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Border Collie Dogs

A very healthy and active young adult border collie A very intelligent brown and white young adult border collie A close up of a border collie's characteristic sharp ears A health maturing border collie puppy A young adult border collie lying neatly A close up of a border collie's beautiful long nose and soft, brown coat A close up of a black and white border collie's beutiful long nose and attentive ears A trained border collie in the perfect environment for herding An adult border collie showing off it's nimble physique An adult border collie teaching a puppy how to play An intelligent border collie lying neatly, waiting for some commands Four border collies, each with different coloured coats

History


Of all the herding animals, the Border Collie is possibly the master. It can herd sheep in an uncannily efficient manner, as if perfected by evolution over millions of years rather than selectively bred for this purpose over a matter of a few centuries. The breed was standardised by 1906, based on it's working ability rather than it's appearance. It was simply classed as a Sheep dog. The name Border Collie was adopted by 1915, based on it's origin around the Scottish/English borders.

Behaviour


Often judged to be the most intelligent of all dog breeds, the Border Collie needs constant mental stimulation. Without it, the dog will become restless and/or destructive, or will become obsessively attached to a toy or other object. They are bred to herd and that is what they do, be it sheep, other dogs, or small children!

Border Collies tend not to mix well with other animals in the home, as their herding instincts always take over. They have loads of energy and a high desire to work, and this needs to be satisfied through lots of exercise and play. Many owners enter them in agility competitions, frisbee catching or Fly ball, as they excel at pretty much everything. The dogs love exercise of all kinds, and thrive when working. You can't just allow a Border Collie access to your garden and expect it to be happy. It needs to work. A lack of physical and mental stimulation will result in destructive behavior. Their overactive brains never switch off, and if nothing is happening they will often stand and stare at you, waiting for you do to something... anything!

These dogs make a loyal, dependable companions, and will do anything for you. They require an owner who has lots of time to dedicate to long walks and attention. Border Collies shed quite a lot of their smooth and rough hair and need regular grooming.

Temperament


Border Collies are highly intelligent and energetic. They will only be happy if given lots of mental and physical stimulation - if there is nothing to do they will become stressed, neurotic, destructive, obsessive, or combinations of these.

They tend to form tight bonds with their handlers, and can be reserved towards other dogs and people. They do well in obedience and agility contests, being eager to please and very quick learners. Needless to say, they make fantastic sheep dogs.

Health Problems


Border Collies are prone to canine hip dysplasia (CHD), elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, and Collie eye anomaly (an inherited condition which in severe cases can cause blindness).

Breed Details


  • Status: Common
  • Life Expectancy: 10 - 17 years
  • Weight: 26 - 44 lb
  • Height: Males 20 - 23" Females 18 - 21"
  • Rare: No
  • Coat: Medium
  • Grooming Requirements: More than once per week
  • Town or Country: Country
  • Minimum Home Size: Small House
  • Minimum Garden Size: Large Garden
  • Breed Type: Herding
  • Size: Medium
  • Energy Level: High
  • Exercise Required: Over 2 hours

Border Collie Pictures

A border collie dog - throw me the frizby.
A dog running across a field
Red and tan tri colour collie.. Kobi
Ienkö border collie hip displasia 5 years old my man
2 black and whites and a red and white border collie
Our lovely Star x
Star posing for the camera
Star on the beach in Cornwall
Beautiful Star
Star the border collie waiting for his toy

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