The Border Collie is a medium-sized herding dog that originated in the British Isles where he was primarily used to herd sheep and other livestock. He is known by a number of different names including the Border Collie, English Sheepdog, Welsh Sheepdog and the Scottish Sheepdog. During the 1800s, there were a variety of sheep-herding dogs in Great Britain. Each variety had his own herding style and characteristics. Their names typically reflected the regions where they were found working. As such, the dogs were dubbed Highland Collies, Scotch Collies, Welsh Sheepdogs, Northern Sheepdogs and Border Collies. Border Collies received their name because they could be found working on the Anglo-Scottish Border. While the different varieties of collies and sheepdogs were often interbred and the names were often confused, Border Collie enthusiasts worked hard to stabilize the breed. In 1908, the United Kingdom wrote a standard for Border Collies to help distinguish him from other sheep-herding breeds.
The Border Collie is medium-sized and is a very agile and fast dog breed. It’s eager to work and is built for stamina and endurance. Their smooth undercoat is short all over their body. Their over coat is medium to long and wavy or straight. It tends to shed and needs to be brushed regularly. The average size for a full grown Border Collie is 27 to 45 pounds, with males being bigger than females. This dog has a thick, double coat that is medium in length. While the most common color for Border Collies is black and white, they can also come in such colors as tri-colored, red or blue merle, red and white, black, yellow and white, and yellow. The eyes of the Border Collie can be brown, blue or a combination of the two. Their small ears are triangular and can be fully erect, partially erect or flop forward. Some dogs may even have one erect ear and one floppy ear. The tail is long, the head is wedge-shaped, and the nose can be black or brown.
Personality
The border collie is always looking to keep itself busy. It always needs a task and has very high energy. It’s among the most intelligent dogs and needs mental stimulation. It is an obedient dog but can be destructive and mischievous if not given proper mental or physical exercise. It’s devoted to its master but not necessarily the most kid-friendly of dogs. It is mostly indifferent towards other animals and can be reserved or protective towards strangers. Border Collies crave work, and as such, they need a lot of exercise. A bored Border Collie can quickly become a destructive Border Collie. This is a highly intelligent dog that learns quickly and excels in many different arenas including herding, tracking, agility, obedience and flyball, among others. The Border Collie is also an excellent family pet; however, it may be a bit too rambunctious for toddlers. It also gets along very well with other household pets, but it may take to “herding” them on occasion. While this is not an aggressive breed, it is suspicious of strangers and will alert you if there are any around your home.
Breed Characteristics
| Type: | Pure |
| Family: | Herders |
| Function: | Working |
| Origin: | Europe |
| Preferred Climate: | Any Climate |
| Group: | Herding |
| Life Span: | 12-15 Years |
| Nicknames: | English Sheepdog, Welsh Sheepdog, Scottish Sheepdog |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
Border Collie Build Information
The Border Collie is medium-sized and is a very agile and fast dog breed. He is eager to work and is built for stamina and endurance. Their smooth undercoat is short all over their body. Their over coat is medium to long and wavy or straight. He tends to shed and needs to be brushed regularly. The average size for a full grown Border Collie is 27 to 45 pounds, with males being bigger than females. This dog has a thick, double coat that is medium in length. While the most common color for Border Collies is black and white, they can also come in such colors as tri-colored, red or blue merle, red and white, black, yellow and white, and yellow. The eyes of the Border Collie can be brown, blue or a combination of the two. Their small ears are triangular and can be fully erect, partially erect or flop forward. Some dogs may even have one erect ear and one floppy ear. The tail is long, the head is wedge-shaped, and the nose can be black or brown.
| Size: | Medium |
| Length (Male): | 19-25 in. |
| Length (Female): | 18-20 in. |
| Weight: | 26 – 40 lbs |
| Litter Size: | 5 – 10 Puppies |
| Tail Dock or Crop: | No |
Behaviour and Personality
The border collie is always looking to keep itself busy. He always needs a task and has very high energy. He is among the most intelligent dogs and needs mental stimulation. He is an obedient dog but can be destructive and mischievous if not given proper mental or physical exercise. He is devoted to his master but not necessarily the most kid-friendly of dogs. He is mostly indifferent towards other animals and can be reserved or protective towards strangers. Border Collies crave work, and as such, they need a lot of exercise. A bored Border Collie can quickly become a destructive Border Collie. This is a highly intelligent dog that learns quickly and excels in many different arenas including herding, tracking, agility, obedience and flyball, among others. The Border Collie is also an excellent family pet; however, he may be a bit too rambunctious for toddlers. He also gets along very well with other household pets, but it may take to “herding” them on occasion. While this is not an aggressive breed, he is suspicious of strangers and will alert you if there are any around your home.
| Activity Level: | Very Active |
| Affection Level: | Very Affectionate |
| Aggressiveness Level: | Moderate |
| Barking: | Noisy |
| Dominating or Submissive?: | Dominating |
| Energy Level: | Very Active |
| Good to Other Pets: | Friendly |
| Guardian Skills: | Moderate |
| Independant: | Moderate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Very Friendly |
Appearance
The Border Collie is a dog that requires minimal grooming. To keep the hair tangle-free, you will need to brush his coat about two or three times a week. However, during shedding season, you may need to brush him daily. Unless your pet becomes particularly filthy, you will only need to bathe him once or twice a month. Be sure to check your dog’s ears regularly for any wax buildup or signs of infection. If there is excessive wax in the ears, do not use a Q-tip to clean it out. Use the end of a damp, clean rag instead. If you need to clip your Border Collie’s nails, use a pliers-type nail clipper and be careful not to cut into the veins inside each nail.
| Colors: | Black, Black & White, Blue Merle, Red & White, Tri-Color, White, Yellow |
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Medium Maintenance |
| Coat Type: | Feathered |
Border Collie Common Health Conditions
Border Collies are generally hardy dogs that can live 12 to 15 years or longer, but just like many other breeds, they can be prone to certain genetic health conditions. While not all Border Collies will develop these issues, it is important for you to be aware of them if you are considering adding this breed to your home: Collie Eye Anomaly, Epilepsy, Hip Dysplasia, Various Drug Sensitivities, Deafness, Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Hypothyroidism. Are you looking for a great family dog that gets along well with children? If so, the Border Collie may be the perfect dog for you! Border Collies love playing and can make terrific companions for you or your children. However, if you do choose one of these dogs for your family, make sure that you can provide him with plenty of exercise.
Border Collie Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The dogs in the movie “Babe” were Border Collies. The dog named Bandit on “Little House on the Prairie” was a Border Collie. Border Collies are thought to be the most intelligent of all dog breeds.
| Training: | Easy |
| Hunting Companion: | No |
| Jolly for Jogging: | Yes |
| Sighting Capabilities: | No |
| Ideal for Tracking: | No |
| Retrieving Skills: | No |
| Pointing Breed: | No |
| Herding Skills: | Yes |
| Dutiful Watchdog: | Yes |
| Security Guard Capable: | Yes |
| Police Performer: | Yes |
| Wet Water rescues: | No |
| Assist Disable Owners: | No |
| Dog Sledding: | No |
| Able to Perform Dog Carting: | No |
| Agile/Zippy: | Yes |
| Fun with Lure Coursing: | No |
| Obedient: | Yes |
| Possible Schutzhund Work: | No |
| Trainable for Tricks: | Yes |
