The Border Collie is often referred to as a hyperactive dog because it must always be in motion and feel useful. It is true that he has difficulty standing still, and that he is always ready to go on an adventure. Although this almost turbulent side can sometimes be a problem, the Border Collie is nevertheless a dog with a fearsome and lovable character. Loyal, intelligent and loyal, he also gets along well with children and animals. The Border Collie is an incredible family dog as long as he can meet all his needs.
The border Collie dog breed was developed to collect and control sheep in the hilly borderland between Scotland and England. They are known for their intense gaze or "eye" with which they control their herd. They are dogs with boundless energy, endurance and work leadership, which makes them a leading shepherd; the Border Collies are still used today for flocks of sheep on farms and ranches around the world.
Even if they are purebred dogs, you can find them in the care of shelters or rescue groups. Do not forget to adopt them! Do not buy if you want to bring a dog home.
A bit of history
The Border Collie as we know it today, is a relatively new breed of dog, the first standard was developed in 1892. However, border Collie dogs were known and used in breeding since the 17th century. . It certainly comes from crossings between Gordon Setter and pointer, but also Bearded Collies and Bobtails. The Border Collie originates from the border region between England and Scotland, border , in English. It is also to her that he owes his name. As for the name collie, it would have its origin in an old Celtic term meaning "useful".
Most of the Border Collies we find today come from a male called Old Hemp, which was used in the late 19th and early 20th century for the breeding of many puppies. The name Border Collie was adopted in England in 1915. The breed made a late arrival in France around the 1970s, but it quickly gained popularity.
The international dog Federation finally recognizes the Border Collie in 1977. Even today the Border Collie is used on the pasture as an excellent shepherd and shepherd dog, but has also won the hearts of the families. As a working dog, but also as a guide dog or guide dog, the Border Collie is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.
Physical Properties
Body: the body is well proportioned, with a strong neck. The chest is well lowered and the ribs are arched. The figure is sporty and harmonious. The males are slightly larger than the females.
Head: the skull is quite wide, with a well-marked stop, a short and strong snout.
Ears: the ears of the Border Collie are straight or semi-drooping, medium-sized.
Eyes: the eyes wide apart, are almond-shaped. The main color is brown,but some Border Collies have blue eyes, and even wall eyes in blackbirds.
Tail: this dog has a hanging tail, low and of medium length. It is slightly curved at the end.
Coat: the Border Collie has a short or medium length coat depending on the variety.
Color: the diversity of the coat in the Border Collie is quite large. There is only one condition: that white does not have a majority. Red, brown, black, liver, red or blue collies, etc. the combination can be two-tone or three-tone. White dogs are kept away from the LOF.
Character
Liveliness is, undoubtedly, one of the first words that can characterize the nature of the Border Collie. This dog, which is always on the move, cannot bear boredom and must train to be happy. The Border Collie is also a very intelligent and tireless dog. Energetic, he needs a lot of practice to be happy. Like a good shepherd, he has a well-developed instinct for protection and will never hesitate to put himself between his family and the danger. He barks little and is therefore not a very good watchdog, but he still knows how to give voice when needed. On the other hand, it can make a good watchdog.
Behavior with others
Together with his family, the Border Collie is a happy, faithful and cheerful dog. He will always be ready for a game session. He gets along well with the children, but be careful not to leave them unattended! With strangers, the Border Collie is initially rather suspicious before showing more affection and docility. After all, he gets along perfectly with other animals, provided he has been socialized properly!
Compatibility
Despite its friendliness and its very soft side, the Border Collie is not suitable for every master. This dog, who lives one kilometer per hour, needs a sporty and available person who is willing to train at his side as well. You will have serious behavioral problems if you adopt a Border collie without being able to meet all his needs. So the ideal master is a master who is very present or can take his dog anywhere, close to nature and addicted to thrills.
