Puppy or Adult Border Collie

Hey,
I was wondering for the border collie owners, which is more hyper and crazy, a border collie puppy (up to a year) or adult?

And when do you notice their peak craziness?

My take on this is Border Collies are "hyper and crazy" if not exercised sufficiently, both mentally and physically. It doesn't matter the age :shrug:. Consider that they were bred for herding livestock for hours upon hours each day. They are super intelligent, agile dogs with tonnes of stamina and, when trained/exercised properly, make wonderful pets for very active people.

I absolutely adore them, but if you are particularly concerned with their "craziness" they probably aren't the breed for you. There really is no "peak"...they can become challenging at any time if they are not exercised VERY well and mentally stimulated every day.

That's assuming you are looking to get one...I'm not really sure by your question if you are.

The answer to which is more "hyper or crazy" could be neither or either. Neither should be, but either could be depending on certain circumstances as well as breeding/bloodlines.

Neither is more "hyper or crazy" when they are properly trained, stimulated, exercised and taught how to settle down for a time out. Puppies will be puppies, regardless of breed, they all need the same kind of early training in regards to basic obedience and manners. I'm not sure what age your pup was when you brought her home but I'm guessing that after a few weeks in her new home she's adjusting, gaining confidence and becoming more boisterous. This is a great time to get her learning all the basic necessities, including the time out/off switch. If you spend time training or playing and you know she will be about ready to wind down and nap, you can make a point of sitting down to read, watch TV, use the computer etc. (anything quiet) and give her a toy or chewie of some kind right by your feet. It won't take her long to make the connection that when you take some time out so should she. Mine will settle no matter where in the house we are, but it is especially evident in my little office when I have a pile of dogs all stretched out around me and under my feet sleeping while I'm at the computer. They will stay there for however long I do and won't move until I decide it's time to go upstairs.

Things like stuffed Kongs or smoked marrow bones are great for keeping pups and dogs alike quietly occupied. The treats aren't something that is necessary all the time, but can help when training them to settle and are always an appreciated snack :dog: I like to give treats like that during periods of enforced inactivity when my guys are more likely to want to rip around the house (like after the spring melt and heavy spring rains when everything is mud soup here. I sometimes end up leaving them behind when I'm out doing the farm chores or else they'd be tearing through the mud (and melted down horse manure) getting totally splattered in it and bringing it all in the house. Also after a spay/neuter surgery it's great to have something yummy to occupy a pup, it really seems to take their mind off of licking or chewing at the incision.

Btw, BC's are generally a fairly long-lived breed and can often be quite active and healthy into their mid-teens. That doesn't mean that they have to (or should!) spend their life being either hyper or crazy though.

Hey all thanks for the answers.

I have no problem with my pup being either, some people just keep rudely telling me that "Oh my you have a border collie, good luck" and "they're insane and hyper, you just wait till it's an adult".

It's VERY annoying! It irritates me that people would even suggest that I didn't do YEARS of research before picking on a breed that would suit me and my lifestyle.

My pup Luna is never destructive or psychotic, and thats why people say "you just wait till it's older"

I agree completely with if you give them enough physical excercise and mental stimulation theyre quite happy and very sweet.

I think it depends on the dog owner... Whatever breed it is, it should be trained well... Border collies I know aren't crazy, they're lovely...

Lineage plays a big part in this, but my guy is 9 years old this year and he is still just as crazy as he was as a puppy, he is well behaved but when the mood strikes him watch out.
I honestly think this breed will run full tilt until the day they die.
If you let them get bored they make their own fun which can be costly

I hear you on people telling you "oh, you don't know what you're in for." "oh your brave!" "just wait till.. (fill in the blank)."

Those people are making assumptions on things they have heard - a border collie with nothing to do will be destructive, crazy, or hyper. It sounds like you have a good idea what you are doing, so try not to let other peoples comments bother you.

My border collie Nova was a handful as a puppy, but only because she just wanted to put everything in her mouth. She didn't want to sleep when she was out, so we'd put her in her crate for naps. Worked out well. She is now very good in the house, calm and relaxed when she's in her downtime.

I only call Nova crazy when she has a job to do - whether it's agility, frisbee, playing with the water hose - that is when she is intense. That is also what I love about the breed, their desire to work and put 100% into their tasks.

There is no 'peak' - I know border collies 12-14 that are still intense and driven to their tasks. Thats your girl in your avatar? She's adorable! :cloud9:

I hear you on people telling you "oh, you don't know what you're in for." "oh your brave!" "just wait till.. (fill in the blank)."

Those people are making assumptions on things they have heard - a border collie with nothing to do will be destructive, crazy, or hyper. It sounds like you have a good idea what you are doing, so try not to let other peoples comments bother you.

My border collie Nova was a handful as a puppy, but only because she just wanted to put everything in her mouth. She didn't want to sleep when she was out, so we'd put her in her crate for naps. Worked out well. She is now very good in the house, calm and relaxed when she's in her downtime.

I only call Nova crazy when she has a job to do - whether it's agility, frisbee, playing with the water hose - that is when she is intense. That is also what I love about the breed, their desire to work and put 100% into their tasks.

There is no 'peak' - I know border collies 12-14 that are still intense and driven to their tasks. Thats your girl in your avatar? She's adorable! :cloud9:

I second everything Spatx so eloquently said above!

I agree with the two of you and wouldn't trade my BC in for the world, I guess they are just not for everyone.

I agree with the two of you and wouldn't trade my BC in for the world, I guess they are just not for everyone.

Yep, they are definitely special ;) :D