Dog's Help

Border Collies are herding dogs first bred in Britain. They are considered to be among the most intelligent of dog breeds and are still widely used on farms all over the world. Now popular as pet dogs, Border Collies are highly protective of their family and very loving too.

Height:
19 – 22 inches (48 – 56 cm) males
18 – 21 inches (46 – 53 cm) females

Weight:
30 – 45 pounds (14 – 20 kg) males
27 – 42 pounds (12 – 19 kg) females

Litter: 4 – 8 puppies

Lifespan: 12 – 15 years

Coat:

Border Collies are double coated. There are two varieties of coat: one with coarse, thick and straight hair about 3 inches long, and the other with slick hair about 1 inch long. They come in various colors, most commonly in black tricolor (black, tan, white), red and white, red tricolor (red, tan, white) and other colors like blue and lilac.

Temperament:

Border Collies instinctively work closely with their master. Although quite excitable they behave themselves well. They have the speed and agility to participate in dog sports. They are energetic and love the outdoors. They have great stamina that lasts for hours together.

With understanding and dedicated owners, Border Collies can become good indoor companions too. Care should be taken to give them adequate physical and mental stimulation. They tend to chase moving objects and people and need to be trained to stay calm. It’s not a good idea to own Border Collies if there are little children in the house. A firm hand is needed to train them, else they will dominate.

Border Collies are intelligent and responsive to training. They are good at mental games and love to be kept busy. If not given enough work they become fidgety and sometimes destructive.

They have natural herding instincts and do a great job for farmers in herding all kinds of animals.

Activity:

Border Collies are highly active and need lots of exercise. Apart from long walks and jogs, they need mentally simulating games and sports. They like a job that keeps them busy all day. Their herding instincts need to be satisfied and are best kept at farms. Apartments don’t suit Border Collies.

Health:

Primary genetic diseases are Hip dysplasia, Collie eye anomaly (CEA), and epilepsy. A DNA test can be done to ensure that puppies are free of CEA. Other diseases Border Collies are prone to are elbow dysplasia, deafness, and hypothyroidism.

Grooming:

Brushing and combing needs to be done regularly to keep the coat healthy and shining. A rake may be required to clear out mats. The soft and dense undercoat requires special care especially during shedding. Bathing or dry shampooing should be done only occasionally. The ears and coat are prone to ticks and need to be removed from time to time. Border Collies are average shedders.