border collie

Border Collie Facts

Border collies as pets:

general health

energy level

Detachability

trainability

intelligence

chewing tendency

size

family and kid friendly

happy/barking

High

separation anxiety

High

preferred temperature

average climate

exercise needs

High

be friendly with other dogs

ease

Thoroughbred Cost of Ownership

$700

pack of dogs

grazing

male weight

30-45 lbs

female weight

27-42 lbs

In 2020, it was the 35th most popular dog breed in the US and the 12th most popular dog breed in the UK. The sporting dog needs to keep busy by having work and exercise to meet its high energy demands, so it needs an owner who is as active and engaged as the dog itself and who can work closely and intensely.

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Its high intelligence and obedience make it an excellent detection dog for police, customs, and other government agencies, but the breed is also well suited for competitive dog sports, bird hunting, guide dog work, and search and rescue. Learn more about the smartest dog breeds here.

It was originally developed in the Anglo-Scottish border counties of Northumberland as a hunting dog and as a farm working dog for herding sheep and other livestock. Affectionate, obedient, intelligent, with good health, long life and quick speed, the Border Collie makes an excellent family pet.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Border Collie

history and origin

At the height of the Roman Empire, countless rulers brainstormed ways to take over and rule Britain. However, for various reasons – rebellions in other parts of the empire or changes in the political situation – these plans were put on hold. It was not until AD 43 that Emperor Claudius completed his mission to conquer Britain.

Border Collie Health and Recreation

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The Roman occupation of Britain had a lasting impact on British culture, including dog keeping. Roman soldiers arrived with their own livestock, so large, strong shepherd dogs were also brought in. These canids stayed in Britain for more than three centuries.

With the fall of the Roman Empire, Scandinavian invaders invaded Britain, bringing with them smaller, faster spitz-type shepherd dogs. These dogs were crossed with older Roman breeds to create agile herders who could keep livestock in the hills and rocky regions of Scotland and Wales. This is the beginning of the Border Collie breed.

Border Collies are widely regarded as the most skilled herders in the world. Their efficient running, low crawl and bursts of intense energy when needed make them ideal canine companions for shepherds. When imagining the perfect dog, it's definitely the Border Collie.

The Border Collie is a highly intelligent and agile breed that has been used in sheepdog trials in the British Isles for over a century. It was officially recognized in the Herding Group by the American Kennel Club in 1995. The breed played a famous role in the movie "Bebe" and is known for its competitiveness.

size and weight

The Border Collie is a medium to large breed of dog with a long and rough coat or a short and smooth coat. The average height for men is 24-27 inches and the average height for women is 22-26 inches. Adult males weigh 30-45 lbs and adult females 27-42 lbs. Border Collie puppies weigh 4-8 pounds at 8 weeks, females at 24 months, and males at 36 months.

common health problems

Purebred Border Collies have some common health problems, but most of the time, they are easy to treat or manage. The most common are musculoskeletal disorders, including hip dysplasia and osteochondritis degeneration (OCD), which result from accelerated growth in puppies due to age or too much activity. Idiopathic epilepsy, patent ductus arteriosus and hypothyroidism are hereditary conditions unique to the breed, while dental problems, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), collie eye anomaly (CEA) and deafness are common. In summary, the most common health concerns for Border Collies are:

• dental problems
• Sheepdog Eye Abnormalities
• progressive retinal atrophy
• deaf

temperament

The Border Collie has a very lively personality. Their temperament is curious and easygoing, with mischievous, dominant, sensitive and hyperactive characteristics. Their clever behavior can be a lot of fun. As adults, they are wary of strangers.

However, that doesn't mean they're mistrustful like puppies. They socialize quickly, and they enjoy kindness and praise during training. A common characteristic of Border Collies is that they are easy to train and deliver consistent and clear messages, since they were bred to hunt geese and other birds. Because of this, they also have a "gentle" or "soft" mouth, which means they don't bite too hard when holding objects in their jaws.

How to Care for a Border Collie

New pet owners figuring out how to care for a Border Collie, especially a puppy, have several unique factors to consider. Whether it's a genetic condition or the different care associated with its coat and medium size, Border Collies have breed-specific factors that their owners must be aware of.

best dog food

Every dog breed, especially puppies, has different health needs than other breeds, and Border Collies are no exception. Therefore, new owners should consider these needs when choosing food for their pets.

Border Collie Puppy Food: Because of their high energy, size, and genetic makeup, Border Collies can develop musculoskeletal, neurological, eye, and other problems. When considering wet or dry food for your puppy, consider premium brands that are not only higher in calcium and complex nutrients to support growth, but also contain fatty acids like DHA and ARA to support cognitive function and eye health. A dog food specially formulated for puppy growth or all life stages will provide enough protein for a Border Collie puppy, while adult dog food has too much protein and can often cause permanent damage.

