So you have a Border Collie and you love it! In fact, you love it so much that you want to get another. You are sure that your dog would thrive with a friend around to keep him company. Perhaps you want to get another Border Collie, or maybe you are wondering what other dog breed he might get along with.
Well, you are in the right place this article can be your guide and answer all your questions about getting another dog to be a companion for your furry companion.
Your Border Collie could greatly benefit from the companionship of another dog in the house. It can provide them with a friend and a playmate that will take some pressure off of you for entertainment and attention. It may take some time for your Collie to get used to and become friends with another dog in the household.
If your Border Collie is not well behaved and you are wanting to get him/her a companion because you think that will help him be less bored, think again! I’ll explain why that might just add to your problems instead of helping. You will also learn about the best companion breed for your Border Collie and how to introduce them to each other successfully.
How to tell if my Border Collie is lonely
You may be wanting to get a friend for your Border Collie if you think they are feeling lonely and need some companionship. Here are some clues that might indicate your Border Collie is lonely.
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- Your Collie follows you around the house everywhere
- Your Collie howls or cries when you leave
- Your Collie is less interested in playing and sleeps more than usual
- Your Collie licks their fur so much that they start to lose their hair
- Your Collie is being destructive and getting into trouble
Does your Collie need a friend?
Border Collie can be energetic, feisty, and playful. Like most dogs, they love nothing more than to play with and be part of a pack! Getting another dog for your Collie to play with and grow up with can be a great idea for many reasons but your Collie will need to be well socialized and trained before you bring home another pet.
Having a playmate can help keep your Border Collie from getting bored, and can take some of the pressure off of you to constantly entertain.
Having more than one Border Collie can be a lot of fun for you. Talking with many Collie owners who have multiple Collies I haven’t had a single one tell me they regret it! They have so many wonderful stories about how their dogs are best friends and really help to keep each other company!
Animals are so fun to watch and their horseplay is always entertaining. Just think about how many hours you can spend on YouTube watching cute Border Collie videos.
If your Border Collie has separation anxiety and gets very lonely when you leave him alone getting him a companion to keep him company could be a great comfort and help to him.
Border Collies are one of the larger breeds and so you will need to take into account. Having one dog is expensive, but having multiple dogs can get even more expensive. It is estimated that it costs $2000-$6000 a year to own a dog so be sure you are ready for the additional cost it entails
Why you shouldn’t get another dog for your Border Collie
If you are thinking of getting a friend for your Border Collie because your Collie is bored and getting into a lot of trouble, think again! You shouldn’t get your Border Collie a companion dog if your Border Collie is not already well behaved.
Finding that tipped-over garbage can with chewed-up trash isn’t fun for any pet parent, but it will be double trouble if you add another puppy to the mix. You may think that he’s bored and his antics of getting into the garbage can or constantly barking at the neighbors indicate he needs a playmate, but that’s not necessarily true.
If your Border Collie is getting into a lot of trouble you may need to think about how much time you are able to devote to your dog. If you’re not able to give them several hours (not necessarily in a row) of your time each day to walk them, play with them, teach them, etc.. then you are probably not ready to get another dog that will also demand more of your time and attention.
Border Collies are high energy, need a job to do, and demand a lot of time. Their herding instincts could potentially cause problems around other animals. Cats for example can become very annoyed and possibly aggressive around a Border Collie trying to assert his will over it.
Make sure your Border Collie is well trained and socialized first! Not only will this make it easier on you now, but it will also be easier if you do add another pet down the line. If you are successful with this then your Border Collie will be better able to handle the new transition, and he will also be better equipped to help you train a new dog the right way to do things.
Many Collie owners find great success in using this online program to train their dogs. This gives them a great foundation!
If you aren’t prepared to deal with the financial cost of another dog then you shouldn’t get one just for the sake of your Border Collie to have a friend. Vet visits, vaccinations, flea treatments, grooming, treats, and toys can all add up. You don’t want to feel like you need to get a second job to pay for a second pet, that kind of just defeats the purpose.
This article covers the cost of grooming a Border Collie: Cost to Groom a Border Collie (Owners Surveyed)
If you have a very senior dog then getting a puppy might not be the right fit. Sometimes puppies can help keep a senior dog fit and active, but more often it can cause your senior dog stress, and be very bothersome for them.
Having a companion for your Border Collie can be wonderful, but if and when something happens to either dog and they pass away, it can be devastating and very difficult for your remaining dog to deal with. Often they will begin to feel very depressed and it could take a long time for them to get over the separation from their friend.
Do Border Collies get along with other dogs?
This is a tricky one. If your Border Collie is very well socialized and has had a lot of practice around other dogs it’s likely that they will do well with another breed. The size and temperament of both dogs are big factors. Border Collies have a very strong desire to be in charge and herd other animals. With these willful personalities, they tend to like being the Alpha dog.
