Border Collie
Where Are Border Collies From?
The Border Collie was a sheep herding dog in the British Isles, especially Scotland, long before Great Britain became industrialized. They came to Britain when the Roman Empire invaded and occupied Britain in the year 43, bringing livestock and dogs along with them. When Rome fell and Vikings invaded, Viking dogs were crossed with the Roman breeds, creating the Border Collie.
The breed officially got its name in the 1890s, due to its probable origin along the English and Scottish border. Popularity of the Border Collie began in the late 1800s, when competitive sheep dog trials began and the breed outshined all other dogs in its class. Border Collies routinely have been at the top of the list for world’s smartest dogs and have ruled agility competitions. The breed did not join the American Kennel Club until 1995 and are number 35 in breed popularity overall.
Caring for a Border Collie
What Kind of Diet Does a Border Collie Need?
What Kind of Diet Does a Border Collie Need?
The Border Collie does well on a high-quality diet. Depending on their activity level, some may require a higher caloric intake than others. Discuss any dietary concerns with your veterinarian.
How Often Should You Brush a Border Collie?
How Often Should You Brush a Border Collie?
Although the Border Collie has two coat types, grooming is the same for both. Brushing is recommended once or twice a week except during shedding season when daily brushing is required.
Are Border Collies Healthy Dogs?
Are Border Collies Healthy Dogs?
Border Collies are working dogs and are built for stamina and agility. However, they have been bred specifically for performance characteristics, which makes them susceptible to genetic conditions. Musculoskeletal disorders exist and these dogs are prone to hip dysplasia and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). Border Collies are also prone to epilepsy, which leads to seizures between 6 months and 3 years of age. As a herding breed, eye problems are common, specifically progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and collie eye anomaly (CEA). These are inherited diseases that cause puppies and adult dogs to develop vision difficulties. Deafness is also prevalent in the breed and they are 10 times more likely to be deaf if born to a deaf mother.
Border Collies are predisposed to: hip dysplasia, cryptorchidism, collie eye anomaly (CEA), progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), pannus, lens luxation, epilepsy, cataracts, osteochondrosis of the shoulder, congenital deafness, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, and trapped neutrophil syndrome.
Can You Train a Border Collie?
Can You Train a Border Collie?
The Border Collie needs to be socialized early, exposing them to a wide variety of people and situations, since they can be shy around strangers. Obedience is also very important early and throughout their life to provide mental stimulation. They are very smart, which makes them fun to train. They have a tendency to herd animals and people, so supervise them closely around small children.
How Much Exercise Does a Border Collie Need?
How Much Exercise Does a Border Collie Need?
Border Collies require a lot of daily exercise and are a very high energy dog. They are happiest when they have duties to fulfill and space to run. The Border Collie breed is for active owners and they do not behave when stuck inside or left alone.
What Are Physical Characteristics of a Border Collie?
Border Collie Facts
Other Breeds to Explore
References
- Morris, Desmond. Dogs: The Ultimate Dictionary of Over 1,000 Dog Breeds. Trafalgar Square, 2002.
- American Kennel Club. The Complete Dog Book. Random House Digital, Inc., 2006.
- Wilcox, Bonnie and Chris Walkowicz. The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World. T.F.H Publications, Inc., 1995.
- Kriss, Randa. “Border Collie Dog Breed Information.” American Kennel Club, 6 Nov. 2017, www.akc.org/dog-breeds/border-collie.