Opinions about Border Collie

Well, as I said earlier, I have a border collie/Chow Chow mix.  Bear loves to be ouside and he loves his walks, but he knows that when he is inside that he has to be calm.  He loves to play, but he'll stop if you tell him to.
 
For a mix, it would be pretty impossible to guess at their temperament.  The reason why some dogs are destructive is because they are bored, or think they are alpha dogs.  Before getting a dog, you should about dog behaviour and the correct ways to train your dog to avoid any problems down the road.
 
Good luck, []

Regarding border collies, it really does depend on what they are mixed with and on the individual dog.  Many border collies do fine in urban homes with no yard, but it does take a lot of dedication to keep them happy.  Mental and physical activity are key or you will end up with the energetic and destructive dog you describe.  They are wonderful dogs and can make great pets in the right homes with the right owners. 
 
Be patient in your search for the right dog.  Just because the local shelters don't have what you want right now, that doesn't mean that in a week or a month they won't.  In the meantime, maybe you can volunteer at a shelter to walk dogs or socialize them.  You'd be able to get some experience with different breed and you might just stumble upon the perfect dog for you.
 
I can't help you with info on terriers because I've never had one but I'd caution against a border collie/terrier mix unless you are a more experienced dog owner, depending on the dog, of course.

I have an Aussie and I know how much excercise she requires - I think you could double that for a Border.  I called a friend who has one and she said to be prepared to run this dog as often as possible.  They are extremely smart and will break you down if you don't keep their minds and their bodies excercised.

I have a border collie/beagle mix and I can tell you she is much "busier" (I like that word better than hyper) than my other two dogs- she rarely sits still!  I wouldn't say its a problem- we have a fenced in yard and she runs around a lot with one of my other dogs, I walk her at least twice a day for at least a half hour, and we have been working on obedience (which I think really wears her out the best)- so she is not destructive or anything like that.  She is more work than my other dogs, but she is so affectionate, smart and darn cute that I can't imagine life without her!
 
I wouldn't say she is an "easy" dog, like my other two.  She is a bit of a challenge, but what a sweetie!

Thanks all for replying to this thread.

I know what I'm getting myself into, a smarting, energetic, very active and loving dog which needs alot of attention (which I can provide since most of my free time, I just stay home me and in front of the computer; I need someone who can give me love and be right on my side.). I'm somewhat an energetic, active person who likes to be outdoor, but there isn't any motivation (I don't have anyone to hang out with) so this can be a good breed for me. I know during the summer time right now (school off) I can spend alot of time with the dog, but during school time I'm not home from 7 to 3, I can be back and spend most of the evening with the dog. Also, my dad is usually home most of the time, but h legs are not stable (have hard time walking far), but I know he can sit in front of the house, throw/fetch with the dog. It can benefit him also, because he stays home and doesn't do much productive things, so I want him to sometime be outdoor and do something that can work him out a little. (This just my layout)
Is there any alternative to keep them busy? One day the family might be at home, and want the dog to do something that wouldn't destroy anything in the house. I saw on one thread where there Toys which can keep them busy.

That dog I'm planning to contact the foster mom, I'm not sure what kind of mix she is, but I'm planning to find all those info hopefully tonite.

As of right now, I still searching around to see what other breeds can fit my lifestyle, and what I can give them.
Thanks one again, everyone post has gave me knowledge, I rather hear opinions than doing research.

If anyone have any input, please post it!!
Thanks!!

I crate Zoey when we are not home.  Our schedules vary, but she has been crated for up to eight hours on occasion.  She seems to do just fine, but boy, is she ever glad to see us when we get home!!!

Yes I love those feeling, where you're tired from what you did that day, and come home to see a happy face on a dog, licking, kissing and etc. That gives me motivation lol.

I'm somewhat an energetic, active person who likes to be outdoor, but there isn't any motivation (I don't have anyone to hang out with) so this can be a good breed for me.

This is one common sentiment that concerns me when people are looking to get their first BC or Mix - and I see it a LOT. My experience has been that often times the people who get a BC "so the dog will help them be more active" are often not very successful in getting more active, and wind up with a destructive dog and frustrated person. I also wouldn't count on the dog making your father more active either - it usually doesn't work that way, he has to make his OWN decision about his activity level.

