Border Collie – Dog Breed of The Week
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of watching a Border Collie herd sheep, you know you’re watching a master craftsman at work, with his intense stare as he approaches the sheep, his almost intuitive response to the shepherd’s command, and the skillful manner in which he maneuvers the sheep exactly where the shepherd wants them to go. It is awe-inspiring.
The Border Collie, a medium-sized dog at 30 to 45 pounds, possesses a seemingly supernatural amount of energy and stamina — a hardiness that was developed when he was required to work all day in the hills and valleys of the rugged Scottish border country, sometimes running 50 miles or more a day. When it comes to the ideal working dog, it doesn’t get much better than the Border Collie.
If there is a dark side to the Border Collie’s energy and workaholic attitude, it comes out when he’s brought into a family that doesn’t understand him. He is not a cuddly, couch-potato dog. He doesn’t want to be coddled. He wants — and needs — a job. Keeping up with the Border Collie’s intense mental and physical stamina is exhausting, even exasperating, to an owner or family that wants a laid-back family pet.
Vital Stats:
Dog Breed Group:Herding Dogs
Height:1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight:30 to 45 pounds
Life Span:12 to 15 years
- The Border Collie is highly sensitive, often responsive to the subtlest command and seemingly able to predict his owner’s desires in advance.
- A workaholic who thrives on mental and physical stimulation, the Border Collie must have a positive way to direct his energy. Otherwise he’ll invent his own games — and he can become a problem to live with.
- The Border Collie will herd anything that moves, including children, cars, people on bikes, cats, and squirrels. He can become a real problem if he’s allowed to roam in a neighborhood; a securely fenced yard is essential.
- The noisy play of young children can stimulate the Border Collie’s herding instinct and cause him to nip, nudge, and bark.
- To prevent shyness, the Border Collie must be well socialized.
- The Border Collie doesn’t usually roam, but his curiosity and intelligence can lead him to become an escape artist.
- To get a healthy dog, never buy a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, puppy mill, or pet store. Look for a reputable breeder who tests her breeding dogs to make sure they’re free of genetic diseases that they might pass onto the puppies, and that they have sound temperaments.
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