BORDER COLLIE
Breed information
Intelligent, athletic, highly trainable
The Border Collies is a beautiful, medium sized breed that is prized for their keen intelligence and herding abilities. They are fast, high energy dogs that are often associated with farms and agility competitions. They require adequate physical and mental stimulation and are not for those who lead a laid-back lifestyle or first-time dog owners.
That being said, a Border Collies can be a wonderful companion and family pet for active individuals who can provide them with adequate attention and training. They are lovable, devoted and aim to please.
The Border’s famous “herding eye", an intense gaze, is a breed hallmark. On the move, Borders are among the canine kingdom’s most agile, balanced, and durable.
Temperament
Affectionate, Smart, Energetic
The border collie is intelligent, eager, energetic, and alert. She is an intense worker, affectionate towards family and friends and slightly reserved towards strangers. She can become destructive and neurotic if left to her own devices or plagued with boredom. She does not like to be idle for long periods of time.
Border Collies require considerably more daily physical exercise and mental stimulation than many other breeds. The Border Collie is widely considered to be the most intelligent dog breed. The Border Collie ranks 1st in Stanley Coren's list of the top 10 brightest dog breeds in The Intelligence of Dogs. Although the primary role of the Border Collie is to herd livestock, the breed is becoming increasingly popular as a companion animal.
Activities
Work, train, play
Border Collies are one of the most popular breeds for dog agility competitions. They also excel at competitive obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and USBCHA Sheepdog trials and herding events.
A Border Collies are a quick learner and loves hard work. They excels at obedience and their intelligence, high energy and stamina make them ideal for agility, a sport at which they is a well recognized champion. With this breed training is an absolute must.
Borders have a perfect outlet in agility training. Having a job to perform, like agility—or herding or obedience work—is key to Border happiness.
Compatibility with pets and children
Strong leadership required
Though she can get along fine with other dogs and children, Border Collie will require an owner with strong leadership. Kids need to be made aware of the dog’s herding instinct and know how to properly respond to it. Many children have been bitten and traumatized by a pet Border Collie who was only acting on its instinct to herd.
Grooming
Easy
Border Collies are relatively easy to take care of and are average shedders.
A coat brushing every few days, monthly nail clippings, bi-weekly ear cleanings and a bath only when necessary are all they require.
Energy level
Uttermost
This pooch needs to be rigorously exercised. Aside from having a long, brisk daily walk, they need playtime and to participate in activities that release both mental and physical energy. Playing fetch with a ball or Frisbee can help. These canines do best in a yard where they can run free. Apartment life is not suitable, and they do best with active individuals.
In this role, due to their working heritage, Border Collies are very demanding, playful, and energetic. They thrive best in households that can provide them with plenty of play and exercise, either with humans or other dogs. Border Collies need mental stimulation and exercise due to their demanding personalities. Many Border Collies develop problematic behaviors in households that are not able to provide for their needs. They are infamous for chewing holes in walls and furniture, destructive scraping, hole digging, etc. when their owners are not providing adequate stimulation.
Border Collies may exhibit a strong desire to herd, a trait they may show with small children, cats, and other dogs. The breed's herding trait has been deliberately encouraged by selective breeding for many generations. However, being eminently trainable, they can live happily with other pets if given proper socialization training.
The American Border Collie Association (ABCA) recommends that potential owners, before taking on the breed as a household pet, should be sure they can provide regular exercise commensurate with the collie's high energy and prodigious stamina. A working collie may run many miles a day, using its experience, personality, and intelligence to control challenging livestock. These dogs will become distressed and frustrated if left in isolation, ignored, or inactive. Like many working breeds, Border Collies can be motion-sensitive and may chase moving vehicles and bicycles, but this behavior can be modified by training. Some of the more difficult behaviors require patience, as they are developmental and may disappear as the dog matures.