Health
The health of the Border Collie is robust and robust; its life expectancy is 13 years. It remains a rustic dog, little affected by the systematic crossings that could have led to the development of several serious problems. However, the breed is still subject to some pathologies, which it is good to know to cope with. In addition, you never hesitate to ask all the questions you want to the breeder who can answer them. Like many large and medium-sized breeds, the Border Collie can be affected by hip dysplasia. It is also not spared from eye problems or genetic problems that particularly affect merle dogs. Be sure to contact serious breeders. After all, the breed is also prone to epilepsy.
Living conditions
Living in an apartment is not really recommended for The border Collie dog, who needs a lot of space to train. It is not completely impossible, but the ideal living conditions for this dog are always a house in the country, with a large plot so that he can walk as much as he wants. In the apartment, the Border Collie needs to be stimulated several times a day during a very long walk, during which he can train as much as he wants. Having a house with a garden does not free you from walking with your dog. An enclosed border collie without physical stimulation can lead to significant behavioral problems.
Education
The Border Collie is known as a relatively easy dog to train, of course, provided he is done early and properly. One of the biggest challenges is to properly channel your dog's overflowing energy, which can make learning sessions difficult. Systematically take a positive approach to education and ban all forms of physical and verbal violence. Training should not be a series of bullying. The Border Collie needs to be stimulated to learn. Do not hesitate to start his education. It must be started from an early age and upon arrival at your home to avoid the risk of future aggression. The dog must also be properly socialized and multiply the positive encounters with other people, his fellows and other animals.
Nutrition: feed your Border Collie well
The border Collie diet should not be taken lightly. Like all dogs, they need high quality food that can meet all their needs. Remember, your limit loves to run. His calorie consumption is very important, and its diet must be able to support him in all his efforts.
Eat a diet rich in high-quality animal proteins and avoid plant protein products such as potatoes and chickpeas. The dog remains a carnivorous animal, even if it can sometimes feed on fruits or vegetables. Learn to decipher the labels of your products at the time of purchase, and above all avoid croquettes or pies sold in large quantities like the plague: their quality is disastrous.
In terms of quantity, if you choose croquettes, give you between 220 and 350 grams per day, depending on the age, height, weight and activity level of your Border Collie. The more he tends to exercise, the more he needs to eat. The border collie is sometimes sensitive to the stomach: choosing the right food is therefore important.
Care and hygiene of the Border Collie
Price for the purchase of a Border Collie: between 800 and 1300 euros
Vaccines: between 100 and 200 euros per year
Nutrition: from 50 euros per month for a high-quality diet
Monthly Budget: between 50 and 70 euros
The care of the Border Collie is quite simple, but you should not neglect it either. The short bristles of the Border Collie require only one good brush per week to get rid of dead hair and dirt. This dog molts twice a year, in spring and autumn. It then needs to be brushed almost every day. Give him a bath two to three times a year. Also think of the basic gestures that apply to all dogs: care of ears, claws, and teeth. Also, don't forget the anthelmintic and parasitic treatments (especially against fleas and ticks), especially since the Border Collie is a dog that usually develops outdoors. After all, regular and intense physical exercise must necessarily be part of the life of the Border Collie.
Sleep
Dogs, like humans, also need to rest. This is all the more true for the Border Collie, as it is a real electric battery. It is important not to disturb the rest of your Border Collie, regardless of the time of his life. Especially in puppies, sleep contributes to their growth. In older dogs, they can regain their strengths. The Border Collie is one of those dogs that can sleep outdoors in a well-equipped and suitable kennel. As a good family dog, he also has his place perfectly inside, but here too he needs a cozy corner that allows him to sleep without being afraid of being disturbed. Avoid giving your Border Collie access to your room.
Games and physical activities for Border Collie
The Border Collie cannot standstill. He needs to move, run, play, drive herds he needs to feel useful, and he needs to be able to spend his excess energy every day. Do not hesitate to take him for a jog: he will love it! But there are many other activities available for you. The Border Collie is particularly agile thanks to its lightness and speed. He can, however, also participate in the canicross, to arrhythmias, or unusual activities such as flyball or driving the ball. Also, remember to buy enough professional toys for your dog. First, because the Border Collie is intelligent and requires regular intellectual stimulation. But also because these games and toys allow him to take care during their absence.
