Border collies in apartments – is it doable? More people are moving closer towards the city for many reasons, with the main one being the hunt for career opportunities. But unless you have inherited a large property, moving to the metropolis often means living in an apartment.
So, is it right for Border collies to make the move, as well? Many experts discourage raising Border collies in apartments, and some shelters have a real bias against apartment dwellers wanting to adopt Border collies.
Read on to find out whether or not city life welcomes your Border collie.
Can They Live in Apartments?
As you may already know, the Border collie is the world’s premier herding breed. Border collies herd chickens, cattle, and sheep. Since herding is hardwired into his genes, he will do best with a large acreage complete with farm animals to look after. Then again, that does not mean the Border collie is bound in the countryside forever.
Pet owners moving with their Border collies in apartments do not necessarily spell misery for the dog. What other people fail to realize is that your time is a more important commodity than the amount of space you have. As long as you are willing to go out of your way to meet your dog’s needs, he should do wonderfully in his new home.
So, how do you make this transition run smoothly as possible?
Always Make Time
Border collies need daily exercise, preferably outside where they can get a new battery of smells and sights to stimulate their intelligent minds. Most importantly, they need to spend quality time with their family. This could be jogging around the neighborhood at daybreak, playing games at the park after getting home, and tagging along with you wherever you go during the weekends.
Playing mentally challenging games is also vital to a Border collie, and even more so for a puppy. Otherwise, Doggo will find ways to challenge himself, which then yields results that aren’t so pretty. Because similar to a human child, your four-legged kid will find ways to get your attention by any means necessary.
Tip: A dog park is the closest you will get to having your own backyard.
Put the Volume Down
Curbing the need to bark is another challenge when living with Border collies in apartments. Apartments come with a lot of distractions, especially if you share walls, ceilings, or floors with other people. Your big barker will hear a lot of things – buzzing vacuums, clanking dishes, scurrying footsteps, and whatnot.
Apartment neighbors seldom tolerate a vocal dog, so help your collie distinguish recurring events from actual threats. Otherwise, someone might report you to the landlord. Don’t worry; Border collies are smart dogs, so they catch on quickly.
Tip: Do not distract your dog with food or toys when he barks incessantly for no reason. Simply ignore him. He will stop eventually. Make a fuss and reward him as soon as he stops.
Prepare an Indoor Pet Loo
Since apartment dwellers seldom have the luxury of a sprawling green space, it will be difficult for your pooch to do his business. You will have to go outside each time Doggo needs to tinkle. An excellent strategy to address your pet’s indoor toileting needs is to provide him with the PETMAKER Grass Mat.
This product replicates the feeling of grass, making it easier for canines to “go.” Urine will flow through the non-toxic turf and get collected in a reservoir down below.
Do Not Leave Your Beastfriend Too Long
Border collies always need to be with their family, as they are highly emotional. As with any dog, it is wrong to leave your Border collie alone for a long period. If you have to leave your pooch out of necessity, it helps to enroll him in a doggie daycare or hire a reputable nanny.
Although you can leave your Border Collie alone indoors while you are at work, you need to be sure to make it up for your pooch once you get home. Border collies love to interact with their humans.
Are Border Collies Good Indoor Dogs?
Border collies are not the best indoor dogs because they are overflowing with energy. Not to mention, they have a strong drive to work, work, and work. However, the breed’s physical activity requirement cannot be fulfilled just by letting him out or providing him with a large open space to run.
Are Border Collies Comfortable in Smaller Spaces?
Many people think that a Border collie would miss out a lot in life if he lives in the city. However, a Border collie can still be miserable, even if you have 10 acres of land and a horde of animals. With that being said, it is not about the size of your home that matters.
At the end of the day, what matters most is the time and effort you are willing to put in to keep your Border collie healthy and happy. While flats and condos do not have a dedicated outdoor space, there are plenty of dog parks and pet-friendly establishments in the city where you can take your dog.
What Are Some Good Indoor Dogs?
Chow Chow
The Chow Chows of old were hunting companions and guard dogs of Imperial China. But although this basal breed began life as a working dog, the modern-day Chow Chow is adaptable to apartment living.
No one would ever think of the Chow Chow as a goofy pooch. Contrary to his Teddy Bear looks, he does not fancy cuddling, but he may also like to sit quietly beside his favorite person as a sign of affection. Nevertheless, this charming dog is extremely loyal and protective of his family.
Although the fastidious Chow Chow has high grooming needs, he does not tolerate the heat well. Therefore, he is best kept indoors, especially when the weather is sweltering. Likewise, he does not need much exercise. A 15-minute walk each day will suffice.
Dachshunds
Also known as the Sausage Dog, he is popular with apartment dwellers because of his manageable size. Since Dachshunds have long bodies and short stubby legs, too much jumping and running could cause spinal problems. Hence, he would serve as a great fit for families that are content to stay at home.
However, early training is crucial to help him curb his love for barking. Dachshunds were bred as hunting dogs, so they tend to bark a lot. He also scores high in destruction.
French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs do not bark a lot, which is an excellent quality of a good apartment dog. Likewise, Frenchies respond well to people they meet, which is good news since your pooch will be seeing many people as you go in and out of your apartment.
A Frenchie can live a life full of joy in an apartment. And if you are not around, he is more than happy to play with his chew bones and toys indoors.
Greyhound
Running at 72 kilometers per hour, Greyhounds can run almost twice faster than Usain Bolt. But ironically, the world’s fastest canine is lazy as a sloth. He loafs around watching TV if not taking naps.
Since Greyhounds are sensitive to extreme heat and cold, they are strictly indoor dogs. During winter, these pooches will be most comfortable wearing a wool coat. Adding to that is his quiet and gentle demeanor, which makes him the perfect apartment dog.
Conclusion
Not every person who lives in an apartment is fit to have a Border collie, but any Border collie will do well living in a small apartment if his guardians will go out of their way to meet his needs adequately.
Take note that a dog’s demeanor and personality are a direct reflection of the commitment of his owner. Know what you are getting into before choosing any breed. Learn basic housebreaking skills. By doing this, it will be easier for you to raise a dog regardless of breed, and you will be happy with your choice.