Mary Allen
The Border Collie is a dog breed recognized by the FCI. He is assigned to FCI group 1, the group of herding and cattle dogs, and section 1, the section of shepherd dogs. It is regarded by the FCI as a herding dog and is one of the working dogs with a working test. The Border Collie enchants everyone with its open-minded nature and attentive gaze.
Border Collie Dog Breed Information
Size: 46-56cm
Weight: 12-20kg
FCI group: 1: herding dogs and cattle dogs
Section: 1: German Shepherds
Country of origin: Great Britain
Colors: brindle, black, red, gold, blue merle
Life expectancy: 12-16 years
Suitable as: rescue, herding, and disaster dog
Sports: Tournament dog sport, agility, obedience
Personality: Intelligent, Alert, Energetic, Tough, Responsive
Leaving requirements: high
Low drool potential
The thickness of hair: medium
Maintenance effort: medium
Coat Structure: Dense top coat of medium texture
Child-friendly: rather yes
Family dog: yes
Social: medium
Origin and Breed History
The English word “border” is already hidden in the name of the Border Collie, which refers to the border region “Border Country” between England and Scotland. In this region, the collie species has been used by local farmers for centuries to herd and drive flocks of sheep.
The second part of the breed name refers to the herding dogs belonging to the collie category. The word Collie means something like “useful object”, which is due to their function as herding dogs. Although the alert Border Collies made history primarily in England and Scotland, the earliest herding dog histories come from Italy. When the Romans invaded Britain, they brought the herding dog with them to what is now known as the United Kingdom. Of course, at that time there was still no talk of the “Border Collie” that is known today, but from the traditions, it is assumed that the dogs used at that time were very similar to today’s Border Collies. The Vikings also used the herding ability of the dogs to protect their herds of animals and drove and brought the dogs home with them after their campaigns.
The actual breeding of Border Collies only started at the end of the 19th century. The well-known male “Old Hemp” is considered the progenitor of the herding dogs. He was born in 1893 and showed impressive herding skills from an early age, at 12 months old. The male convinced with competitors in the so-called “Sheepdogtrails” and convinced with his herding and driving talent. For this reason, he was soon used as a stud dog and sired about 200 offspring. Many Border Collies of today’s breeding lines go back to Old Hemp.
The herding dog did not receive its current name until 1915. James Reid, then Managing Director of the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS), first used the name Border Collie. Back then, the pretty herding dogs were only judged on their driving and herding skills. A good hat quality was decisive and was evaluated at various sheepdog trails. It was only after FCI recognition in 1976 that the appearance of these intelligent dogs began to receive attention. The FCI officially recognized the Border Collie in September 1977 and the valid standard was published ten years later.
Nature and Temperament of the Border Collie
The Border Collie shines with its above-average intelligence and willingness to work. Its special feature is the “will to please”, which in German means something like “the will to meet needs”. The eager dog breed will do everything in its power to fulfill every wish of its master or mistress. Every shepherd will be amazed by the diligence and endurance of the pretty dog. It doesn’t matter whether it’s driving the herds, leading the animals into gates, or isolating individual animals, the Border Collie shows great herding talent and is still very much valued as a herding dog, especially in England and Scotland.
Apart from the fascinating herding and herding skills, Border Collies have a very intelligent, attentive, and friendly nature. However, the British are also very sensitive and need competent and reliable leadership. The dog’s need for herding should also not be underestimated. If they are not trained properly or if they are not challenged enough, Border Collies often start looking after children, cars, joggers, or the like. It is not uncommon for this to lead to unpleasant misbehavior on the part of the dogs, which is often misinterpreted as aggression and malice.
Border Collies are Medium-sized Dogs
Males reach a stick size between 48 and 56 cm. Females are usually smaller and have a height at the withers of between 46 and 53 cm.
The Appearance of the Border Collie
The Border Collie’s body is perfectly shaped for running long distances and working in rough terrain. The dogs have a harmonious build that is more long than high and well-muscled. The Collie’s body is designed for stamina, speed, and agility, exactly those qualities that are demanded of him when herding and driving. The Brit is also perfectly equipped with his fur to withstand any weather condition.