Like I said in the other thread, if you're going through rescue that is a VERY good thing - as they will assess the activity needs and size of the dog. If size is a concern, it may behoove you to rescue an older dog (1 year or older) as they won't grow much past that point. A lot of people think they want this "intelligent, active, easily trained" breed, but don't realize the magnitude of what they're getting into. I don't want that to happen to you.

Unless your mind is saying, YES! I want a BC because I run five miles a day and need a partner... or YES! I already have a plan for my dog's exercise and mental stimulation needs - I will do this and this and this EVERY DAY... or YES! I am prepared to take obedience classes, and do flyball or agility with my dog... or whatever it takes to keep my dog satisfied and well cared for, you may want to keep researching.

I would suggest that if you're considering a BC or a BC Mix you should spend even MORE time getting to know the breed. I accidently fell into owning one. Her first year of life was MY WORST year ever. I thought I knew what I was getting into... I have never been so wrong.

On the upside, I now LOVE Border Collies! It was if you can't beat em, joinem for me. []

I don't say any of this with the intent of being harsh, but moreso because I care about you and the dog that you will adopt.

Well, I became a LOT more active after I adopted Bear!  I was spending 2 hours a day walking him, that's been cut down to one hour since then.  And he was VERY destructive when I first got him even ate through part of the wall!  But since I started doing the five minute rule, got him rawhide bones to gnaw on, and started spending more time training and exercising him, well, now I can leave him for 8 - 10 hours a day and when I return, nothing has been chewed up.  He hasn't destroyed anything in monthes!  He doesn't even get rawhide anymore, just his kongs stuffed with treats.
 
It wasn't easy, and you have to be prepared to invest a whole lot of time and energy into your dog.  But you know what?  When you come home and are greeted by that quiet and happy doggie?  Well, all that work was more than worth it, wasn't it?

Oh no! no hard feeling, I like to hear people opinions. It help me decides if BC is right for me or not.. So it ok!! hehe.
Thanks!

Well, I became a LOT more active after I adopted Bear!

I certainly became a LOT more active after getting Bree myself. I took good care of Ginger, but I didn't really DO anything with her. When I realized that Bree needed far more than what I was giving her I had a choice: step up to the plate, or not. I decided to step up.

I think its a difference in semantics - there are people who become more active in response to a dog's needs, and then there are people who think HAVING such and such dog will give them more motivation - and often that's just not the case. A lot of times I think that's just a thin justification, unfortunately (not saying that's the case here, but I see it a lot).

Oh, and btw faol, I think Bear is just TOTALLY adorable!

Yes, there is nothing better in the world than coming home to wagging tail dog!
But, the dog can be a different breed,  All dogs love it when you come home.
 
My concerns are you don't have a fenced yard in a single family house.  Are your 9 other neighbors going to be happy with a running dog who poops in the space?  I doubt it. 
 
I got a shelter dog -  golden/gordon setter with the mindset that he was going to be my walking partner.  The reality is it too hot to walk him in the summer with his long hair except at sunrise or sunset.  I am Too lazy to take him every day for a short walk. I refuse to get up at dawn to accomplish his walk becuase I like my sleep. (My bulldog and I sleep very happily away)   I ENJOY plopping on the couch after work and DONT want to go for a walk every day.
 
What saves us is that I have a 1/2 arcre fenced in yard. I can just open the door and he goes and gets his exercise w/ or w/o me. Once a month for 3 straight days, he gets to run free in the county.   Sometimes I throw a ball for him, sometimes I take him for a walk.  You, on the otherhand, becuase you have no fence, will HAVE to take him twice / 3 a day to pee. 
 
A border collie is HIGH energy and I simply don't think it would be fair to either you or the dog.
 
Plus, you are still in school.  What happens when you get a boyfirend or get married?  Will the dog suffer because you have no time for him?  You cant' expect your invalid father to exercise a BC from the porch. 
 
I think you should consider some less active dogs for your house situation.
 
Don't mean to be rude, but I have been there (am there) 

The town house yard doesn't have fence, and my neighbors have dogs that lives indoor, but goes out for runnign around or potty time. So I beleive they do not mind. (I think there at least 3-5 dogs around my area)
Hmm, I'm usually not an outgoing person, so most of the time I am at home. But thanks for the wake up call, I know my dad wouldn't help much. but I will take your comments into consideration.
I need to do some more research!
No hard feeling!! I understand, got me thinking for awhile.
Thanks!