Border Collie

About the Breed

The Border Collie is a loyal and active breed, originally developed in the Scottish borderlands to herd livestock. It is one of the most intelligent and trainable dog breeds. This highly energetic breed requires plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and content. Temperament The Border Collie is an eager-to-please breed that loves to play, learn, and work. They thrive with positive reinforcement training methods that reward their hard work, rather than negative ones like scolding or punishment. They have an innate herding instinct, which can be seen in their tendency to nip at peoples heels when theyre excited or anxious. With proper training they can learn to control this instinct. Ideal Owners This high energy breed is ideal for families who have active lifestyles or those willing to make time for playing with their pup each day. Their intelligence means they require a lot of mental stimulation that comes in the form of interactive games such as puzzles or agility courses. They are very loyal companions who will bond quickly with their owners and may become overly attached if not socialized appropriately from a young age with other people and dogs. History The Border Collie was originally bred in the Scottish borderlands by shepherds looking for a reliable working dog with strong herding instincts and keen intelligence. The first recorded mention of the breed was in 1873 when it was entered into Britain's Kennel Club registry as "the sheepdog." The popularity of the breed began to grow throughout Europe before eventually making its way across the Atlantic ocean where it gained widespread recognition as a beloved companion pet today. Healthy Weight The average Border Collie stands between 18-22 inches tall at the shoulder when full grown, weighing between 30-45 pounds depending on gender and diet habits. This medium sized dog should maintain a healthy weight throughout its lifetime since being overweight can cause joint problems later down the line due its already active lifestyle requirements. Important Health Checks Eye exams are important for early detection of any eye diseases common among this breed such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) which leads to blindness over time if left untreated. It is also important for owners to check their pups ears regularly since ear infections are fairly common among collies due their long fur on top. Lastly it is important for any dog owner regardless of breed, but especially so with collies,to maintain regular vaccinations against common illnesses like parvovirus, distemper, rabies, etc., as well as flea prevention treatments at least once every 3 months. The Border Collie is an incredibly intelligent, loyal, and energetic dog that loves working alongside its owners while playing games or engaging in activities such as agility courses or herding livestock; making them ideal companions for those looking for an active pet that fits into busy lifestyles while providing plenty of entertainment through fun activities together during leisure time. However due its high energy levels it requires plenty of exercise on top of regular health checks such us eye exams, ear cleaning sessions,and up-to-date vaccinations against illnesses.

Healthy weight:

20-27 kg (44-60 lbs)

Recommended Food

Large breed dog food such as Royal Canin Golden Retriever or Hills Science Diet

Breed Colors

  • Black and White
  • Sable and White
  • Red Merle
  • Red and White
  • Blue Merle
  • Lilac Merle
  • Chocolate Merle
  • Tri-color

Ideal for owners that

  • Dedicated
  • Active
  • Patient
  • Loving
  • Loyal
  • Consistent
  • Responsive
  • Alert
  • Smart

Health Considerations

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Problems
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Epilepsy
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This breed may be cute, but these are some of their common health issues to be aware of.

Temperment & Skills

LoyalIntelligentEnergeticKindAlertTrainable

bordercollie's on Fetch Fido