The Border Collie Guide

The Border Collie is considered by many to be one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. This top-level sheep herder has a serious work ethic and will do best in working environments or with families who can provide it with an abundance of activity.

Quick Stats

Group: Herding

Size: Medium

Height: 19-22 inches (48- 56 cm.)

Weight: 35 -50 pounds (16-23 kg.)

Shedding: Moderate

Grooming: Easy

Lifespan: 13-15 years

Border Collie History

This breed was created for sheep herding. It was developed on the border of England and Scotland, which is how it got the “Border,” in its name. Its ancestors were the reindeer herding dogs of the Vikings which were brought with them when they invaded Scotland.

These spitz-type dogs were in later times crossed with dogs such as the Valée Sheepdog to produce a sheep herding dog that was better suited for the hilly Scottish terrain. The Border Collie evolved from these cross-bred dogs. They are believed to have been in widespread use as farm and herding dogs since the first century.

By the 1800s with the expansion of the wool industry, they became a very common sight in farming communities throughout all of the countries in Great Britain. However, the Border Collie didn’t become an officially recognized breed until 1915.

Border Collie Characteristics

The Border Collie stands between nineteen and twenty-two inches tall and weighs between thirty-five and fifty pounds. The body is lean, muscular, and athletic. It has a wide skill with a very distinct stop. The ears are set well apart and carried either fully or semi-erect. The eyes are oval in shape and can be any color. The tail is long and set low.

It’s never carried over the back of the dog; however, it may be raised when it is excited. The Border Collie coat comes in two types: the rough coat and smooth coat. The rough coat can be from medium to long in length and either straight or slightly wavy in texture. It is short and smooth on the face. The smooth coat is short in length and smooth over the entire body of the dog with the exception of feathering.

While any coat color or combination of colors is acceptable the predominant ear color should be the same color as the main color of the body. Common colors are black and white, white and tan, gray and black, red and white, and all black.

Border Collie Health 

As with all dog types, this breed is known to be affected by certain health conditions. The most common Border Collie health problems include:

-progressive retinal atrophy

-collie eye anomaly (CEA)

-glaucoma

-epilepsy

-neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL)

-trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS)

-hip dysplasia

-elbow dysplasia

-hypothyroidism

-congenital deafness

-sensitivity to anesthesia

-sensitivity to Ivermectin

The average Border Collie lifespan is from thirteen to fifteen years.

Border Collie Temperament 

This is an extremely intelligent breed of dog. And because it was developed to work it also has an enormous amount of energy. The Border Collie is very people-oriented, loves attention, and is also quite sensitive.

It’s well-known for being easy to train and is very good with kids and other dogs as well. However smaller pets can sometimes be an issue. Although not a reliable watchdog since it rarely barks, the breed can be a bit stand-offish with strangers.

Border Collie Care 

The Border Collie is a first-class herding dog but also can be a fabulous family companion. However, due to its working background, it does require intense exercise each and every day. In fact, the breed is accurately described as having the drive of a tireless workaholic. Therefore it is not the right fit for individuals and families who aren’t very active.

If a Border Collie doesn’t have enough exercise, a job to do, or a lot of play, it can become destructive, compulsive, and obsessive. While it is known to be a very easy breed to train, Border Collie training and socialization should start when it is a young puppy.

Training when the dog is young is especially important to help re-direct the instinct to herd just about anything that moves. The breed’s coat needs brushing and combing once or twice per week to keep it tangle-free and looking good.

Border Collie Facts

-The cleverness and versatility of the breed can be applied to many activities other than herding. The Border Collie excels in agility and obedience competitions. It can also be used for search and rescue, tracking, and even protection work. They also make excellent service and therapy dogs.

-While very smart, Border Collie puppies do tend to mature a bit more slowly than other breeds, and they may have puppy-like behaviors and habits until they are around two years old.

-The vast majority of Border Collies today can have their lineage traced back to a dog named Old Hemp. Born in northern England in the border county of Northumberland in 1894, he was famous for his sheep herding abilities, and his pups were highly desirable of which he produced around two hundred.

-While the breed is quick to learn they are extremely sensitive. Therefore training should never be harsh. Instead, it should use unemotional commands and a lot of positive praise.  Some dogs actually fear letting down their master so much that they may shut down completely when confused.

-Because they were bred for hundreds of years to chase things that move, the  Border Collie is known to sometimes chase cars as well. This can be very dangerous and is one of the reasons that basic obedience training is so important when owning this breed.

-When herding sheep the breed actually works in total silence as it follows the signals or commands of the shepherd. It’s also known for hugging the ground and its intense stare when working.

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