Size: Medium.
Weight: 40 to 60 pounds (male); 30 to 45 (female).
Availability: May take some effort to find.
Description:
The Border Collie is a moderate sized spark plug, resembling a lightly built Australian Shepherd without a bob-tail. The athletic body is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The skull is quite flat and medium width with a distinct stop. The muzzle is similar in length as the skull, with the top plane parallel to that of the skull when viewed from the side. The nose color should conform with the main color of the body. The ears can either be erect or semi-erect and sometimes even, one of each. In semi-erect ears, approximately ¼ to ¾ of the ear hangs over to the front or side. The ears are quite mobile and expressive. The oval shaped eyes are typically brown, though blue eyes are acceptable, even in dogs that are not merle. The eye rims should be totally pigmented. The teeth should come together in a scissors bite. The low-set tail reaches at least to the hock and is sometimes elevated when the dog is excited, but is never carried over the back. Coat varieties come in two types, the rough and smooth. The rough variety has a moderate length coat throughout the body, with feathering on the chest, backs of the front legs and haunches, and undersides. There is short, smooth hair on the ears, face, feet, and fronts of the legs. The smooth type has short hair on the entire body, with a minimal amount of feathering on the chest, ruff, and backs of the front legs and haunches. The surface consistency of the smooth variety’s coat can be more unrefined than that of the rough variety. The Border Collie’s color includes, black and white, tri-color, red and white, black and gray, and all black, merle and sable. White spots and/or ticking are permissible, but white should never be the main color. Since many Border Collies are bred for work and intelligence rather than for physical beauty, conformation can quite diverse.
History:
The Border Collie originated on the English/Scottish border in Northumberland. The breed is descended from old British droving breeds with a mix of spaniel added in. An outstanding herder of sheep and cattle, the Border Collie controls the stock by crouching down and hypnotizing the animals with his intense stare. As one of the most intelligent breeds, Border Collies can work successfully out of sight of his master, absence of commands. This versatile breed also serves well as a drug and explosive detection dog, and is a frequent high performer in obedience, agility and ball fetching exhibitions.
Notes:
To be truly happy, a Border Collie needs a lot of daily attention, extensive ongoing exercise, and a purpose. Can become aggressive if bored or ignored. The Border Collie can grow anxious if left alone for long periods, leading to many behavior problems. Known to be skilled at escaping, honed from his strong herding instincts, the Border Collie may be jumpy with children and strangers. They are best with an experienced owner with lots of time to devote to the dog. Potential owners who are looking for a pet should consider other similar, but more peaceful breeds like Shetland Sheepdogs Australian Shepherds. Prone to hip dysplasia, PRA and an eye condition common to collies called Collie Eye Anomaly. Purchase only from OFA and CERF certified stock. Also may be prone to deafness and epilepsy. Many Border Collies have allergies to fleas.
Talents:
Herding, , drug detection, general police work, search & rescue, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.
Personality:
Very smart, attentive, and responsive, with intense concentration when working. Excels at obedience, agility and fetch. Sensitive and very trainable. Loves being praised. Highly energetic, with long-lasting stamina. May be reserved with strangers. The adolescent Border Collie occasionally goes through a phase where he challenges his master’s authority. Many are sound sensitive and quite reactive, making them a poor choice for families with young children. To prevent shyness, the Border Collie should be very well socialized as a puppy. Dominance level is highly variable.
Behavior:
Children: Best with older, thoughtful children.
Friendliness: Moderately protective.
Trainability: Very easy to train.
Independence: Fairly dependent on people.
Dominance: High.
Other Pets: May be aggressive with dogs of the same sex; do not trust with non-canine pets.
Combativeness: Tends to be fairly dog-aggressive.
Noise: Likes to bark.
Indoors: Very active indoors.
Owner: Not recommended for novice owners.
Grooming and Physical Needs:
Grooming: Very little grooming necessary.
Trimming & Stripping: No trimming or stripping needed.
Coat: Medium coat.
Shedding: Average Shedder.
Exercise: Vigorous daily exercise needed.
Jogging: An excellent jogging companion.
Apartments: Not recommended for apartments or small quarters.
Outdoor Space: Best with acreage.
Climate: Does well in most climates.
Longevity: Moderately long lived (12 to 15 years).