Because of his character and temperament, a Border Collie is a special dog. He is very intelligent and no task is too crazy for him. This breed is very devoted to its owner, it is easy to train and listens well. In general a Border Collie gets along well with other animals and children. However, he can come across as intimidating because of his penetrating gaze. That is one of the reasons why the Border Collie is also used as a sheep herding dog.
He can sneak, run and hunt like no other. Because this breed is so smart, it is important that he is challenged enough mentally. If that does not happen, he will become bored and eventually learn things to himself. It is therefore important that you give him plenty of attention and undertake sufficient dog activities. Want to know more about the Border Collie? You can read it in this article.
The history: a sheepdog from northern England
Many people know the Border Collie as an obedient sheepdog. Circling around the sheep in the pasture to guide them from one place to another. The Border Collie is one of the world’s best herding dogs and is descended from Hemp, the father of the Border Collie. Hemp was born in 1894 in northern England and was very popular among farmers.
He distinguished himself from other sheepdogs by using his eyes while herding. Most dogs were noisy and barked to keep the sheep together, but Hemp remained calm and intimidated the sheep by staring. Because of his unique characteristics, many farmers wanted a puppy from this herding dog. Eventually, Hemp provided some 200 offspring.
For over a century, the dog was bred primarily for its function as a sheepdog; physical appearance was hardly considered. So originally the Border Collie was really seen as a working dog. Only in 1976 the Border Collie was officially recognized as a breed by the Kennel Club in the UK. After that it took some time before the AKC recognized the Border Collie as a show dog, this happened in 1995.
The character: an intelligent breed with a lot of energy
The Border Collie has a unique character. He is extremely intelligent, obedient and tireless. He loves to be busy for his owner and therefore finds it very enjoyable to perform tasks. This is also one of the reasons why Border Collies are so good at herding sheep and agility training. Towards their owners and acquaintances this breed is very friendly and protective, but towards strangers the Border Collie is a bit more reserved.
Furthermore, this breed can be seen as a reliable and sociable four-legged friend. He can cope well with children, but the preference is for slightly older children. They can be a good buddy for the Border Collie if they want to run and play with him a lot. This breed has a lot of energy, so it is important that he gets enough exercise and is challenged mentally. With a sporty owner who loves to play the Border Collie will be very happy. After a busy day this breed also loves to relax and cuddle.
A Border Collie is not a suitable dog to keep in an apartment. This dog loves a lot of exercise and hunting, so it is important that he can easily go into a garden to expend his energy.
The appearance: an athletic dog with an alert look
Characteristic of the Border Collie is its athletic body. The body of this breed is built in such a way that it can move agilely. They can easily change speed and direction, which comes in handy when herding sheep. Also, the Border Collie is broad and muscular, which gives him a powerful appearance. This breed is medium sized and has a profile that slopes gracefully to the rear. The tail is carried low. On average, they weigh about 12 to 20 pounds and live to be 10 to 17 years old.
The Border Collie has a weather-resistant, double coat that comes in two different types:
- Rough and medium to long hairs with a slightly wavy structure
- Smooth, short hairs all over the body
This coat can come in all possible colors, color combinations or markings. To most people it is known in the color combination of black and white.
Furthermore, this breed can have a rather intimidating look in its eyes. This look he uses to chase other animals. His expression is alert, eager and full of interest. The Border Collie’s gaze shows exactly what his character is like.
The care of the Border Collie
The coat of the Border Collie needs quite a bit of grooming. He moults every season and loves to romp. Therefore it is important that he is brushed 2 to 3 times a week. This may vary from dog to dog, it could be that your Border Collie needs to be brushed more often. In any case, make sure that no dirt gets stuck in the coat and that no tangles develop. Also, as with any other dog breed, the nails should be clipped regularly.
Regarding nutrition, it is important that a Border Collie gets enough high quality nutrients. Because this breed moves a lot and has powerful muscles, it prefers food with lots of protein. Therefore, choose a high quality dog food or make your own meals for your dog. If you want to prepare your own meals, consult your vet about the best food to serve your Border Collie. Also make sure that you do not overfeed your dog, as some dogs are prone to obesity. Being overweight can cause health problems in your dog, and of course you want to prevent that.
