A combining of brainpower , dish , and an incredible amount of centre make the Border Collie a rattling companion and working dog-iron . These are gamey - Energy Department bounder , so you need to carefully consider their needs before deciding on a Border Collie . If you could make the investment , however , these dog are among the most piquant and intelligent PET you will ever have .
Origin and History
Ancestors of the Border Collie have been around since humans start out using dogs to guard and herd sheep . This strain was develop along the borderlands between England and Scotland from landrace collie , give Border Collies their simple , no - frills name .
Because Border Collies demand to earn their keep , these dog were selectively bred to become one of the finest , if not the straight-out best , herding strain of all time . They are unbelievably consecrate to their flock and will go to nearly any lengths to protect them .
Originally , theAmerican Kennel Clubrecognized the Border Collie in the Miscellaneous Class in 1955 . The Border Collie take in full acknowledgement in October 1995 .
Breed Characteristics
It lease a dedicated owner to provide a Border Collie with the variety of living that balances their born talents and inherent aptitude with life as a family pet . When the proportion is find , these wiener can be astonishing eye tooth fellow traveler .
General Appearance
Border Collies are highly energetic yet well - balanced dogs that should carry respectable muscle smell without excess fat . The breed is observe for their nimbleness , a necessity for crowd sheep , so being in top condition is a must .
This is a medium - sized breed and mortal should be more or less longer than they are tall . Male stand up 19 to 22 inches at the shoulder , and females abide 18 to 21 inches at the shoulder joint . The breed has a weather condition - resistant bivalent pelage that may be either scratchy or still in mixed bag . All coat colors and marking are permissible .
Temperament
Intelligent , intense , energetic , and fun are all words used to depict the Border Collie ’s personality . These dog are generally up for any body process you have in mind , but they are also quite capable of spending time lying softly at your feet .
Perhaps the most notable feature film of these remarkable fauna is their oculus . Border Collies do n’t miss a thing going on around them and every move is mark with intense scrutiny . This get the patented Border Collie stare , pass when they focalize their full attention on any object or task at hand . While observing them in action , you see their mind ’s roulette wheel turn as they work information and decide whether any action is call for .
Training
The Border Collie was multiply as a cultivate dog , thus producing a groovy ability to reason . This same quality well bring the strain to training in a miscellany of other orbit . innate herders , Border Collies are at their best when allowed to live and work in a bucolic stage setting . Herding trialsprovide an first-class outlet for their natural instincts .
Today , these dogs are perhaps better know for their excellence in dog sports such asagility , flyball , andobedience . Wherever contest are held , chances are a Border Collie will enjoy top laurels at the last of the day .
Their incisive tidings also makes Border Collies good candidate forservice companionsfor the disabled , and they are increasingly civilize as hearing help dogs and therapy dogs .
Exercise Requirements
borderline collie are exceptionally gamy - muscularity dog , which you must take into bill before bringing one house . To keep them happy and healthy , this strain command a lot of exercise and activities . At the very least , you must be able to ply a long , fast walk every day ( preferably two ) .
Border collie are known for chasing vehicle and wheel , so you ’ll need to take the air on a trine . To work off some of the energy and give them a task , you may meet ball or Frisbee in a safe , fenced - in area . They thrive when participating in most canine sports or on farm with herd jobs .
The breed ’s in high spirits zip level and demand for exercise make them unsuitable for apartment living . It ’s idealistic for them to be in a home with a bombastic , fenced curtilage or a farm or ranch with elbow room to move around .
Health
Nearly all strain have a few health concerns to grapple with , and the Border Collie is no exception . However , conscientious breeders are work to remove dissemble animals from their breeding programs . Common conditions that affect the breed ’s wellness include :
Lifespan
phallus of this breed typically go to be 12 to 15 yr onetime . Some Border Collies may survive this ambit , however . Dogs who are well care and furnish with rich exercise will leave alone glad , levelheaded life sentence .
Grooming
Border Collies have either approximate or smooth coats , and both types are resilient and double - layered . The rough coat is feathered and of medium - distance , while the fluid pelage is comparatively uncouth and short . Because they have a two-fold coating , Border Collies typically fluff their coat double a year , though they may shed regularly throughout the year .
If your Border Collie has a unsmooth coat , plan to brush it out every span of day . The smooth coating sort needs to be brush at least once or twice a workweek with a flag brush to keep their coating in top shape . Take care to remove any tangles or mat as you go . Most Border Collies only need a bath every two months , or as needed . If you bathe your pawl too frequently , you may remove innate oils from their coating and hide , potentially go to various tegument conditions . Typically , you do not need to trim down your Border Collie ’s coat frequently , if at all .
Trim your Border Collie ’s nail regularly . Most appendage of the breed wear their nail down with out-of-door activity , so a trim every other week should suffice . If you are not comfortabletrimming your frump ’s nail , take them to a groomer to have this done .
Famous Members of the Breed
Chaser , a worldly concern - renowned Border Collie , has been surrounded by celebrity as the world ’s smartest dog .
Dr. John Pilley , a psychological science prof atWofford Collegein South Carolina , receive a Border Collie puppy as a endowment from his married woman in 2004 . Chaser became the puppy ’s name , and Dr. Pilley , who had just developed an pursuit in animal tidings , was eager to see how smart his novel puppy was . He began with teaching her words like " gentle clump " and progressed with time . By the time she was 5 months old , she already knew 40 word .
Dr. Pilleyworked with chaserfor hours , endeavor to teach her the name of various soft toys . He ’d hide a toy dog and secern her to find it once he thought she fuck its name , and she ’d pick it out even if it was mixed up with other toys .
Chaser was found to sleep together more than 1,000 words . Chaser never stopped acquire , and could have learned more names , if it were n’t for her owner ’s exit .
Purchasing or Adopting a Border Collie
If you ’re looking for a Border Collie pup , a good place to pop is theBorder Collie Society of America . They have a breeder directory available as well as helpful tip on how to find responsible for breeder with quality pups . TheAKC Marketplacealso has a stock breeder search . gestate to pay around $ 800 to $ 1,500 , although higher - end hound from champion lines can be as much as $ 3,500 .
Rescue Organizations
If you are n’t sic on an grownup or a puppy , you may look for Border Collies and mixes onPetFinderorSave - a - Rescue . you may also look for breed - specific deliverance organisation :
Is This the Breed for You?
Border Collies are magnificent beast , but there are a few points to weigh if you ’re thinking of charter one on . The extremely healthy nature of these dogs needs to be channel to keep them from getting into mischief , which will occur without enough guidance from you . Collies also need a good deal of drill to burn off spare vigor . So , unless you go an participating lifestyle yourself , you might not be capable to provide the sort of activity these weenie necessitate to stay in top condition .
