The ultimate herding dog, Border Collies are the Einsteins of the canine world, frequently topping the charts as the smartest dog breed.
But what makes them tick? And are Border Collies suitable for your home? Here, we’ll look more closely at this impressive breed, what makes them such good partners, and whether you would enjoy one.
Border Collies Are Remarkably Intelligent
Border Collies tend to succeed in anything they do. Whether it is obedience competitions, herding trials, agility, or flyball, these dogs are frequently found on medal podiums.
Why do they seem to win everything? Firstly, these high-energy dogs have an incredible work ethic, born and bred to work long hours in challenging conditions. Their strong desire to please their owners and willingness to take on any task make them the ideal canine partner.
Secondly, Border Collies have an impressive memory. They can remember the names and faces of hundreds of sheep, and they can quickly learn complex commands.
These Dogs Are Built for Speed and Agility
Siberian Huskies have their stamina, and Greyhounds have their speed, but the Border Collie has them all: stamina, speed, and agility. It seems that the Border Collie was created to be the perfect canine athlete. Incredibly agile and fast, Border Collies are no slouches in the stamina department, born to run long distances and herd sheep for hours on end.
From agility champions like Trick, Pink, and Fame, to the many herding dogs employed all across the world and competing in sheep trials, seeing a Border Collie in action is an impressive sight that you aren’t likely to forget.
Border Collies Come in Many Colors
Border Collies can have smooth, short coats or long, soft coats, both of which are accepted lengths by the AKC. Coats can be black with white markings, red with white, bi-colored, tri-colored, merle, or sable.
Border Collies, like Great Danes and Australian Shepherds, is a breed of dog that commonly carries the merle gene, a dominant gene that refers to the coat pattern that it causes rather than the color. The merle gene causes a mottling or speckling pattern that lightens patches of the base coat.
In addition, the merle gene can also lighten some pigmentation in a Border Collie, turning their eyes blue and their noses and paw pads pink. Some dogs are heterochromatic, which means they have one blue eye and one brown!
They are medium-sized dogs that weigh up to 45 lbs. Males stand up to 22 inches and females stand up to 21 inches at the shoulder.
Border Collies Need Regular Grooming
Border Collies need to be brushed frequently to keep their shedding to a minimum. They are moderate to high-shedding dogs that should be brushed every day or two with a bristle brush. In addition, you might need to use an undercoat rake during spring or fall to rid the undercoat of thick tufts of dead fur that your Collie sheds during the change of seasons.
They are clean dogs and will need a bath occasionally, as needed. In addition, they need their eyes and ears cleaned every week or so, and their nails clipped every three to four weeks unless they run many miles a day on rough surfaces and manage to file their nails down naturally.
Border Collies have slim, narrow muzzles which make them susceptible to dental disease. Be sure to brush your Collie’s teeth regularly with doggy toothpaste and toothbrush, in addition to providing them with a generous number of tooth-friendly dental sticks and chews.
Border Collies Are Generally Healthy Pets
Border Collies are healthy dogs that can live 10 to 17 years. However, like any dog, they are prone to genetic conditions such as Collie eye anomaly, hip dysplasia, and canine epilepsy.
Collie eye anomaly is a hereditary condition that affects the eyes of most often Collies, but all dogs can be affected. The condition is caused by a lack of pigment in the eye, which can lead to vision problems or even blindness.
Although there is no cure for collie eye anomaly, there are treatments that can help improve vision and prevent further damage to the eyes. For example, surgery can be used to create a new opening for the eye, and special eyeglasses can help to protect the eyes from damage. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, dogs with collie eye anomaly can lead happy and healthy lives.
Is a Border Collie Right for You?
With their elegant physiques and gorgeous coats, Border Collies are a popular breed, which is unfortunate, because many of them end up in shelters.
Border Collies are not for everyone. Hardworking, eager to please, and total workaholics, it takes a lot to tire them out. Any other dog would come home after an hour’s run and take a nap, but a Border Collie is likely to look at you inquisitively as if to say, “Now what?”
Not only do they need massive amounts of exercise every day to stay physically active, but they also need tons of mental stimulation to keep them occupied.
A bored Collie will exhibit many signs of hyperactivity like chewing, digging, and excessive barking, and they have loads of energy that is likely to far surpass yours. They need large spaces to romp and dash around and will not do well in apartments.
However, for the keen runner or the cattle farmer, a Border Collie that is happy and well-balanced will make an awesome companion.