According to the FCI standard, two variants of the coat are allowed. On the one hand, there are dogs that have moderately long fur, on the other hand, some dogs are stock-haired. In both cases, the dog’s coat should be dense and have an equally dense undercoat so that the dogs are prepared for any weather. The texture of the hair is medium. Typical of the Border Collie are its mane, trousers, and flag, which are often kept in white. In contrast to the rest of the body, the Border Collie’s coat is short and smooth on the front legs and face. Likewise, the coat on the hind legs from the hocks down should be short in length and smooth in texture.
In terms of color, the standard allows many variations, only pure white is not allowed. Well-known colors and color combinations are, for example:
- black-and-white
- tricolor
- red
- blue
- blue merle
- red merle
- mottled black and white
- sable colors
- lilac
- Australian Red
Markings appear predominantly in white, but in the case of the tricolor mostly in camouflage, a light shade of brown. There can also be camouflage-colored markings on other color variants.
When fully grown, the dogs usually weigh between 12 and 22 kg, depending on gender. Males measure between 48 and 56 cm at the withers, while females are up to 10 cm smaller, with a height at the withers of between 46 and 53 cm. The dog’s head is broad and the stop is very pronounced. In addition, the muzzle is relatively short and the dogs have a powerful scissor bite. The eyes of the charming dogs are brown. Only in the color variation blue-merle may one or both eyes be blue.
Upbringing and Keeping of the Border Collie – This is Important to Note
It is important to say that the Border Collie is definitely not a dog for beginners. If you want to get a Border Collie, you should already have experience in owning a dog and act as a calm and reliable dog handler. The sensitive Brits need an owner they can rely on and someone to turn to. They are willing to fulfill every wish of their master or mistress, but the dog handler must be able to formulate the command clearly and enforce it consistently.
Border Collies are among those dog breeds for which it is essential to start training early. The dogs have the basic instinct of herding in their blood and it shows early on. If training starts early enough, the euphoria and vigor of the pretty Collies can be used to make a positive contribution to training. If the herding instinct is neglected, disregarded, or demanded, behavioral disorders or inconveniences in the dogs can develop early on.
Is a Border Collie a Family Pet?
In principle, a Border Collie can be kept as a family dog. He is fond of children and gets along well with other pets. However, the upbringing should preferably always be taken over by one or two people in the household, since the Border Collie needs a reference person.
Diet of the Border Collie
The Border Collie’s diet is very dependent on what exercise the dog is exposed to each day. In general, a dog’s diet is closely related to how much daily exercise it takes, how old it is and whether it has any disabilities. Allergies, pregnancy, or various diseases can be regarded as impairments. Puppies and pregnant bitches have a much higher energy requirement than unimpaired adult dogs.
It is important for the Border Collie to choose a diet that contains enough protein to properly nourish its muscles. If a ready-made food is fed, care should be taken that the protein content of the food is not less than 30%. If the dog does not have any food allergies, it also makes sense to use a food that has whole grains, fruit and vegetables added to it. If no ready-made food is fed, it is advisable to cook fresh and varied food for the dog. It is particularly important to cover all minerals and vitamins.
Anyone who cooks or barf for their darling should not forget to eat enough vegetables and fruit. It usually seems a bit unusual at first to feed the dog apples or bananas. But these foods also support the immune system and energy metabolism. Of course, it also depends a lot on what foods your dog prefers and what he likes. Care should be taken with raw carrots, chocolate, milk, or heavily spiced food as dogs do not tolerate these foods well or they are even toxic to their bodies. Apart from a varied and nutritious diet, care should be taken to ensure that there are enough omega 3 and 6 in the feed. It makes sense to feed fish now and then instead of meat, but only in cooked form and not raw. Fish oil is also an excellent addition to a dog’s balanced diet.
When are Border Collies Fully Grown?
As a rule, the Border Collie is fully grown after 14-16 months. In the first seven months, the herding dog grows constantly and after this time reaches about 90% of its height.
