Border Collie
Temperament:
Originally from Great Britain, the Border Collie is a cheerful dog. He loves physical and mental challenges. The Border Collie belongs to the category of working and herding dogs, but its affectionate and loyal nature also makes it an ideal family dog. It is one of the most intelligent dogs in the world.
Characteristics
The breed belongs to the recognized FCI Group 1, Herding and Driving Dogs, Section 1 - Sheepdogs.
The color of the Border Collie is very variable. The best known colors are black and white and brown and white. The coat can be bicolored or tricolored, whereby the white color must not predominate. The coat is either long-haired or stocky. Dense hair on the neck, tail and hind legs is a typical breed characteristic.
The height at the withers of males is 56 cm. Bitches usually reach a height at the withers of 46 to 53 cm. The Border Collie weighs between 14 and 20 kg, depending on its size. Its life expectancy is up to 16 years.
He is a very athletic and persistent dog. He needs a lot of exercise to get rid of his energy. As the owner, you have to teach him to take breaks. The Border Collie generally has a tireless will to work.
As one of the best runners among herding dogs, it gracefully drives the herd forward without frightening the animals. It is typical of the breed that the Border Collie does not bark, but rather creeps along like a cat. He fixes and directs the animals with his eyes. His intelligence and alertness are remarkable.
The Border Collie is a very sensitive, affectionate and attentive friend. It loves to be praised and rewarded and always seeks to be close to its owner. Its friendly nature also makes it a popular pet for children and families.
He occasionally shows anxious traits, but also likes to try to dominate. He has sensitive powers of observation. You should be a sensitive but also consistent owner for this alert dog.
Its active and powerful nature demands physical and mental exercise. The dog is not satisfied with walks alone. Various dog sports such as agility, dogdance or flyball are the ideal balance for his hunger for energy.
The Border Collie always wants to be challenged. In addition to being used as a working dog, it is therefore particularly suitable for families with children. Sufficient time and ideally a large garden should be available. It is less suitable as a city and apartment dog.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
As with any other dog, the Border Collie's diet should be adapted to the dog's age, size and activity level. As the Border Collie is a very active dog by nature, care must be taken to ensure that it gets enough nutrients from its food.
In general, he does not tend to be overweight. However, if you keep him as a family dog, you should make sure that he gets enough exercise. An oversupply of food can easily lead to the Border Collie becoming overweight. It can also have a negative effect on his body and skeleton.
Canned food containing sugar, a high grain content or leftovers from the table should be avoided at all costs. The quality of the food is crucial: it should contain high-quality ingredients and be balanced.
High-quality food increases the life expectancy of your Border Collie. You also prevent intolerances and diseases.
In addition to his basic food, you can reward him with small treats. You can offer him raw fruit and vegetables or treats.
Health & Care
The coat is the main characteristic of the Border Collie. It comes in longhair and stockhair varieties. Due to the dense top coat and thick undercoat, the coat needs to be groomed regularly to keep it looking shiny and healthy.
The coat should be brushed thoroughly at least every other day. This prevents tangles and knots in the coat. It also makes it easier to detect ticks or parasites. The best way to do this is with a special flea comb. During the shedding period, it is helpful to brush your dog daily.
As long as your dog's claws are not too worn from being outdoors, you should check and trim them regularly. The Border Collie's nails grow just as quickly as human fingernails.
In general, the paws should be checked for injuries, parasites or foreign bodies. Sometimes the hair on the paws gets a little too long. It can also restrict the dog's mobility and sure-footedness. In this case, the hair can be shortened slightly.
In addition to epilepsy, Border Collies are sometimes prone to eye diseases due to their breed. To prevent this, it is necessary to wipe the dog's eye secretions regularly. This can be done with a damp cloth in the direction of the nose.
The ears must also be checked regularly for parasites and dirt. Dirt can easily be removed with a damp cloth without hurting the dog. The same applies to the nose and mouth.
The Border Collie is not a bathing friend by nature. Unless his coat is so dirty that it can no longer be brushed out. Then you should bathe him with a mild dog shampoo.
Suitable accessories
The Border Collie is first and foremost a herding dog. It 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 to do so, it is best to use a herding whistle. This is fun for both you as the owner and the dog.
You will definitely need a comb, a grooming brush and a trimmer for grooming.
A claw trimmer should also be part of the Collie accessories. A collar and lead are part of the basic equipment. Even if the Border Collie is not a friend of the lead.
A dog toothpaste, toothbrush or finger brush is useful for dental care.
You can have a lot of fun with your dog with toys. Frisbees are very popular with this breed. An agility set is a great way to set up a course on a larger area. Tunnels, slalom poles and much more can be used for this. This challenges the dog.
Origin & History
The Border Collie is also known as the Scottish Shepherd Dog. It originates from the border region between Scotland and England. The name comes from the border areas, the Border Counties. Border means border in English, collie means something useful. In the Border Counties, herding dogs were needed that could do their work regardless of the climate. The Border Collie is able to do this due to its coat characteristics.
Today's Border Collie was mentioned as early as the 16th century. A passage from the book Treatise on English Doggess from 1576 by John Caius, the personal physician of Queen Elizabeth I, reports on today's Border Collie. It emphasizes the dog's special qualities as a herding dog.
The progenitor and most important stud dog of the modern Border Collie, Old Hemp, dates back to 1893 and was a great master of sheep herding. Numerous offspring are said to descend from him. The breed name Border Collie has existed since 1910.
The breed first came to Germany in the 1970s and has been one of the most popular herding dogs ever since. It is also increasingly being kept as a leisure dog and is particularly popular with families.
The Border Collie has been recognized by the FCI and the Kennel Club since 1976.
