sign in sign up
<<
Home , Border Collie, Collie

SCRAPS Breed Profile BORDER

Stats

Country of Origin: England Group: Herding Use today: Obedience, herding trials, herding () Life Span: 12 to 15 years Color: Most often black with white blaze on the face, neck, feet, legs, and tail tip, with or without tan points; may be any bi-color, tri-color, , or solid color except white Coat: Soft, dense, weather-resistant double coat of two types: rough (medium-to-long with flat or wavy texture) or smooth (short over the entire body). Grooming: Brush weekly or when necessary Height: 18 - 22 inches Weight: 30 - 45 pounds

Profile

In Brief: Britain's is often lightly built without a bob- considered the finest sheepherding in the tail. The body is slightly longer than the height at world, bred strictly for working ability rather than the shoulders. The ears are usually half-perked. appearance. This is a medium-sized dog, with The oval eyes are generally dark brown, except females usually averaging 30 to 45 pounds, in merles where one or more eyes may be blue. males averaging 45 to 55 pounds. Coats range The tail is never carried over the back. There are from short to medium long and are normally two varieties of Border Collie: one with coarse black and white, or red and white, sometimes hair (thick, straight, about 3 inches long), and with tan marks. Occasionally blue or red merle- one with sleek hair (about 1 inch) long. The coat colored puppies appear in litters. Weekly colors come in black and white, tri-color, red & brushing should keep the coat tangle-free. white, black & gray, and all black. White should Borders are known for using their eyes when never be the main color. The longer haired herding, controlling the sheep with an intense variety should have a mane and tail brush. The stare that shows they mean business. Border hair on the face, ears and front legs is always are high-energy , having been bred short and sleek. Because Border Collies are to cover many miles a day in their native bred for working ability and intelligence rather . Border Collies require and thrive on than for physical beauty, conformation varies activity, so be prepared to keep them occupied. widely. They are best suited to homes with yards and families that will take the time to train and work Temperament: The Border Collie is a very them. Border Collies excel in obedience, agility, intelligent and responsive dog. It excels at fly ball and, of course, herding. They're good obedience, agility and Frisbee™. They thrive on with children and make excellent watchdogs. praise, are sensitive and very trainable. The Border Collies are commonly used in agility Description: The Border Collie is a medium competitions, as sports like agility are right for sized bundle of energy, looking rather like a this intelligent dog. Provided it gets sufficient activity to keep it occupied and ample exercise, the Border Collie will get along quite happily with other dogs, and children, however the Border Collie may be aggressive with other dogs of the same sex. They should not be trusted with small to fleas and some are prone to epilepsy and non-canine , however there are plenty of deafness. Border Collies that live and get along with family cats. This breed should be very well socialized Living Conditions: The Border Collie is not as a puppy to prevent shyness. To be truly recommended for apartment life. They are very happy, it needs a lot of ongoing attention, active indoors and do best with acreage. This extensive daily exercise, and a job to do. For breed will do fine in a kennel provided he has those who wish to reach high levels in dog daily activity and sees plenty of his handler. This sports, the Border Collie is a gift from heaven. breed is not suited to life chained up in the back Farmers (for whom the dogs perform work for yard all day. which they were bred) are also happy with them. It is not surprising that at competitive levels in Exercise: Physical exercise alone is not various sports such as: agility skills, obedience, sufficient for this very intelligent and highly and sheepdog trials, the Border Collie is energetic dog. They want to work and must do represented among the leaders in the sport. so with body and mind as one, carrying out They are not ideal pets for people who plan to different tasks. Fast and agile, these lively little spend little time with them. These dogs are too dogs have boundless energy and thrive on hard intelligent to lie around the house all day with work and play. They are a delight to see nothing to do. Prospective owners who are streaking after a ball or bringing straying sheep looking for just a family should consider back to the fold. other similar but calmer breeds, like show line Australian Shepherds and Sheepdogs. They can become destructive if they get bored Origins: The Border Collie originated in or if they are ignored. They can become neurotic on the Scottish/English border. if they are left alone for long periods, leading to The breed is descended from old British droving many behavior problems. This breed is known breeds with some spaniel added. An outstanding as an escape artist. Because of his strong herder, this hardy, agile, untiring sheepdog, is herding instincts, the Border Collie may be capable of mastering any type of herd. It is said snappish with children and strangers. The that the Border Collie has an eye that can adolescent Border Collie often goes through a hypnotize . He crouches down and phase where he challenges his master's mesmerizes the animals with his intense stare. authority. Some are highly reactive and sound One of the most trainable breeds, the Border sensitive, making them a poor choice for families Collie also serves well as a narcotics and bomb with young children. detection dog and is a frequent high performer in obedience, agility, Frisbee™ trials, police work, search & rescue, Fly ball, performing tricks and Health: They are generally a hardy breed, but competitive obedience. Some Border Collies some are prone to hip dysplasia, PRA and an have been trained very successfully as blind eye disease common to Collies known as Collie guide dogs. Eye Anomaly. Many Border Collies are allergic

Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service 6815 E. Trent • Spokane Valley • Washington • 99212 (509) 477-2532 voice (509) 477-4745 fax www.spokanecounty.org/animal