All about Border Collies!
Border Collies are a wonderful Breed. They are remarkably bright and often
considered the workaholics of the canine kingdom.
These dogs can be a handful for
owners as they are smart and athletic, But their wiry medium-sized build makes
them suited to all kinds of households. What's more, the trainability of Border Collies
is pretty much unmatched. Whether it's herding Livestock as working dogs or speeding their
way through competitive agility courses, These dogs will excel in every regard. Now let's look at everything you need to know About this breed!
Number 1: Their Origin:
Although they are recognized today as British
dogs, the border collie's history actually Begins with the ancient Roman Empire. In 43 AD, the current emperor Claudius Managed to lead the first successful conquest
of the unruly British isles and as the Romans Began to settle in, so did their dogs. These tough, obedient Roman herding dogs Were widely utilized for centuries to come. Yet
after the slow dissolution of the Roman Empire, Fierce Viking raiders from Scandinavia took their
turn invading Britain in 793 with the intention Of settling in softer lands. They crossed
the great North sea and, like the Romans, Also brought along their herding dogs with them,
a smaller spitz-type breed. The Vikings' dogs were Quicker and more agile so it didn't take long for
breeders to combine these two herding breeds. This resulted in a smaller and faster herding dog
that was well-equipped to work with livestock in The hills of northern England and the rocky
highlands of Scotland and Wales. Moreover, The word Collie is actually the Scottish word
for sheepdog while the border part of their Name came from its popularity as a sheepherding
dog on the border between Scotland and England.
Yet it was in 1906 that border collies were
officially recognized as a distinct breed, And by 1995 they joined the AKC Herding Group.
Interestingly, unlike typical breed standards, The traits looked for in these dogs are focused
almost entirely on working ability rather than Physical characteristics. Modern borders are still
considered the premier herding dogs of the world. They have also dominated competitive sheepdog
trials in the UK for over a hundred years. They even rule the championship levels of all
fast-paced agility sports and are seen in the Top lists of the world's smartest dog breeds.
Lastly, with their sweeping outruns, Stealthy crouching and creeping, and explosive
bursts of focused energy, Border Collies are Any shepherds' dream of the perfect dog, and given
their history, it's easy to see why. Number 2: Their Personality: Border collies are known to be one of the world's Most intelligent dogs, and they are full of energy
along with a strong desire to herd anything around Them. They are typically very affectionate and
submissive to their owners and friends but can Be pretty nervous or dismissive of strangers. Because they are so smart and energetic,
Owning a border collie is sort of like living
with a Mensa student on methamphetamines. They Need to be mentally and physically stimulated,
and without proper exercise, the dog will likely Become frustrated and start acting out.
As with any breed, it's imperative to Socialize and train them properly from a
young age so they are comfortable around new People and in a range of situations. Generally, though, border collies are Just playful and sweet dogs that will be
enthusiastic about joining you in anything You are up to!
Number 3: Their Appearance:
As we mentioned earlier, Border collies
were bred to work, and their appearance Fits the bill well. This medium-sized breed
has a strong, agile body on a lean frame, Typically weighing around 45 pounds.
They tend to have one of two coat types: A smooth short and coarse coat or a
rough, medium-length and feathered coat.
Both of these types are double-layered to protect
them against harsh weather. They also come in Various colors and patterns, with black-and-white
or a tricolor pattern of black, white, And tan being most commonly seen. Yet Border
collies can also be merle or brindle in pattern, Making them look very similar to the Australian
shepherd, though these are less common. The reason for this variety is that the
Border collie breed standard accounts for Physical function over aesthetic form. However, they always seem to look alert, With their ears perched high atop their
heads and usually partially folded over At the tip. Their tails are also long and bushy.
One of the collie's most notable features is its Eyes. They are oval in shape and come in brown
or light blue shades. They have an intense gaze That is more than just good looks—their keen
vision helps them when working in the field, And Border collies are known to stare intently
into an animal's eyes, seemingly using Jedi-style mind tricks to control the flock.
All in all, they're a well-balanced and undeniably Pretty breed everyone wants to pet! —
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Number 4: Their Trainability
Today, border collies are most well known
for their ability to take subtle directions In both work and canine sports. This breed
is eager and quick to learn, making them One of the most trainable dogs in the world. However, it is worth noting that despite their Interest in learning new tricks and commands,
border collies are strong-willed and independent Dogs. That means it takes patience and dedication
from the owner to get the best out of them. With these intelligent and active
dogs, you will need to begin a teaching Relationship as soon as you get them. This breed picks up things quickly,
So the sooner you decide what they learn, the
better. If you don't instruct them, they'll Instead develop their own games and undesirable
habits, making things harder in the long run.