Large or small breed dogs with Border Collies?
Dogs that match the size and temperament of Border Collie can do really well together. Collie mixes are popular among Aussie owners.
If you currently have a Border Collie and are planning to bring home a small breed dog, you will need to be very careful to always monitor the puppy around your Collie. Puppies have a lot of energy and it takes several years to train them (up to 3 years for some stubborn dogs).
Your Collie will need to be very patient and gentle with this new little dog. If they play to rough then your new dog could be hurt or become fearful around your larger dog.
When I asked Border Collie owners what large breed dogs they have that work well with their Border Collies Here’s what they told me.
- Australian Shepherd
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Bullmastiff
- Newfoundland
- Greyhound
- Standard Poodle
- German Shepherd
- Labs
- St Bernard
- English Mastiff
I asked Collie owners what other breeds get along best with their Border Collie and the overwhelming reply was to just get another Collie!
If a Border Collie is well socialized he can get along with any pet, he loves to herd and chase so expect that from him no matter what!
A good way to test how your Collie does with other dogs is carefully and safely putting them in situations where they can practice being around other dogs. Dog parks, going to the pet store, walking in busy areas are all good things to try. It could also be a good idea to invite some friends and family members to bring their dog to your house to get an idea of how your Collie will react to another dog being in their territory.
Does age and sex matter when getting a Border Collie companion?
Does age matter when thinking about getting another dog? Why not just get 2 puppies from the same litter, or even just 2 puppies at the same time?
…..Well, there is something called littermate syndrome, which you can read more about here, but basically, 2 puppies can get so attached to each other that it can cause extreme anxiety and behavior problems for one or both of them. This will cause a lot of extra care and work on your part to fix.
In order to avoid littermate syndrome, Behaviorists recommend waiting until your puppy is at least 1 or 2 years old and has some good solid training before adding another addition.
For older dogs, it could go one of two ways. If you have a relatively healthy older Border Collie, then having a puppy around could be great for keeping them playful and youthful, but if you’re older Border Collie has health issues and doesn’t have a lot of energy having a puppy around could cause a lot of added stress for them. Either way, you will want to have space where your older dog can go to escape and be alone when they want a break.
What about gender? Generally speaking, dogs of the opposite sex are best with each other. This is because they can both be the Alpha of their own gender, so you will most likely have less squabbling and fighting. If you do end up getting two of the same gender, two males usually do best together.
How to introduce your Border Collie to a new dog
At this point, you have probably decided if getting another dog for your Border Collie sounds like a great idea or not. After all, it’s worked well for a lot of other owners…. Piece of cake!
Well…. even if your Border Collie is really well behaved, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to be smooth sailing. Most of the owners I talked to say it takes a bit of time and planning to make things turn out successfully. It also takes some patience and understanding that your new dog and Collie will most likely not instantly become best friends.
So here’s what you can do to help foster a healthy friendship!
Prepare beforehand
You will want to have a separate space for your new dog where he can feel safe and secure in a new environment.
- separate feeding bowls in different areas
- separate crate or playpen
- separate sleeping area
- separate toys and chew things
Your dogs will hopefully end up sharing a bed, and possibly other things as well, but to begin with, it’s important that the dogs have no reason to feel threatened by each other. They need to know that they are not going to miss out on anything by having the other one around.
Also if you are bringing a puppy home they will need more confinement as they are learning to be trained as well as a separate space to sleep since their sleep cycle will be very different than an older dog.
Carefully introduce them
It’s best to let them meet each other on neutral territory. Somewhere outside the home, or even in your front yard (away from your front door), a neighbor’s yard, or a nearby park with no one around or limited distractions.
Have them both on a leash and harness and let them smell each other on their own terms. Don’t force it. If they start showing signs of nervousness or aggression, it’s best to back off and try again later when they are calmer and in a quieter place with less distraction. Praise and give rewards to both dogs for positive interactions.
Once they have had a good first meeting you can bring the new dog inside and take a chance to show them around. You’ll want to keep them separated at first and closely monitor interactions while introducing them to each other a little at a time. Some dogs will get along right away, others will take a little longer.
It’s best to have a backup plan if the meeting doesn’t go well or your new dog doesn’t get along with your existing one. If you are able to have the new dog or puppy on a trial basis to make sure things work out that would be the best option. That way the breeder or previous owner is prepared to help find another family if needed. If you have another family member that can get involved and take care of the new dog, that could be another option for a backup plan.
Chances are with the right environment and loving care, your new addition will get along fabulously with your Border Collie, and they will be on their way to a long-lasting and wonderful friendship!
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