From: saavik@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Marla Belzowski (K-9's))
Subject: Collies in apartments
Organization: Purdue University
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 03:24:37 GMT



>I really like big dogs, but I have an apartment.  The apartment is 1100  
>square feet, 2-stories, with a 5x10, 6-foot high fenced, concrete patio  
>off the back door.  We are on the ground level with a grassy yard and tree  
>outside our front door.  However, the surroundings are city-like.  I was  
>thinking of walking/running the dog at a nearby park and our hike/bike  
>trail.  I am willing to take it out for walks twice a day and can come  
>home for lunch while it is a puppy.

A good start.

>I really like Collies and I have read that they are relatively inactive  
>indoors.  Does anybody have any experience with Collies indoors or in an  
>apartment?  If anyone can reccommend another large (over 45 pounds) breed  
>that might do well in my situation I would be grateful!  I am also looking  
>for a smart dog that I can train easily.  Initially I liked German  
>Shepherds, but I think they need a yard and lots of space, although I have  
>heard of people having them in apartments.  Any comments? Thanks!

>Diane Harvey
>diane@pencom.com


I currently have three collies.  Mauii is 5.5 year old and my first collie.
In my opinion collies are by far the best dogs there are.  Versatile, 
intelligent, loyal, sensitive, mellow - but full of energy, the best            
combination.  As you can see, I'm rather biased.  :)

Mauii and Wolfie have been staying with me down here in Lafayette this
year.  I am renting part of a house that has a good sized fenced back yard,
and is very close to a park.  Mauii is great in the house, but then again
she is older.  Wolfie, her son, is ok in the house.  He tends to
get a little over rambunctious if he doesn't get his daily walks or
runs along side my bike.  They both are very tidy dogs, neither mess
up the house or chew things anymore (except their own toys).  The
only thing really bad about them in the house is the fur!  Rough
collies can shed a lot of fur in the spring.  

As long as a collie gets a good hour long walk, they are usually
pretty content in the house.  My two understand that no 
rough housing is allowed in the house, so they just mostly
sleep and quietly play with their toys.  

Puppy collies on the other hand can be devious!!!!  They are intelligent
little critters and will get into everything if not crated.  Juilee,
our newest member is just 6 month old.  She needs extra attention
in the house and needs a lot of time for potty-breaks.  She tends
to get really rambunctious in the house, but she tries to immitate
her hero, Wolfie, and act like a grown-up collie just to be like him.

I'm sure you won't be disappointed with  collie.  But be
careful about where you get one.  Never get one from a pet store!!
(or any other breed for that matter).  Collies do have eye problems
and responsible breeders will know and check for this.  Also, make
sure you like the temperment of the puppy's parents.  Collies are
not known for hip problems, but be cautious about it anyway.

Good luck with your new pup!

-----------------------
Marla Belzowski   saavik@mentor.cc.purdue.edu
Mauii Nikki Belzowski CD CGC TDI CERF
Brittish Legend of Beowulf CD CGC TDI CERF  tri-color collies
Legend's Year of Jubilee  6 mo sable and white collie  (1st show Nov 15)