For Border Collies, plenty of exercise and
lots of mental stimulation are crucial to Curbing unwanted behaviors. A well-adjusted
border collie can even make an excellent Friend for kids and other pets. The most important thing to remember When training border collies is that
they are herding dogs by nature and so Need to be taught in a way that plays to their
strengths. If you do this, you'll have one of The smartest and most obedient dogs in the world
ready to perform your every command. Number 5: The Time Investment needed:-
Right away, we want to let you know that Border collies can be quite the handful for
inexperienced owners or those with busy work and Social lives. This breed needs mental stimulation
and at least an hour of strenuous daily exercise, And they won't be happy cooped up inside. They might even protest by removing the Stuffing from your pillows if they get
bored. This means you will need to do Things like take herding or agility classes
with the dog. It's really what they were Made for, and they need that fulfillment,
exercise, and psychological stimulation.
What's more, border collies require
affection and companionship, so they Shouldn't be left alone for long periods. You will find that they are more than eager To run alongside you while you bike or go
on long hikes and will be content to curl Up on the couch after a long day. When it comes to general maintenance, Things aren't too bad. Their double coat is pretty Good at self-cleaning, so fewer full baths are
needed, and a weekly brush should be sufficient.
This is also a good time to check their ears
for foreign objects and their skin for ticks, Especially if you and your dog spend a lot of time
outdoors or have recently been in tall grasses.
At the end of the day, these dogs have been bred
as working companions, so they will always be A big part of your life; if you can't commit to
helping fulfill their needs, then a Border Collie Is not the dog for you. Number 6: The costs of ownership
Border Collie puppies can be pretty expensive
depending on different factors. You can expect To pay about $600 or more for Border Collie
intended as a pet with complete documents.
For a premium puppy with papers,
breeding rights, and superior lineage, Prepare a budget of $1,300 to $4,500. Additionally, working Border Collies that Are mature and already have some training can
cost as much as $7,500. This is reasonable, Considering the time and effort needed
to ensure the dog is up for the task. However, adopting or rescuing dogs is
much cheaper, with prices of around $300, Including the care and training of the dog before
you adopt it. If you bought a Border Collie puppy
Or dog without any training, enrolling them
in obedience classes is a must. These range From $120 to $165 per session, with one-on-one
training costing as much as $80 per hour. When it comes to miscellaneous costs, you
can buy your Border Collie a few puzzles and Toys for brain stimulation, keeping them busy
while indoors and away from getting bored. You also should base the amount of food you
give a Border collie on factors such as age, Size, metabolism, and level of activity
rather than just what's on the packet. The Best way to know how much to feed your dog
is by measuring their meals by calories. High-grade kibble for herding and sporting
dogs can often cost more than $70, So nutrition is certainly a big factor in price.
You can also bring them to the groomer every few Months for about $50 or save some cash
and do essential grooming yourself. Aside from that, the average monthly
cost works out to about $160. If they're working dogs, you will more than get
your money back in time saved moving livestock, But as pets, they can be a bit of a financial
burden, though no more than any other Well-trained pedigree dog. So what do you think of Border Collies so Far? Stay tuned for more and let
us know in the comments or share Your thoughts with other enthusiasts!
If you are interested in other dog breeds, Check out some of our playlists and discover
even more information about dogs!
Number 7: Their Health:-
The border collie is usually deemed To be a naturally healthy breed with a 12–16
year lifespan. But like all pedigree breeds, the Border collie is also prone to certain diseases. The official breed club: The Border Collie Society Of America, firmly advises that all breeders test
for hip dysplasia and complete a comprehensive eye Exam. They also recommend further testing
for progressive retinal atrophy, deafness, Epilepsy, and certain other collie eye anomalies
such as CEA and trapped neutrophil syndrome. Thankfully most border collies will never
encounter these serious health issues, But it's always important to be aware
of these health concerns and know what Signs to look out for.
Number 8: The Best Home for them:
As we have learned throughout this video,
Border Collies are incredibly intelligent And energetic dogs, so they'll be happiest
on a farm or ranch, where there is plenty Of room for them to run all day and can even
be put to task. That said, border collies can Adapt fairly well to city living so long as they
have an active owner that's willing to put in the Time to exercise them and keep them mentally
stimulated with games and obedience training.
Obviously, this prized herding breed is most
content when they're working, but they also make For fantastic and affectionate family pets too. So if you live on a farm, need a running buddy, Or want to get into agility training dogs,
the Border Collie is a brilliant choice.
