Pets

Border Collie Dog Breed Profile

Description: The Border Collie is a medium-sized, agile and fast dog. The dog will be 19 to 22 inches at the withers and the bitch 18 to 21 inches. Weight will vary between 27 and 45 pounds, depending on gender. The Border Collie has two coat forms, rough and smooth. The rough one has medium length hair. Both types have a hard outer shell over a dense undercoat. This dog’s coat is usually black and white, but red and white, black, yellow, and white are all acceptable. The Border Collie will live 12 to 15 years.

History: The Border Collie is considered to have descended from dogs brought to Scotland by the Vikings. These dogs were used in their homeland as reindeer herders. These dogs were interbred with the local sheepdogs and eventually the result was the Border Collie. This breed separated from the Collie in the 19th century. As the Collie is highly trainable, it has excelled at herding sheep.

Temperament: While the Border Collie does bond very closely with its trainer, it is not the best dog for a family with young children. The Collie loves to work at something, whether it’s herding sheep or acting agile and he needs to have something to do to keep his mental balance. It should be remembered that the Border Collie developed as a working dog, not as a companion. He was used to working independently, unlike hunting dogs that cooperate with human hunters, and has a more independent way of thinking. The Collie can be easily kept in a kennel (provided its owner spends some time with it) and is not recommended as a companion dog.

Health Issues: The Border Collie is subject to hip and elbow dysplasia. This breed of taxi also suffers from epilepsy and cataracts. Show dogs are especially prone to various genetic problems. It is important that you purchase your Collie from a reputable breeder, who will have examined hereditary defects. Progressive retinal atrophy is also found in the Collie.

Grooming: The Border Collie needs to be groomed regularly, especially the rough-coated variety. Make sure to keep the coat free of tangles and matting. The Collie will blow its fur twice a year, and at this time, grooming should become more intensive. Since most of this dog spends a lot of time outdoors, it should be checked regularly for ticks, especially around the ears. A dry shampoo can be administered when needed.

Living conditions: The border dog is not adapted to living in an apartment. This dog is very active and even a long walk every day will not meet his energy needs. A large yard is needed, at the very least, to keep the Collie happy. Since this dog was developed as a sheepdog, it does not require the intensive human interaction that so many dog ​​breeds require. The Collie will be fine if kept in a kennel, and exercising with his owner in agility or some other active sport will satisfy his mental and physical needs.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *