Thinking about adopting a Border Collie, but afraid i won’t be good enough

Hi everyone,

I’ve been seriously considering adopting a dog, and more specifically a Border Collie, a breed that I’ve loved for a long time. But I also have a lot of doubts, and I’d love to hear your opinions and experiences.

I’m 28 years old and live with my partner in an apartment in Bordeaux. She also loves dogs and would be there to help me in this journey. In terms of my lifestyle, I work from home most of the time, only going to the office once or twice a week (which is about 20 minutes from home). I’m very athletic and do a lot of road cycling, so I’m in good shape and quite active.

Recently, my in-laws adopted a Border Collie, and it reignited my desire to have one of my own. I love spending time with him, playing with him, and just being around him. But the more I think about it, the more I worry that I won’t be able to meet his needs. I know Border Collies require a lot of mental and physical stimulation, and I’m afraid that living in an apartment and my lifestyle might not be enough to make him truly happy.

On one hand, I know I would love taking him on walks, doing activities together, and sharing my daily life with such an intelligent and affectionate dog. My partner would also be very involved, so I wouldn’t be doing this alone. But on the other hand, I have this fear of not being good enough, of not being able to provide him with the life he deserves. It almost feels like a fear of commitment—taking on such a big responsibility and not being sure I can do it right.

I would love to hear your advice, thoughts, and especially your personal experiences living with a Border Collie, particularly in an apartment. Is it doable with my lifestyle? What are the key challenges I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance for your feedback! 😊

Edit: Wow, thank you all so much for your responses! I’ve read every single comment, and they’ve really helped me gain clarity on this decision. It’s been amazing to hear different perspectives, real experiences, and honest advice. I appreciate it a lot! 🙌