Owning a Border Collie or other high drive dogs in NYC (Russell: daycare, home)

[lcfas]

I live near Columbia and attend grad school. I really want to get a Border Collie, a breed known for being smarter than most people - they also have a lot of energy and desire to connect with their owners. I'm wondering if anyone here has advice on how to keep a dog like that calm and sane in a place like NYC. Would the noise stimulation be too much for them? Affordable dog training/daycare/walkies recommendations welcome

[wawaweewa]

I grew up with a German Shorthair Pointer (he was abandoned at 6 months b/c he was just too much for his previous owners). For the first 3-4 years we took him out for an hour in the morning and 2 in the evening and let him run free. He's 10 years old now and he's fairly healthy and still very muscular although lazy as all get out now. lol


Don't get a large, high energy breed if you're not willing to provide them with the necessary exercise and stimulation. It's unfair to them and it'll make you miserable.

[BugsyPal]

Originally Posted by lcfas

I live near Columbia and attend grad school. I really want to get a Border Collie, a breed known for being smarter than most people - they also have a lot of energy and desire to connect with their owners. I'm wondering if anyone here has advice on how to keep a dog like that calm and sane in a place like NYC. Would the noise stimulation be too much for them? Affordable dog training/daycare/walkies recommendations welcome

Border Collies are the new "in" dog breed for NYC, in particular Manhattan. I see them all over the UES and elsewhere. In fact at least three households on our block have them.


Will say this though; like all highly energetic and breed to work dogs such as Jack Russell terriers BCs aren't probably the best choice to be left on their own all day. That is if you are at work/school and there isn't a "significant other" who stays at home and more importantly is on board... you might want to consider a good dog sitter/walker. That or maybe choose another breed.

Search around, there is bound to be a BC group for NYC/Manhattan somewhere online. That and or head out to your local park/dog run (Central Park, etc...) and speak with owners of BCs. Oh and of course if you see someone walking a BC just ask them for advice. I find most are happy to chat about their dogs.

[K 22]

Ona semi-related note: isn't Tribeca "Big Dog Central"? I swear whenever I'm there or in Battery Park City I see some gigantic, Scooby-Doo sized dogs more often than not.

[hancox17]

Border collies, while they are wonderful and intelligent dogs, need to "work". They need space and they need to burn energy. They will not be happy with a couple of walks a day and they won't be happy being left alone. I would think about another breed, for the dog's sake. I love them too but I would never get one here.