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Border-Collie

Meet Border Collie

Have you ever had a very intelligent animal as a pet? If you haven’t, then you are in for a treat with this dog breed.

About Border Collie

They are the kind of pets that will teach themselves how to open your door or your gate. They are very smart and easy to train and what more could you want out of a four-legged companion?

History

This dog breed dates back to the 19th century where it was used as a shepherding dog in the border country between England and Scotland. They are the descendants of the Old hemp which was known to be the best shepherding dog. The border collie did prove himself to the amazement of a lot of people. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995.

Temperament

The border collie is one of the most intelligent dog breeds you have ever come across. They crave mental stimulation and are always ready for the next task. You would need to keep them occupied and adequately exercised to get the best from them. 

They could turn out to be self-destructive where they are not getting enough exercise or stimulation. It is a dog that was made to run for hours on end while herding so you’d need to replace that need with exercise. They are also very sensitive animals and can detect when their owner is not happy or when they are sad. 

Environment

The border collie is a terrific family dog. If they’re trained right from a very young age, they could be very friendly and sensitive too. They learn very quickly and you would struggle to keep up so they need an environment where they can use their basic skills. 

They also need yards where they can run and play. It is the lack of all these that makes them misbehave and start chasing cars. They also need mental exercise. So, you would need to teach them tricks and occasional training too. 

Exercise

Border collies require an enormous amount of exercise daily. Seeing that they were herding dogs, they need to keep up that same amount of energy exertion. On average, they would need about 45 minutes of exercise daily. It would be better to run them out but you’d need to be careful not to over-exercise them in their puppy years else you’d have to keep up when they’re much older.

Grooming

Collies are dogs with both rough and smooth coats. They go through the usual shedding in season and would need adequate grooming. Brush their coat 2 or 3 times weekly. You should bathe them as necessary seeing they are more of the outdoor dogs. 

Brush their teeth regularly to avoid a buildup of bacteria. Trim their nails too if the regular exercises do not get to the nails. This dog breed is more susceptible to infections seeing they are most comfortable outside or running with other dogs. 

Be sure to make regular checkup appointments so as to keep them in good health. They, however, do not require a lot of grooming.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Border Collie

Do other dogs get along with Border Collies?

That depends on the breed the dog is. A dog with a similar nature would appeal to a border collie as he would need buddies to run around and play with.

Yes, they are. They have the ability to see things move even if it is slightly. They are always alert and this is one of their best qualities.

The border collie was originally a herding dog. They feel safer when they’re in a pack so they would follow you around. So, you could say it’s instinct. They could also do this if they’re bored.

Under normal circumstances and proper training, no. They are not cut out to be aggressive although there could be a number of reasons why they’re showing aggression. Usually, you’d see the signs at a young age.

Since a border collie is a very energetic breed, they do need quite a lot of exercise. Focus more on anything that can stimulate them physically and mentally. 30 to 45 minutes a day should be ideal.

Usually, the stare was used to control a flock of sheep. They were used to directing them with a stare or a gesture. When he stares, he’s just acting on instinct.

Border collies are susceptible to hip dysplasia which may cause lameness or arthritis. They are also prone to progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy and collie eye anomaly.

Since they are very sensitive, they could be very clingy and hug you at the slightest provocation.

The male dogs could weigh 35 to 45 pounds while the females could weigh between 30 to 40 pounds.

This would naturally depend on the size and age of your dog. But since they’re always on the move, you would need to feed them properly. You could split their meals in two rather than feeding them multiple times.

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