Besides physical care, a Border Collie also needs mental care. Because of his intelligence, it is important that you keep challenging him mentally. A dog that is not mentally challenged enough can develop behavioral problems. You can mentally train your dog for example by learning new tricks and commands. You can also hide toys or food and ask your dog to look for it. In addition, Border Collies find agility training very fun and challenging.
Are there any diseases that are common to this breed?
In general the Border Collie does not have many diseases, it is a strong and healthy breed. Despite the fact that this breed is strong, breeders are obliged to always test a Border Collie for hip dysplasia and eye abnormalities. In addition, the main hereditary diseases to watch out for in this breed are:
- Idiopathic epilepsy
- MDR1 gene mutation
In idiopathic epilepsy, the entire body can cramp, causing the dog to spontaneously fall over and become unconscious. Only localized epilepsy can also occur. You can localize epilepsy in a dog and recognize it by strange behavior such as biting at something that is not there, staring without being able to make contact with the dog and jerking. During an epileptic seizure a dog often drools and passes urine and feces.
With MDR1 gene mutation, a certain protein is missing, causing drugs to accumulate in the brain. Both dewormers, anesthetics and painkillers can be a danger for the dog in this case. An abnormality in this gene can be detected with a genetic test.
Proper care is essential to prevent health problems in your dog, this applies to any breed. In addition, it is always wise to take your Border Collie to the vet if he shows strange behavior or if something is physically wrong.
Did you know?
A Border Collie is so intelligent that he will teach himself things when he is bored. They are very trainable, but they also teach themselves all kinds of behaviors if you don’t start training on time, or if you don’t provide enough mental challenge. These are probably not the habits you as an owner are looking for. So start training your Border Collie from an early age and always give him enough attention and learning opportunities.
Dog training: start early with teaching desired behavior
Because a Border Collie is smart, it is important to start dog training early. Especially obedience training is crucial to give this breed a happy life. Through these training sessions the Border Collie is mentally stimulated, which is very good for his health. In addition, these dogs can also get a lot of enjoyment out of other activities, such as herding sheep and agility. When you get a Border Collie it is important that you are willing to invest a lot of time in training your dog.
As with any other breed, the socialization period for the Border Collie is essential. In the first three months of its life a dog goes through a socialization period. In this period your pup develops its personality and learns behavior. A pup gets used to human touch and the environment around it during this period.
By taking your pup to different places, it learns to deal with, for example, other dogs, other people and different situations than at home. How you handle this socialization period will influence how your dog will develop mentally. Even the first weeks at the breeder’s have an influence on your dog’s personality. So always make sure you buy your dog from a reputable breeder who has the best intentions for the dogs.
What does a Border Collie cost?
A Border Collie costs between $950 and $1450. The price may differ per breeder. If you find a Border Collie for a much lower price than this, you should ask yourself if you are dealing with a registered breeder. There are many breeders active who do not have the best intentions for the animals. So do some research beforehand to find out which breeders are reliable and which are not.
Besides the purchase costs you must also take into account maintenance costs. These include costs for food, a basket, a leash, toys, deworming, vaccinations and the vet of course.
How much exercise does this breed need?
The Border Collie needs more exercise than the average dog. It is a working dog that lives for exercise. He is tireless and a real hunter. So it is important that you give your Take your Border Collie out for a long walk every day. A walk around the block or a quick walk in the garden is absolutely not enough. Border Collies also like to go on adventures. Are you an active person and do you like to go out? Then you are a suitable owner for this breed. A Border Collie loves to go everywhere with you.
Recognition in the United States.
The Border Collie joined the AKC Herding Group in 1995, and is the AKC’s 139th breed. The Border Collie Society of America has been the official AKC Parent Club for the Border Collie since August 1996.
What do you think of the Border Collie?
The Border Collie is an intelligent, energetic and obedient breed that fits very well in an active family. It is a loyal and friendly dog that is extremely devoted to his owner. He is eager to learn and likes to go on adventures. He is also very passionate about herding sheep, so he would be a great asset on a farm.
Do you have a Border Collie at home? Or are you planning to buy one? We are very curious about your experiences with this breed. Maybe you have tips for other readers? If so, please leave a comment below this article!
