Border Collie

Border Collies are well known workaholics. They excel at many tasks because they are so incredibly keen to learn. Whether it's livestock herding, obedience training, or agility competitions, the Border Collie has the intelligence and drive to become a master. History The Border Collie is so named because it originated in the "border"� lands between Scotland, England, and Wales. These collies were first used as shepherds, and they evolved from other herding dogs, such as the Cumberland Sheepdog. The history of this breed is well documented. In fact, record keepers have narrowed down the breed's origin to one dog named Old Hemp. This tri-colored collie sired several litters of puppies before he died in 1901. The offspring had similar temperaments and working styles to Old Hemp, as did their offspring. Thus, the Border Collie was born. The breed hasn't changed much over the past 100 years. Border Collies are recognized by most Kennel Clubs across the globe, as the breed has spread far and wide. Appearance Border Collies are medium-sized dogs. Males measure between 19 and 22 inches tall at the withers; females measure between 18 and 21 inches tall. Torso length is a little bit bigger than the height. Bones are of a medium thickness, the body is well muscled, and the dog has an overall athletic appearance. Border Collies have an intelligent an eager expression most of the time, except when they are concentrating on a task. The eyes are oval and can be any shade of brown, though some breeding lines have blue eyes. The ears are usually carried semi-erect or erect. A Border Collie's fur can come in one of two varieties. Both are dense, double coats with a soft undercoat. The outer coat can be either straight or wavy and is usually a medium length. The type of texture is what sets the two varieties apart; fur can be either rough or smooth. Smooth coats usually have shorter hair. Coats come in a variety of colors including solids, bi-color, and tri-colors. Shades include merle, sable, white, tan, and black. Temperament Border Collies are energetic, intense, and easily trainable. These are the most distinguishing features of this breed. This dog can be independent yet obedient at the same time; it can work out of sight of its master and still follow orders. Due to its intelligence, it can think on the go and reason problems out. This means that the Border Collie can easily become bored. A bored dog will become destructive and disruptive in an attempt to entertain itself. Border Collies will herd their people like they herd livestock because they like keeping everyone together. Though they are alright around all children, supervision should be given with young kids because the Border Collie will try to herd them into order, even if it means a light snap or harsh bark to discipline a toddler. Border Collies are also know to stare livestock into submission using a technique called "the eye,"� so it is not unusual to see them do this to their humans. This breed is loyal, keen, and responsive to commands. Though reserved around strangers, it is also very affectionate to its family. A Border Collie is never dull or fearful. Health Issues The average lifespan of a Border Collie is around 12 years, though some have been known to live up to 17 years. This is normal for a purebred dog of this size. The most common causes of death are cancer, old age, and cerebral vascular problems, such as stroke. Other health problems include epilepsy, which causes seizures, hip dysplasia, which causes hip pain, and Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), which can cause some damage to the eyes. Border Collies are also susceptible to elbow dysplasia and hypothyroidism, but these are less common. When it comes to breeding, there can be some problems. If puppies inherit the merle gene the one responsible for the semi-spotted coat color from both parents, they will most likely be born with eye and ear problems. Thankfully, this issue can be prevented through good breeding practices. Pet Care It is absolutely imperative that Border Collie owners provide a range of tasks and activities to occupy this dog. If a Border Collie becomes bored, he will be extremely unhappy. These dogs need regular exercise, a variety of toys to play with, and space to run around. They also require obedience training. Because they love to learn, they will excel during training. Teaching them new tricks all of the time will help keep their mind sharp. Grooming is another necessity. They should be brushed regularly, especially when shedding. This will help keep unwanted hair from spreading around the house. What Owners Have to Say Owners praise this dog for its intelligence and dedication to work. They are also respected as great family dogs when in a home that can care for its needs. Is this the right dog for you? If you are looking for an athletic, medium-sized dog, the Border Collie may be a good choice for you. These dogs work well with families, though they will try to herd their people to keep everyone together. Due to their intelligence, they are very versatile. In fact, they can learn to do most anything. They will play fetch and other games for hours on end to burn up their energy. These traits make them an excellent family dog, as long as the family members regularly interact with the pet. However, these same traits can be problematic. A bored Border Collie is one of the most destructive pets around. They will find "creative"� outlets to let loose their pent-up energy, and this means bad things for your home. The best thing to do is to keep this dog continually occupied with different toys and games. Agility training, sheep herding, and obedience competitions are other outlets. As long as this athletic dog has something to do, he is well behaved. However, left to his own devices, he can be a disaster waiting to happen. Because of their instincts to herd, these dogs may chase after moving objects, though they can be controlled. A properly socialized Border Collie will behave well with company, however a poorly socialized one will be shy and have separation anxiety when away from its owners for too long. All of these points are important things to consider prior to purchasing a Border Collie.

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