Originally brought to Scotland by Viking
invaders, the first Border Collies were reindeer herding dogs.
Later they were crossed with the Valee sheepdog. They are about
21 inches high at the shoulder. They weigh about 45 pounds. There
are two varieties of this dog: coarse haired and sleek haired.
Colors are black and white; black, white and tan; solid black;
gray and black; and red and white.
Border Collies love to work. They are the
world's premier sheep-working breed and are intelligent and strong.
These high-energy dogs need plenty of exercise. They are bred
for endurance. If you can't give your Border Collie plenty of
attention and the chance to work, then perhaps a different breed
of dog would be better. A bored Border Collie can become troublesome
and destructive. They will chew on anything, including furniture
and carpets. They also love to dig holes.
The herding instinct makes Border Collies
want to herd anything that moves. If not properly controlled
these dogs will nip at the heels and legs of people when they
run. They also tend to be car-chasers, and this could be a dangerous
type of behavior if allowed to continue. They are very agile
and can easily jump a 6-foot fence if they get the notion to
do so.
Border Collies thrive on attention and
are very affectionate. Border Collies are highly intelligent
and quick learners. They do not mature until around 2 or 3 years
(or older), and many older dogs are still very lively and full
of energy.
Their extreme versatility makes them excel
at many things. They make good search and rescue dogs. Some organizations
train them as signal (hearing) and assistance dogs. Police departments
in some states use them as drug detection dogs.
Border Collies average between 30 to 50
pounds. They are generally not good guard dogs although they
will be protective of their owners. They are moderate shedders.
They shed most in early spring and late fall. A ten-minute brushing
two or three times per week helps to keep their coats clean and
in nice condition.
The average lifespan of the Border Collie is probably about 12
to 13 years, and some individuals reach the ripe old age of 14
years and older.
The Border Collies shown at top include,
Border Collie Perfect Petzzz, Aussi the Border
Collie from Aurora World, a tiny little Border Collie
Magnet from Ganz, Chase the Border Collie from
Douglas and Dusty, a Puffkin made by Swibco (far
right). You can find some Border Collies in our Gift
Shop.
The
Kennel Index
