Border Collie
Description:
The Border Collie (BC) is a very good looking and intelligent dog of great strength, stamina and speed. This is one of the very active dog breeds. This collie’s double coat is medium long and water resistant. The BC is normally black and white but there are a variety of other acceptable colours but white should not predominate. Male collies stand about 19I to 2` inches at shoulder height and female dogs about 18 to 20 inches. BC’s can weigh from 30 to 50 pounds.
Border Collies are members of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Herding Dog Group.
Border Collie Pictures:
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History:
BC’s originated on the border between England and Wales where they were used as sheep herding dogs. Border Collies were ranked 60th out of 154 dog breeds in 2004 AKC registrations.
Temperament:
BC’s are extremely active and intelligent which is a difficult combination to live with unless you can give it a lot of exercise, attention and training. These Collies are extremely fast and agile and can be readily trained to be great competitors at agility trials. Border Collies really should be herding livestock on a farm but if this isn’t possible you must substitute lots and lots of advanced obedience or agility, jogging, biking and Frisbee playing. Without lots of physical and mental activity, BC’s will become hyperactive and impossible to live with These Collies can get very destructive and bark continuously if they are left along in the yard. However if BC’s have the right owners, they can become great family dogs which are good with older children. BC’s are not a suitable dog for a novice or first-time dog owner.
Exercise:
Border Collies need a tremendous amount of physical exercise as well as mental exercise. This breed is not suited for city or apartment living. The BC does best in a rural setting.
Grooming:
The Border Collies need regular brushing to remove dead hair. Bathe only when necessary and check the ears and coat for ticks on a regular basis.
Health Issues:
BC’s live from 12 to 15 years of age and are generally healthy with some tendencies toward retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia and epilepsy. Information on these genetic diseases can be found in our article Hereditary Diseases in Dogs. Prospective buyers should ask for the breeding parents Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) test results for hip dysplasia and also the Canine Eye Registry (CERF) recent ophthalmologists report for eye disorders.
Article type: xdogbreed
