The Border Collie really is a great dog: active, smart and easy to train. No wonder so many people fall in love with this breed! But let's be honest, a Border Collie is not for everyone. In fact, their sensitive nature and unbridled energy can cause problems if you don't know how to handle them. You really need a sporty and stable owner who enjoys working with them and already has some dog experience.
What makes the Border Collie so special?
These dogs originally come from the border region between Scotland and northern England. The first Border Collies, as we know them today, were around at the end of the 19th century. Originally bred to herd sheep, they are still real working dogs. You recognise them immediately by their distinctive 'eye': that intense stare with their head low to the ground when herding cattle.
Border Collies are super active and intelligent. Not only do they need lots of exercise, but also mental challenges. They belong to breed group 1, the herding dogs and drovers. And the best part? They can live to be twelve to fourteen years old on average, so you'll enjoy your faithful buddy for a long time.
So, are you that active, experienced dog lover ready for a challenge? Then a Border Collie might be perfect for you!
Appearance of the Border Collie
Imagine an athletic dog with a short or semi-long coat. That is the Border Collie. Most are black and white, but they come in all sorts of colours. Think black, brown, blue, red with white, tricoloured, or even blue merle (black spots on a grey-blue background).
Their ears? Those can be upright or slightly droopy. And their tail? That hangs low when relaxed, with a slight curl at the end. Male Border Collies are about 53 centimetres high at the shoulders; females are slightly smaller.
Want to see the full breed standard? Then check the breed associations' websites. Those have all the details. But a tip: this standard can vary from country to country.
The Character of the Border Collie
Border Collies are bursting with energy and are always alert. They are real herding dogs with a strong urge to work and move. They are super smart. But don't you give them enough to do? Then they will start looking for something themselves, such as 'herding' other pets, passers-by, or even cars. And the latter can be dangerous.
If you raise them well, Border Collies are usually friendly and very obedient. They quickly pick up on your mood and can be quite sensitive to stern words. They love attention and cuddles, and often bond strongly with one person.
Are they suitable for families with small children? Not always. They may try to 'drive' the children, especially if they cannot expend their energy in any other way. Border Collies need an active, athletic owner who enjoys working and training with them. They need to be challenged not only physically, but also mentally. So just a house dog? That's nothing for them. They want to work together with their owner, for example in a dog sport.
Health and behaviour
Sometimes you see Border Collies that are nervous or anxious, and this can lead to aggression out of fear. Good breeding practices, proper socialisation and careful upbringing can often prevent this. It is therefore important to get a puppy from a reliable breeder.
Care
Taking care of a Border Collie? Don't worry, it's not that bad! Their coat doesn't need much attention, but you should brush it regularly. Especially the longer spots like at the ears, armpits, hind legs and tail deserve some extra attention to avoid tangles.
And those ears? Check those from time to time. Use a cotton pad (not a cotton ball because of loose lint) to clean the auricle, but do not go into the ear with cotton balls or cotton swabs. Consult with your vet before using an ear cleaner. If there is excess hair at the entrance to the ear canal, cut it short to allow air to enter. Do not pull hair out of the ear canal, this can lead to damage and inflammation. With a lot of hair in the ear? Ask your vet for advice. Stinky ears or lots of shaking and scratching? Time for a visit to the vet!
Exercise and activities
Border Collies are energy bombs. Two hours a day of exercise is a must for a healthy adult dog. But just walking or throwing balls? That's not enough for these clever rascals. They want to use their brains! Training, tracking games and exercises in the house are perfect to keep them busy and prevent problem behaviour.
Border Collies are born for action, so dog sports like flyball, agility and doggy dance are really their thing. And obedience training? They can do that like the best of them, as long as it is varied. Sheep herding is in their blood. Several organisations in the Netherlands offer sheep herding courses. Do not start too early; the first exercises can be done when your dog is between seven months and a year old. Do introduce your dog to sheep early, but always under the supervision of a professional. And make sure your dog knows the basic commands.
Socialisation and upbringing
Border Collies, like all dogs, need to be well socialised. Because they are so sensitive, they can become anxious if they don't get used to all kinds of new things at a young age. The breeder should already make a start with this, but you should keep doing this until your Border Collie is mentally mature.
In terms of parenting, it is important that your dog learns to take rest. Border Collies tend to go on and on, so you sometimes have to force your pup to chill out. A crate or run can help with this. It gives your dog a place of his own where he won't be disturbed.
Border Collies respond strongly to your voice, so punishing them too harshly or continuing to punish them for too long will only make them anxious. Reward good behaviour immediately. And remember to keep your Border Collie's herding and chasing instincts in check. Teach your pup from an early age what it is and is not allowed to chase.
Some Border Collies are tricky eaters. Keep a fixed feeding schedule and provide more rest when necessary.
In obedience training, it is important to alternate exercises. Border Collies are super smart and get bored quickly. Be consistent and remember that a smart dog also picks up undesirable behaviour at lightning speed!
Required experience
Border Collies are less suitable for people without dog experience due to their enormous energy, fast learning ability and sensitive nature. They need a lot of energy and time and are not suitable as just a companion dog. Make sure you inform yourself well before getting a Border Collie, for example through breed associations.
We have come to the end of this article. We hope we have helped you. If you have any comments or questions about this article, we would love to hear from you!
