German Shepherd / Border Collie Cross Breeds...?

Scania · 14 Aug 2013 at 15:41

Myself and my wife are considering another dog, unfortunately, our last dog Jake attacked a neighbors child and had to be put down, as per this thread....

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18529258

Since hes been gone, we've missed having a dog - and him - around and as such are looking into having another.

Anybody had or have a German Shepherd / Border Collie Cross Breed? - I'm looking into general traits, temperament, good around the house etc.

Decided on a different type of dog this time, be it a German Shepherd / Border Collie Cross or whatever, we don't want another Whippet.

I've owned a Pedigree German Shepherd previously, from a puppy, and am well aware how they can be as a breed, mine was huge and as soft as a brush to anything not in a Postman's uniform! :eek:

but certainly a handful that required and was well trained and disciplined.

Any feedback appreciated, if you want to have a rant / comment about me putting down the other dog though, please post in the thread I link above.

Thanks.

McGray · 14 Aug 2013 at 15:43

Get a goldfish.

Catanonia · 14 Aug 2013 at 15:47

Go GSD as you seem to understand them. Amazing family dogs if treated and disciplined well from a pup.

neil_g · 14 Aug 2013 at 15:48

collies need to be worked, they are very active.

'Harry · 14 Aug 2013 at 15:56

Get a rescue.

Uncle Petey · 14 Aug 2013 at 16:00

As long as you have the time and energy that these breeds require, then yeah.

I'm sure you know that, having owned one

scorchisio · 14 Aug 2013 at 16:02

why must you have a dog? they just make your house stink and take up time.

Uncle Petey · 14 Aug 2013 at 16:03

scorchisio said:
why must you have a dog? they just make your house stink and take up time.

Why must you feel compelled to share this narrow minded crap?

Clarkson · 14 Aug 2013 at 16:04

German shepherd! (Some bias

)

In my experience, good with kids, but also offers some protection in the form of being a bit scary

But I think they are intelligent enough and have a certain self assurance, so wouldn't just randomly attack someone unless trained to do so (police dog).

Can't beat seeing the look on cretinous youths faces when you walk down the road with something not far from a wolf on the end of your arm.

C.R.A.Z.Y · 14 Aug 2013 at 16:06

scorchisio said:
why must you have a dog? they just make your house stink and take up time.

The smell of well looked after dogs is lovely as is the time spent exercising and bonding with them, but I guess if you're one of those weird people who hate animals you might have a point

Scania · 14 Aug 2013 at 16:08

'Harry said:
Get a rescue.

Bit inclined against another rescue, the Whippet was a rescue dog and clearly had issues from his past, fancy doing it from scratch this time with a puppy (as I did with my previous German Shepherd) and training / raising it from the word go (although not looking forward to chewing etc!)

Was thinking along the lines of a GSD/Collie cross due to both breeds intelligence (although I know this cant be guaranteed!) and hoping for a slightly smaller dog than a GSD which again, I know it isn't guaranteed in a cross.

Clarkson said:
Can't beat seeing the look on cretinous youths faces when you walk down the road with something not far from a wolf on the end of your arm.

Quite.

I remember this from my old GSD, she was very big and looked the part, even if as soft as **** once you actually got to know her.

Conscript · 14 Aug 2013 at 16:13

I can't speak for owning a GSD/BC cross, but I do have a Labrador/Collie cross. If your dog inherits the traits of the crossbreed anything like mine, prepare to have a dog that is absolutely full of energy all the time - my Bella is 11 years old, yet darts around like a much younger dog. Other dog owners I come across cannot believe how old she is, partly due to the great condition she's in, but mainly due to the extreme energy she has. She runs rings around dogs half her age, and even if she does stop to rest, you only have to make to throw a ball and she's up again.

She's also very intelligent, especially being crossed with a Labrador. My GF was telling me that one of the breeds (cant remember, Lab or Collie) as an adult has about the same intelligence level as a 2 year old human. Not sure how true this is.

C.R.A.Z.Y · 14 Aug 2013 at 16:16

Scania said:
(as I did with my previous German Shepherd)

Clearly past events suggest you're not up too the job of training and supervising a big powerful and potentially dangerous dog such as an alsatian :confused:

**edit** my bad thought I read you were thinking of getting another alsatian

Maybe a Pomeranian would be a better breed given your track record

jk

JonJ678 · 14 Aug 2013 at 17:18

I grew up with a lab/collie - unsurprisingly I think he was essentially perfect. The better half has a springer who again is lovely. We're going to get a springer/collie cross as soon as we're in a position to take care of it - but I don't expect it to be an easy cross to care for. Anticipating it bouncing off walls and needing several hours of running a day, so probably not for everyone.

Everyone around here seems to have a husky. That seems like a crap idea, it's too hot for something that furry, and no-one can spend eight hours a day running around with it.

Bennie-Mac · 14 Aug 2013 at 17:42

C.R.A.Z.Y said:
Clearly past events suggest you're not up too the job of training and supervising a big powerful and potentially dangerous dog such as an alsatian
**edit** my bad thought I read you were thinking of getting another alsatian

Maybe a Pomeranian would be a better breed given your track record jk

An Alsatian is a German Shepherd :confused:

darael · 14 Aug 2013 at 18:07

If you're prepared to walk it every single day for at least a good hour, go for a Border Collie pure. Don't let the kids treat it like a rag doll and all should be good.

They love a hell of a good run and can handle running alongside a bike for while - obivously not at full belt!

dfarrall · 14 Aug 2013 at 18:19

IMO you shouldn't get another dog, you didn't understand the last ones needs and behaviors well enough to keep it from being child aggressive.

Collies in particular can be sensitive around loud/unpredictable children and as you killed the last dog for this reason, i would say definitely not.

vicisthebest · 15 Aug 2013 at 10:49

C.R.A.Z.Y said:
Clearly past events suggest you're not up too the job of training and supervising a big powerful and potentially dangerous dog such as an alsatian
**edit** my bad thought I read you were thinking of getting another alsatian

Maybe a Pomeranian would be a better breed given your track record jk

The dog he had PTS was a whippet... Not a GSD... :confused:

and he already said the whippet was an adult rescue dog when he got it that had probably had a **** past. He has shown he is capable of training a GSD if his previous one was 'huge, but soft as ****'.

Orch · 15 Aug 2013 at 10:54

'Harry said:
Get a rescue.

This 100%.

We got an 18 month old Lab/Collie cross rescue recently. So glad we did. Firstly it's nice skipping the puppy house training stage and secondly even better knowing that a homeless dog now has a loving family.

She is great with out 15 month old boy too. In fact they are pretty much best friends.

Windle · 15 Aug 2013 at 10:58

Orch said:
This 100%.

We got an 18 month old Lab/Collie cross rescue recently. So glad we did. Firstly it's nice skipping the puppy house training stage and secondly even better knowing that a homeless dog now has a loving family.

She is great with out 15 month old boy too. In fact they are pretty much best friends.

Whilst it's great that you've had a good experience, rescue dogs aren't for everyone and it greatly depends on the specific dog. Many have been badly treated and thus it is fairly common to get a rescue dog that has significant behavioural problems. I wouldn't put anyone off getting a rescue dog as I think it's great that they are willing to rehome but you have to go into it with eyes open.