with me too. Dougal is 13 weeks old now, since he has been going out on his walks, he is much calmer in the house

I agree that whippets seem more suitable to living in a flat but if you are active outdoor people and can ensure they get plenty of outdoor exercise, I don't see a problem with either breed. ;-)

Thanks so much for all the help and good wishes.

Bones, I'd love a springer/collie cross. Having had springers and collies before, I think they're our ideal mix - but it's hard to find them! You don't exactly get springer x collie specialist breeders! I would ask around local rescue centres but so many have an automatic 'no garden, no dog' policy which is really frustrating, knowing that I've kept a very happy dog in a flat without a garden before with plenty of exercise and attention and no problems.

OK, here are the things we want in a dog:

1. Happy to go on long walks and runs (I've done 20-30 mile charity walks before and it'd be nice to take a dog along if it could handle it!)

2. A good companion for someone who's at home all day. Fun-loving and tolerant of lots of games and play (my lab used to get bored of playing with me long before I got bored of her... which is possibly a bit pathetic of me! She used to look at me like I was crazy and then go and have a nap)

3. Having grown up in the country, we both like rugged-looking, hairy, practical-looking dogs. I think this is what's putting us off a whippet the most. We like bouncy breeds with lots of endurance which could mean something like a BC, but also dogs who like a good cuddle, which I know a whippet could supply.

4. We live near some nice dog-friendly beaches so it'd be fun to take a dog swimming there - so dogs that hate water might miss out on the fun.

5. Not a barker - basically, we don't want lots of barking that would annoy neighbours. This is the downside of living in a flat. I'd be around a lot so hopefully able to stop barking before it got too bad, but I'd like to avoid an especially shouty pup!

6. I have generalised anxiety disorder so basically I'd love a loyal friend who is always around for a game and a cuddle if things start to get a bit much. But then I think that probably covers all dogs!

I think it sounds like a crossbreed would be good for us, but it's so difficult to find one from an ethical source. I don't think most rescues would give us a second look because of the garden issue :-( but maybe it's worth asking?

What an exciting time for you both. From what you say you sound like you'll be ideal responsible dog owners whatever breed you decide upon.

I grew up with a colliex who was a fantastic dog and I've also got a friend with a whippet. Both lovely breeds.

There are so many border collies in rescue, could you consider taking a rescue on in stead?

Good luck and do let us know what you decide on.

Every rescue has their own criteria; many will consider cases on an individual basis, so they flat issue may not necessarily be a problem. That's certainly the case with the whippet and sighthound rescues I volunteer for

Well, I went to a rescue today and had a good chat with the staff, and... they said it sounds like I'd offer a great home! They were so lovely and helpful - thank you everyone for encouraging me to pursue it. It was a bit heartbreaking seeing all the dogs so obviously distressed at not getting enough exercise and play, though. I did just want to bring all of them home!

Going back tomorrow with my OH so they can make sure he's not a madman or anything but so far things are looking great... and there's a lovely bouncy collie boy who caught my eye today, and who they said would be a good match for us, so fingers crossed. I'm really excited.

I thought a collie cross greyhound lurcher to be a fantastic idea He has the brains of a the greyhound and the speed of the collie Bless his little cotton socks

They do have lots of breeders of springer x collies they are a new designer breed called sprollies, the dog in rescue sounds great, exciting times ahead

Hi,

Yes, I must admit the spaniel/collie mix is our perfect dog. Before we got Dougal we were looking at a rescue preferably of collie mix but we saw the advert for "sprollies" and they matched what we were looking for. The litter was not bred as a designer mix either, just an accidental litter

Fingers crossed for the rescue collie, I'm sure you can give him a good home. From reading your posts, its the breed for you.

Our pup is 14 weeks now and he is amazing, boundless energy, intelligent, and loves a cuddle on the sofa.

Keep us posted.

I had one of those (although I thought I was getting a WSD!) and he was brilliant - the drive of a collie and the laid back attitude of a lurcher - wonderful for agility! Sadly I lost him last year.

So sorry to hear about your collie cross greyhound pam.

Went back to the rescue today. The collie we saw yesterday was with the vet today so he wasn't available, but they had another new border collie, or possibly collie cross - a girl, about eight months old. She's totally gorgeous, and had been left at the centre because her family had split up. Her little information sheet just said 'Unwanted'. :-( I don't know how anyone could not want her, because she's very bouncy and friendly and polite and just about perfect...

...so, long story short, we're bringing her home tomorrow! Thank you so much for all of your advice, everyone. I think she may actually have a little bit of whippet in there somewhere - she's got an unusually delicate little face for a collie, and she's super super cuddly. I'm so glad I checked out the rescue centre, and that's all thanks to this thread. I didn't think they'd consider us but they were great about finding a dog that would be a good match. And it's all happened so quickly! I need to buy a dog bed now!

Ooo exciting! What's she called?