Dog Breeds: The Border Collie

Border Collie
www.petfleas.co.uk

What is a Border Collie?
The Border Collie is one of the smartest
dogs in the world, a clever breed that is
very acrobatic, energetic, athletic and
smart. They were originally bred as sheep
herding dogs in the Anglo-Scottish border
region where intelligence and obedience
were chosen as breeding traits. They
compete with a lot of success in sheepdog
trials and they are able to learn many
different complicated tricks.
These dogs are often employed
throughout the world in their traditional
work of herding livestock, but they are also
kept as companions and family dogs.
They are a medium sized dog with a thick
coat which sheds a lot. They are commonly
black and white, but they can be seen in
many other colours and patterns including
red, tan and white. Their eyes are brown
and blue and the ears can depend on the
dog – some are fully dropped, some are
fully erect and some are semi-erect. These
dogs respond well to training and they
make great family pets.
History of the Breed
The collie originated in Northumberland
along the borders with England and
Scotland. They are descended from dogs
that were used by the Vikings to herd
reindeer. They are the perfect farm dog,
as they are bred to love work and have
plenty of energy. They are one of the
most trainable breeds, so they have also
been used as bomb and drug sniffing dogs
as well as guide dogs for the blind. The
Border Collie was first recognised by the
AKC in 1995.
Personality
The Border Collie is a very energetic and
active dog and they will require daily
exercise as well as plenty of mental
stimulation. They will not fare well with
being left alone all day – they need to be in
a household where they will get walks
every day and someone to play with them
and train them.
This type of dog can be trained to a very
high degree and is capable of learning a lot
of complex tricks. They thrive on praise and
they will work hard to please you. They
excel in agility training, sports, frisbee,
obedience and sheepdog trials. These
competitions are exciting for them and
with the right praise and encouragement
they will try hard to compete against other
dogs.
Sometimes border collies do not get along
with smaller non-canine pets although
there are plenty of border collies that live
happily with family cats.
Common Health Issues
Border collies have their own typical health
problems that they are likely to be
susceptible to, so make sure that you are
aware of these problems. If you spot the
symptoms early and take your dog to the
vet straight away they will have a much
better chance of recovery. Some of the
typical diseases that Border Collies are
genetically predisposed to are collie eye
anomaly, hip dysplasia and epilepsy. Collie
eye anomaly is a congenital eye disease
that involves the sclera, choroid and retina,
although it is not a very serious disease and
it is not likely to impair vision.
www.petfleas.co.uk

Collies can also be subject to hearing loss.
The first type can appear in puppies and
the second type is known as adult onset
hearing loss.
One of the most serious diseases that
affect border collies is Neuronal ceroid
lipofuscinosis, which is rare but can be
fatal. Dogs that are afflicted with it rarely
survive beyond two years old. There is no
treatment for this disease unfortunately,
but there is a DNA test available to detect
a carrier of the disease.
Grooming
A Border Collie has two main types of coats
– either coarse and long or sleek and short.
If you have a collie with coarse and long
hair, you will need to give them regular
brushing in order to prevent hair matting –
without brushing their hair will become
tangled and this will lead to other
problems. However, don’t shampoo their
hair too much as this can cause the coat to
become brittle and dry and their hair to
lose its natural oils.
For all collies you should spend at least 10
minutes three times per week brushing
their coat. If you find that the coat has
become matted and you cannot untangle
it, you can carefully cut out the affected
areas with scissors. Mattes will usually
form under the limbs and behind the ears.
It is also important to keep your dog’s nails
trimmed too. Ask your vet about
purchasing a nail clipper that is especially
designed for dogs or take them to a
specialised groomers. When you trim your
dog’s nails, be careful not to trim too
much!
If you trim past the point where the colour
changes from white to pink, you may cut
into a vein and cause your dog to bleed.
More Tips for Owning a Border
Collie Dog
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind
if you are considering adopting a Border
Collie Dog:
This breed can sometimes be sensitive, so
when you choose a border collie they
should be very well socialised as a puppy in
order to prevent shyness later on in life.
You will need to establish yourself as the
alpha dog from a very early age, as the
Border Collie will often challenge their
owners authority.
This is not the ideal breed for you if you
don’t intend on spending much time with
your dog, as Border Collies are too
energetic and intelligent to lie around the
house with nothing to do. When they are
not challenged and exercised daily, they
will become destructive.
Consider taking your collie to an obedience
class or teach them a few tricks at home.
The dog will thrive on the mental challenge
and the attention.
These are a few important tips that you
should know if you are considering
adopting a Border Collie, so that you and
your canine friend can live happily ever
after. This intelligent and energetic dog will
make for a great pet and will provide you
with many years of loving companionship.
www.petfleas.co.uk

www.petfleas.co.uk
Beeston Animal Health Ltd.,
Whitchurch Road,
Beeston Castle,
Tarporley,
Cheshire,
CW6 9NJ