Border Collie
Temperament:
Originating from Great Britain, the Border Collie is a cheerful nature. He loves the physical and mental challenge. The Border Collie belongs to the category of working and herding dogs, but due to his affectionate and loyal nature he is also very suitable for the family. He is one of the most intelligent dogs in the world.
Characteristics
The breed belongs to the recognized FCI group 1, the herding and driving dogs, section 1 - the shepherd dogs.
The color of the Border Collie is very different. He is known mainly in the color black and white or brown and white. The coat may appear bicolored or tricolored, but white may not predominate. The coat is either longhaired or stockhaired. Dense hair on the neck, tail and hind legs are a typical breed characteristic.
The height at the withers in males is 56 cm. Bitches usually grow between 46 and 53 cm. The Border Collie weighs between 14 and 20 kilograms, depending on its size. His life expectancy is up to 16 years.
He is a very sporty and hardworking dog. He needs a lot of exercise to get rid of his energy. At the same time, as an owner, you must teach him to take breaks. The Border Collie generally has a tireless urge to work.
As one of the top runners in the category of herding dogs, he gracefully drives the herd without shooing the animals. It is typical for the breed that the Border Collie does not bark and creeps up more like a cat. He fixes and directs the animals with his eyes. His intelligence and alertness is remarkable.
The Border Collie is a very sensitive, affectionate and attentive friend. He loves to be praised and rewarded and always seeks closeness to his owner. His friendly nature also makes him a popular pet with children and families. He shows fearful traits now and then, but on the other hand, he also likes to try to dominate. In addition, he has a sensitive power of observation. For the bright dog you should be a sensitive but at the same time strict and consistent pet owner.
His active and powerful nature requires physical and mental nourishment. Walks alone are not enough for the dog. Various dog sports such as agility, dogdance or flyball are the perfect balance to his energy drive.
The Border Collie always wants to be challenged. He is therefore, in addition to the use as a working dog, especially suitable for families with children. You should have enough time and ideally a large garden. As a city and apartment dog, he is less suitable.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
The food for the Border Collie should be adjusted to the respective age, size and activity level, just like for any other dog. Since the Border Collie is by nature a very active dog, you must make sure to provide him with enough nutrients through the food.
As a rule, he does not tend to be overweight. However, if you keep him as a family dog, you must make sure that he gets enough exercise. Overfeeding could easily lead to obesity in the Border Collie. It can also have negative effects on his body and skeleton.
Canned food containing sugar, high grain content or leftovers from the table should be avoided at all costs. The dog could suffer kidney problems. A balanced diet of lean food is optimal for the Border Collie. The quality of the food is crucial. You should go for good quality and for that small amounts of proteins, fat and carbohydrates.
With high-quality food, you prolong its life expectancy. In addition, you prevent intolerances and diseases. An ideal diet is, for example, a combination of dry food and fresh meat. To prevent possible deficiencies, it is important that you provide enough variety in the diet. In addition to his main meal, you can also reward him with small snacks. You can offer him raw fruits and vegetables or buffalo skin treats.
Border collie care
The coat is the most prominent feature of the Border Collie. It comes in long haired or stock haired variations. The coat requires regular grooming due to its dense top coat and dense undercoat to keep it shiny and appear healthy.
At least every other day you should brush the coat thoroughly. This will prevent matting and knots in the coat. In addition, you recognize the nesting of possible ticks or parasites easier. This works best with a special flea comb. When the coat change is coming up, it is helpful if you brush the dog twice a day.
Unless the dog's claws are worn down enough from being outside, you should check and trim them regularly. The Border Collie's claws grow as quickly as the human fingernail. You should generally check the paws for injuries, parasites or any foreign bodies. Sometimes the hairs get a little too long. They can also restrict the dog's mobility and slip resistance. In this case you can easily trim the hair.
Due to the breed, the Border Collie is sometimes prone to eye diseases in addition to epilepsy. To prevent this, it is necessary that you wipe the eye secretion of the dog regularly. You can do this with a damp cloth in the direction of the nose. A fresh cloth should always be used for each eye.
The ears also need to be checked again and again for parasites and dirt. With a damp cloth you can easily remove the dirt without hurting the dog. The same applies to the nose and teeth.
The Border Collie is by nature not a friend of the bathtub. Only if the animal is obviously particularly dirty or sick. Then you should bathe it with a mild dog shampoo.
Suitable accessories
Border Collie in the first place a passionate herding dog. He can herd not only sheep, but also other animals such as rabbits or ducks. If you want to give him such a task or train him, then you best use a herding whistle for this. This will give you as the owner and the dog equal pleasure.
In any case, for grooming you will need a comb, a plucking brush and a trimmer.
Also the claw cutter should be part of the collie accessories. Collar and leash belong to the basic equipment. Even if the Border Collie is not a friend of the leash.
Especially you can have fun with the dog with useful toys. Frisbees are very popular with the breed. With an agility set you can wonderfully build a course in a larger terrain. Tunnels, slalom poles and much more can be used for this purpose. This way you challenge the dog.
Origin & History
The Border Collie is also called Scotthish Sheepdog. He comes from the borderland between Scotland and England. The name is derived from the border areas, the Border Counties. Border stands in English for the border, the term Collie stands for something Useful. In the Border Counties, herding dogs were needed that could do their job regardless of the climate. Due to their coat characteristics, Border Collies are able to do this.
Already in the 16th century was spoken of today's Border Collie. A text passage from the book Treatise on English Doggess from the year 1576 by John Caius, the personal physician of Queen Elizabeth I, reports on the modern Border Collie. In it, the special qualities of the dog in its work as a herding dog are emphasized.
The progenitor and most important stud dog of the modern Border Collie breed is known by the name of Old Hemp. He dates back to 1893 and was a great champion sheep herder. Numerous descendants are said to be descended from him. The breed name Border Collie has been valid since the year 1910.
The breed first came to Germany in the 1970s and has been one of the most popular herding dogs ever since. More and more often he is also kept as a leisure dog and especially families love him.
Since 1976 the Border Collie has been recognized by the FCI and the Kennel Club.
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