Healthy – Life Expectancy & Common Diseases
Healthy Border Collies generally live between 12 and 14 years of age. However, these pedigree dogs, like many of their relatives, are also affected by genetically inherited diseases. Like the Australian Shepherd, the herding dog often suffers from the so-called MDR1 defect. This defect causes a hypersensitivity reaction to various drugs. The Briton is also affected by Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA for short), an inherited eye disease, and Janine Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (CL), a fatal metabolic disease. Border Collies can also inherit Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS), a disease of the bone marrow. This disease causes a reduced release of white blood cells into the bloodstream. Breeders try to contain hereditary diseases through selection and various breeding strategies.
Like the Australian Shepherd, a Border Collie from a Merle x Merle breed is also affected by defects such as frequent deafness or blindness. Dogs from this breed combination often suffer from blindness in one or both eyes. For this reason, it is forbidden in Germany to breed dogs from these crossbreeds. Breeding of this kind is classified as torture breeding and is therefore punishable. Unfortunately, there are always breeders who do not care about the well-being of the dogs and who still breed dogs from these crosses. In America, the discipline of this mating is allowed. There, dogs that have a defect are killed without exception. In France, too, it is possible to apply for such breeding to be permitted in some cases.
How Old Do Border Collies Get?
The Border Collie has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
Grooming the Border Collie
Grooming the Border Collie is relatively straightforward compared to many other dog breeds. The herding dogs should be brushed regularly and it is recommended that the dogs be trimmed. The dense undercoat can be a burden for these pretty dogs, especially on hot summer days. A good dog groomer will quickly thin out the undercoat without damaging the topcoat. Since the legs have short and smooth fur, it is not a must to have the Border Collie clipped. Even after bathing trips, the fur of the cattle dogs dries relatively quickly.
Border Collie Activities and Training
Due to its intelligence and sporting disposition, the Border Collie is also perfectly suited for every imaginable dog sport. Whether obedience, flyball, agility, or popular sport, the agile herding dog is always happy to be at the start. Due to its “will to please” the Border Collie is the model dog par excellence with correct and clear leadership and will anticipate every wish from its owner’s eyes. In general, training with the Border Collie is a pure pleasure, as long as the handler has experience in giving commands correctly and in guiding the dog.
Apart from various dog sports, the Border Collie is also suitable for various training courses to become a therapy, rescue, or assistance dog. The attentive Briton is sensitive and empathetic towards other people and is happy to support them with physical and mental limitations.
How Much Exercise Does a Border Collie Need?
The Border Collie is one of the most agile dog breeds, which is why it needs a lot of exercise and activity. A good average here is at least two hours of exercise per day.
Good to Know: Peculiarities of the Border Collie
A special feature of the Border Collie is its strong drive and herding sense. Hardly any other breed of dog finds as much joy in controlling and controlling herds as the handsome Brit. But what gives the dog incredible joy on the one hand can become a real nightmare if not challenged. Many owners find it difficult to adequately and properly challenge the Border Collie’s drive, resulting in the dog suddenly beginning to herd cars, children, or passers-by. If this behavior is not corrected immediately and the dog is not offered more exercise, the personality of the Border Collie can quickly change. A frustrated herding dog is prone to aggressive and pushy behavior, which many people misinterpret as pure aggression or viciousness.
Cons of the Border Collie
If you are thinking about bringing a Border Collie into your home, you should expect high veterinary costs, a lot of physical exertion, and time-consuming training. Since the herding dog is affected by many hereditary diseases, early check-ups at the vet are mandatory and regular check-ups are also essential. Of course, this also applies to any other breed of dog, but due to the selective breeding and the resulting hereditary diseases, it is far more likely that the British will fall ill at a young age or at an advanced age.
Is the Border Collie Right for Me?
The Border Collie is certainly not a dog for everyone, but once you fall in love with the elegant jocks, you probably won’t look back. Of course, the herding dog needs a lot of exercises and long walks should not be uncommon, but it is a pleasure to watch the British at work. The above-average will to learn and the eager work ethic make Border Collie a true genius among its peers. His agility when herding and his alert nature make him something special, especially for shepherds and farmers. Everyone should decide for themselves whether the Border Collie is ultimately a good choice. Athleticism, readiness for time-consuming training, and enough experience in dog ownership are prerequisites.
How Much Does a Border Collie Cost?
A Border Collie bought from a reputable breeder usually costs between $800 and $1500. The actual sum depends on the pedigree or the lineage of the dog.