Adult Border Collie Dog Food : As with puppy food considerations, pet owners should consider feeding their adult Border Collie a high-quality dog food that is rich in meat-based protein with meat as the main ingredient. Since Border Collies remain active into adulthood, we recommend an active dog food that contains at least 25% protein and 15% fat to provide all the nutrients they need, whether it's wet food, kibble, or patties. They can also eat raw food, which can be purchased as a commercial diet or prepared at home. Border collies with dental problems do best on a kibble-based diet. We've compiled a list of all the best foods for Border Collies right here.

Here are our AZ Animals Recommendations – The best dog food for Border Collies is Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult Oral Care Dental Health Dog Food, Chicken Meal and Barley Recipe.

This veterinarian-approved formula is specially formulated for dental health. Crunchy kibble crumbs remove plaque and tartar and freshen breath with interlocking fiber technology. Plus, this recipe contains a powerful combination of vitamin A and taurine to nourish the eyes and vision of dogs like border collies and help prevent eye disease.

Hill's Science Diet Oral Care Dog Food is available on Amazon and Chewy. Click on the link below.

Maintenance and Grooming

The Border Collie is one breed, but has two main types of coat, the long or medium-length coarse coat and the short, smooth coat. Both are double-layered. While short-haired dogs are easier to maintain, both coats shed equally throughout the year, especially in winter. For this reason, they need to be brushed at least 3 times a week to keep shedding to a minimum. Long-haired Border Collies require special brushes to detangle tangles. Two other lesser-known coat types are the curly coat and the bearded coat. Beard colors are various shades of gray, although brown, red and white, red and blue merle, tri-color and tickle colors are common for other coat types.

train

Border Collies are persistent in their training, refusing to stop until they have learned the task. However, unlike other hunting dog breeds, their desire to please means that Border Collies are best trained with praise and clicker training rather than electronic collars. They were originally used for hunting birds and herding sheep and other livestock. They can work quickly, relying only on the gestures and voice of their owners, and can even work independently or with other dogs.

When they spot prey or livestock, they form a wide perimeter out of sight and drive the prey to the location designated by their owner. Their intelligent, hard-working, and persistent nature makes them a common choice for search and rescue work. Although they often bark when bored, they can learn to put their energy into commanding.

exercise

Due to their strong body and high energy, the Border Collie needs a spacious location like a farm or ranch, or at least a large house with a large yard. You can help your Border Collie burn off excess energy with chew toys and by hiding toys and treats around the house or yard. Puzzles or other games give them the mental stimulation they need, while obstacle course training, catching a ball, or joining a flyball dog team builds their athletic abilities. Ideally, a Border Collie should be running for at least 20-30 minutes a day.

puppy

Border Collie puppies need a dog food specially formulated for puppies or all life stages. It has to be a premium brand that provides the highest quality nutrition. Training Border Collie puppies should begin as early as possible, using chew toys instead of chewing household items to discourage their tendency to live in groups and meet their exercise needs. Typical colors are black and white, but tri-colors, red merle, blue merle, blue, gray, sable, and tan also exist.

with children

Border collies are loyal to their families and get along well with everyone. They are good with children, although they may express their herding instincts to them when they are not staying where the dog wants them to be. For best socialization, expose children to the Border Collie when it is a puppy. Border Collies are also hesitant to strangers and should also be socialized early on to learn specific behaviors around people they don't know. Rescue Border Collies may develop behavioral problems due to poor socialization, neglect or confinement.

dogs similar to border collie

Sheepdogs and working dogs similar to the Border Collie include the Australian Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, Icelandic Sheepdog, and Finnish Lapphund.

• Shetland Sheepdog – The same high intelligence, high energy and great working ability as the Collie, but does well in the home and is smaller in size, better suited to first-time owners or those with smaller families.
• Rough Collie – The Rough Collie (Lassie being a notable example) is of similar size and intelligence to the Border Collie and is less physically demanding than long walks. They are also easier to train by inexperienced owners.
• Lurcher – A border collie crossed with a greyhound, this breed has moderate traits that make it more versatile and suitable for different types of families.

famous border collie

Border Collies are known for being affectionate, intelligent, and energetic. Show dogs, rather than working dogs, are common as family pets because they are bred for form rather than function, less behavioral variety, and a predatory instinct. Regardless, there are a number of Border Collies known for their herding abilities:

• The Old Hemp, the common ancestor of the modern Border Collie, produced its first litter of more than 200 collie males and numerous female collies. He never lost a match, and first became famous in a sheep-herding duel, using nothing but a hypnotic stare.
• TV Border Collies: Nana in Snow Dog, Fly in Babe, Raffles in Rover Dangerfield and Robber in Little House on the Prairie are just a few to appear in film and TV A small part of the border collie.

Popular Names for Border Collies

Some of the most popular names for Border Collies are:

• maverick
• bandit
• shadow
• reconnaissance

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