WHEN selecting a dog breed, the most important factor is finding one that suits your lifestyle.
While it might be tempting to follow trends, choosing a canine companion based on popularity alone can lead to serious regrets, warns Will Atherton.
Will, 34, is a canine behaviourist who is on a mission to educate people about the importance of choosing the right breed for your family and lifestyle.
His work has saved thousands of pooches from shelters and the euthanasia table.
Will wants all potential dog owners to do their research before committing to a .
He stresses the importance of only owning a dog that you are certain you can handle.
But due to flippant attitudes towards dog ownership in the UK, he’s noticed there’s one breed that always regret bringing into their home.
That breed is Border Collies.
“They are able and capable of unbelievable feats of training with their working capacity of herding sheep,”; Will told .
“They are an absolute joy to watch.
“However, some people hear that they’re the smartest dog in the world and the most trainable dog in the world.
“And what they hear is, ‘easy to train’ as opposed to, ‘most trainable’.”;
Due to their high energy levels, Border Collies need more physical and mental stimulation than the average family can provide.
Without this enrichment, they can become bored and develop behavioural problems like excessive barking, digging or destructive chewing.
“Families try to fit this dog that’s bred to work for hours and hours every day into a busy family life,”; Will explained.
“I’ve worked with many Border Collies who get bored and extremely destructive.
“They often will herd – that’s a common behaviour I have to help with.”;
As they are bred to herd sheep, have strong herding instincts.
When confined to a family home for most of their time, this can manifest as chasing behaviours, nipping at heels or herding family members.
Will has even worked on cases where frustrated Border Collies have pulled children around by their clothes.
They require ample space to run and play, the expert added.
This means they won’t thrive in small homes without access to big outdoor areas where they can burn off energy.
While Border Collies can make loving and loyal companions for the right families, Will urged potential owners to carefully consider whether they can provide the time, attention and resources necessary to meet the breed's unique requirements.