Insurance: protect your Border Collie well
It is impossible to predict the vagaries of life, and buying an Australian Shepherd insurance policy is a great way to protect you. Not very aggressive for a penny, however, your dog could unintentionally cause an accident due to its hyperactive side.
They can then be subjected to proceedings as part of a compensation payment. Insurance for Border Collie is a great way to protect yourself. As a rule, liability insurance, which is often included in household contents insurance, already covers damage caused by your dog. If you want additional protection, contact private liability insurance, which is more expensive. In any case, before you decide on a specific contract,
Mutual dog insurance is also a great way to take care of your Border Collie without fear of bankruptcy. In fact, veterinary care in France is often exorbitant because the fees are not regulated. So it is quite possible to be confronted with an impossible bill, which results in some owners not having their dog treated.
A mutual border collie can save you the day by paying certain costs. However, you should always be careful when choosing the contract. Be aware that some insurance companies refuse to insure dogs that are too young or too old or already sick. If you are planning to purchase health insurance for your dog, avoid waiting too long. You can contact specialized mutual societies or you can contact more general mutual societies that also offer contracts for animals.
Carefully study the terms of refund and exclusion. A number of mutual societies do not reimburse the costs incurred by a genetic or hereditary disease. However, they cover surgical operations, medication and hospital costs, and, for some, funeral expenses. The higher the cost of mutual, the higher the refund will be limited as well. Read each contract carefully before you decide, and do not hesitate to seek advice from your veterinarian.
A number of mutual societies do not reimburse the costs incurred by a genetic or hereditary disease. However, they cover surgical operations, medication and hospital costs, and, for some, funeral expenses.
The higher the cost of mutual, the higher the refund will be limited as well. Read each contract carefully before you decide, and do not hesitate to seek advice from your veterinarian. A number of mutual societies do not reimburse the costs incurred by a genetic or hereditary disease. However, they cover surgical operations, medication and hospital costs, and, for some, funeral expenses. T
he higher the cost of mutual, the higher the refund will be limited as well. Read each contract carefully before you decide, and do not hesitate to seek advice from your veterinarian.
Physical features of the Border Collie
The Border Collie is a medium sized dog with a fairly light stature. The male is between 50 and 55 cm at the withers and weighs between 18 and 28 kg. The female is between 48 and 52 cm at the withers and weighs between 18 and 28 kg. The difference between the sexes is therefore not very pronounced.
The Border Collie belongs to group 1 of the FCI nomenclature of German Shepherd dogs and German Shepherd dogs (with the exception of Swiss Shepherd dogs). This group is identical to that of the Central Canine Society. The Border Collie belongs to section 1, that of the Sheepdogs, and bears the number 297.
Children And Other Pets
The Border Collie is a good family dog as long as he is properly educated and trained when he is young. He gets along with children and other pets, although his herd instinct leads him to pinch, hunt, and bark at children (especially very young children) and animals unless his herd instincts are directed otherwise.
As with any breed, you must always teach the children to approach and touch the dogs, and always monitor the interactions between dogs and young children to prevent both sides from biting or pulling their ear or tail. Teach your child never to approach a dog while he is eating or sleeping, or try to take the food from the dog. No dog, however friendly, should ever be left unattended with a child.
Rescue groups
Border collies are often bought without a clear understanding of what happens to own one. Many Border Collies need adoption or adoption. There are some rescues that we did not specify. If you don't see a rescue for your region, contact the national breed club or a local race club and you can direct them to a Border Collie rescue.
Border Collie Society of America
Racial Organizations
Below you will find race clubs, organizations, and associations where you will find more information about the Border Collie.
Border Collie Society of America