You can have a loving pet that is well trained without spending 24 hours a day for 2 years with your collie. You can even have a Lassie, IF you have the time, patience and techniques to train your collie. You will wind up with a dog that is big, unruly and disobedient. You can find out how to train your collie from local community organizations, or from books and tapes. The Lassie Dog Training System videos will show you first hand how to train your collie for basic obedience.
Most dogs are protective of their families.
Collies, being herding dogs by nature, will attempt to herd your family where it wants them to go, and there are plenty of stories of collies saving their families from harm. All breeds of dogs have difference personalities. A lot depends on the training and socialization you give your pup and the amount of confidence he has. With the proper training, a shy dog, or an outgoing dog, will both become wonderful members of the family. But if you are expecting your collie to understand the English language, you will be very disappointed.