Border collies are herding dogs that were bred to herd livestock like sheep. They’re an intelligent, obedient breed. Border collies are energetic, smart, and athletic dogs. Consequently, they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. There’s even been one case of a border collie who learned to recognize over 1,000 words.
What Is a Border Collie?
Border collies are workaholics who need a lot of time and energy from their owners. They’re athletic dogs who like to have a purpose. Once they’re worn out, though, they’re great cuddlers and love to be with their families.
Border collie traits. These dogs have rough and smooth coats that come in different colors. They have intelligent almond eyes with an intense gaze. This is called their ‘herding eye.’ Border collies are highly trainable and love agility training.
Their coats range from black, black-and-tan, and reddish-brown. They usually have white markings. Some border collies can be merle, brindle, or mostly white in color. Coat colors, though, aren’t linked to working characteristics.
Border collie characteristics. Border collies are medium-sized dogs that are muscular but nimble. Males are usually 19 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder. Females are slightly smaller, between 18 and 21 inches tall. Male and female border collies both weigh around 30 to 55 pounds.
Border collie life expectancy. A happy, healthy border collie can live between 12 and 15 years. As a medium-sized dog, they can have a longer lifespan than larger breeds.
Border collie temperament. Border collies were selectively bred to gather and fetch livestock. Through this breeding, they became intense, energetic, trainable dogs. They have great instincts and the ability to reason at an impressive level.
Border collie personality. They’re keen, alert dogs who can work and problem-solve independently. They love a good challenge and are pretty down-to-earth.
Caring for Border Collies
Building a routine for your border collie will help them stay healthy and be happy. A proper diet and exercise are also great for their overall health.
Their coats need brushing weekly to keep them from knotting up and shedding. Their rough coat is medium-length. Their smooth coat is shorter and coarser. Both coats are weather-resistant.
Grooming is the same for both. Border collies need a pin brush once or twice a week. This helps remove mats, tangles, and dirt they may collect outside.
Because border collies are so smart, they need to stay active to keep away boredom.
Border collies can also be sensitive to sound, so they may get anxious during thunderstorms or national celebrations where fireworks are involved. Make sure to keep an eye on them and help them feel secure and safe. Don’t let them out unattended at such times because they may run away.
Feed your border collie a high-quality diet that’s right for their age. Give them a consistent diet to avoid upsetting their stomach. Avoid giving them human food.
Border collies are highly active and want to serve a purpose. Use positive reinforcement during training. This will work well with their personality. They’re alert, curious, and like to stay busy. You’ll need to keep their body and mind stimulated. Without that, they can develop problematic behavior.
Health Problems to Watch for with Border Collies
When looking into border collies, you should ensure their parents have been properly screened. This reduces your puppy’s chances of inheriting conditions that can shorten their life.
Border collies are generally healthy dogs and very hardy since they spend a lot of time working. Certain genetic conditions can occur. Routine evaluations will keep you updated on any treatment your pet may need.
Hip dysplasia. This condition causes arthritis in your dog’s legs because their joints fit together correctly.
Collie eye anomaly. This is a border collie-specific condition that causes an abnormality in the back of their eye. This condition can be tested for.
Epilepsy. Border collies are prone to epilepsy, inducing seizures earlier in life. There is no cure, but there are medications that can help manage the symptoms.
Periodic blood testing will monitor how well your dog is doing on medication and if it’s working for them. Seizures typically start between six months and three years of age.
Imerslun-Gräsbeck Syndrome. This inherited blood disorder can cause problems for your border collie.
Multi-drug resistance. This is common in medium-sized herding dogs. It’s a condition that causes your dog to be sensitive to certain common medications. Genetic screening is available for this condition.
Bone disorder. When border collie puppies grow too fast, the cartilage in their joints doesn’t attach right. This condition is called osteochondritis dissecans. Surgery may be required to fix the issue. If your puppy grows faster than four pounds per week, they could be at risk.
Thyroid problems. Border collies are prone to hypothyroidism, making their bodies not produce enough thyroid hormone. Treatment includes replacement hormone pills. Signs include:
- Dry skin and coat
- Hair loss
- Other skin diseases
- Weight gain
- Fearfulness
- Aggression
- Behavioral changes
Separation anxiety. Border collies can become bored or anxious if you leave them alone for too long. Getting them on a scheduled routine with plenty to keep them occupied can help ease their anxiety.
Cancer. This is a leading cause of death in older dogs. Because border collies have longer lifespans, they’re more prone to different types of cancer as they age. Early detection, though, allows vets to treat cancer with surgery or chemotherapy.
Overheating disorder. Some border collies don’t have a proper internal cooling system and can overheat easier. This can lead to heatstroke, muscle rigidity, and organ damage as the result of a condition called malignant hyperthermia.
Special Considerations for Border Collies
Border collies are wonderful dogs, but they have some traits you should consider before adding them to your family.
Border collies need a lot of activity and mental stimulation. Without it, they could start becoming destructive in their boredom. They’re also prone to separation anxiety, so they don’t work well in homes where they’re left alone for the majority of the day. They need a lot of attention from their family.
If irritated, they can be snippy toward children. They may also try to herd children or smaller pets as part of their instinctual drive.
Border collies can also bark frequently. Though they’re not as loud as huskies, they vocalize their feelings. Some border collies may be louder than others. Barking may be tied to how worn out they are or how bored they are each day.
Since border collies are so intelligent, they can easily be trained with experienced owners. If this is your first dog, you may want to visit a trainer to help you establish the basics with your dog. Training sessions could be really fun, and learning new commands to teach your dog will keep them engaged. Training classes are a great way to earn advanced commands for you and your border collie.
These classes are also a great time to socialize with your dog. Socialization at a young age helps make them well-behaved, confident dogs. If, on the other hand, they’re not appropriately socialized, they can become aggressive with other dogs and children.
If your border collie is properly socialized and trained out of their herding instinct, they won’t be a problem around small children. However, if they’re not, they may bump your child to try to herd them, knocking them over. Border collies are great for adult households or ones with teens.
Supervising your border collie around children and other pets helps keep both safe and protected. Border collies typically prefer human company over other dogs. Still, if your border collie grows up with another dog, they’ll likely get along well.
Border Collie History
Border collies have a long, rich history. The breed can be traced back to the Roman Empire. When herding dogs that Romans brought to Britain were introduced to Viking herding dogs, the border collie was produced as a result of their breeding.
Border collies were a cross between old Roman dogs and Viking spitzes. Their combination created a smaller, agile herding dog that worked well in the rocky highlands of Scotland and Wales.
Border collies have been given the title of the world’s greatest herders because of their stealth, creeping, and sweeping runs to guide livestock. Their explosive bursts of focused energy helped them become great shepherding dogs. They often make the top lists of the world’s smartest dog breeds. They joined the AKC Herding Group in 1995.
Queen Victoria loved border collies. By 1860, she became an active border collie enthusiast. Border collies and modern collies were also starting to be distinguished by that point.
One famous border collie was featured in a Scottish poem. Poet Robert Burns wrote about the special bond between a border collie and man after losing his beloved dog Luath.
Border collies have a long world history, but they’ve proven time and time again that they’re great working dogs and wonderful companions. A border collie will be a good dog for you if you enjoy an active lifestyle.
