How to Select a Border Collie

Border collies originally came from the border of England and Scotland, as early as the 16th century. Other names for the border collie are the working collie, the farm collie, the English collie and the old-fashioned collie. Collies are typically black and white, very intelligent and full of energy. Because of their high level of activity, border collies aren't for everyone. They require much more time and patience than other breeds when training.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Consider a border collie if you are looking for an active dog, and you know you will have the time to exercise and train it. Border collies make excellent companions for runners and hikers, as they rarely tire.

2. Take into consideration a border collie's features. A well-bred border collie will have oval, dark brown eyes, a slightly raised tail, ears that are slightly perked, a coat that does not have white as its main color, and short hair around its face, ears and front legs.

3. Reconsider getting a border collie if you have children in the house. Because they were bred to herd livestock, these dogs have a tendency to nip at the heels of people and other animals. However, if a dog is socialized early on, there shouldn't be a problem.

4. Note that you will have to give your border collie obedience training very early on. Because of their high level of intelligence, these dogs can get into a lot of trouble if they are bored and untrained.

5. Keep in mind that border collies are not watchdogs. They are herders. But they will usually bark when they hear noises, and they are protective.

6. Think about purchasing a border collie from a pet rescue organization only after you have thoroughly checked the dog for behavioral problems. Most collies from pet shelters have only been partially trained and require diligent training.

7. Expect a full-grown border collie to weigh between 30 and 50 pounds. Border collies mature rather slowly, taking two to three years to reach full maturity. Their life expectancy is 12 to 13 years.

8. Understand the health problems common to the border collie before your purchase. They are prone to hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint); progressive retinal atrophy (progressive damage to the retina); collie eye anomaly, which can cause blindness; osteochondritis desicans, which can cause lameness; and other diseases. Be sure to check whether potential breeders screen for these health problems before they breed.

9. Know that you will probably pay between $300 and $1,500 for a purebred puppy.

Tips & Warnings

• Border collies love to play fetch with a ball or a flying disc, and they will chase just about anything. They also enjoy swimming, and they get along well with other pets.
• Contact the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals to learn more about hip dysplasia in border collies.
• Avoid buying a border collie from a pet store. Store prices are often high, and the dogs may have been bred without any screening for health problems.
• Border collies can exhibit strange behaviors, such as chasing water and shadows.
• The border collie is sometimes referred to as hyper, as it doesn't always slow down inside the house or after it has exercised.
• A backyard fence isn't enough to keep a border collie in. This breed can easily clear 6-foot fences, and if she can't clear the fence, she will try to dig under it. They can also open doors.

[rackingj]

on 12/8/2008 Border Collies appear neurotic because they are so high strung. They find a job if you don't give them one and their choice is often destructive. Ours herds the horses from the outside of the fence so she thinks she really working when the horses are just ignoring her. They have one master and are very head strong. Ours went to training three times and still only follows commands at her will, not ours. She is, however, so very lovable and unique and we wouldn't take anything for her.

[southernlady]

on 8/17/2008 This is SUCH an informative article. Most people don't realize that owning a border collie is a lot of work...but at the same time SO rewarding. We had a border collie named Shep and it was the smartest animal I have ever owned.
These dogs are so special, lovable and intelligent, it's hard to believe they are turned over to shelters more than most other breeds of dogs.

on 11/22/2005 Borders of all ages are very sensitive to loud noises and movement. The scariest thing "alive" (and to a border it is) will likely be the vacuum. It will send most any border into pure panic if not counselling for life if not introduced to the vacuum carefully. Avoid starting any vacuum in the same room the border.

Because it is a herder, the border puppy will likely try to herd you first....don't let it...ever! The pup has to understand that people are not to be herded "period" It's dangerous, particularly when they try to do it as you are going down a flight of stairs.

Despite their fear of the unknown, borders are curious about everything and will explore everything till they are sure what it is and what it does. They will smell it first, then probably taste it...just pray it doesn't run because the border will follow it.

They are, in my opinion great watch dogs if they actually learn to bark. Their hearing is extremely discriminating and they can actually differentiate between unknown vehicles and those you teach them are okay. A measure of how fast a learner it is.

On this note, a lot of borders don't like to bark. This is a problem during house training at times as the dog will just sit at the door to go out and leave you oblvious to a swelling bladder. A trick is to tie a bell on a string to the door handle. They will learn to ring the bell on their own and save you the worry or making it in time.

A border picks one master. Hopefully the one they pick in your house is the one that is most consistant with rules. Border's will always defer to the master for the final ruling in cases where they have crossed the line. A master that is inconsistant on the rules means that no rules apply and your border rules the house...not a good idea. .

on 11/22/2005 A well bred Border Collie does not look a certain way! Border Collies were bred for their herding ability, not their looks! A well bred Border Collie may have prick ears, tipped ears, or floppy ears, or even combination ears. A well bred Border Collie may have brown or green or blue eyes, or combination eyes. A well bred Border Collie may have a smooth coat or a rough coat, may be black and white, or tri-colored, a merle, or red and white!

Border Collies that are bred for looks may look like a Border Collie, but not act like one. Why? Because it's their herding instincts that make a Border Collie what they are! That's what makes them so intelligent! That's what makes them so biddable.

Please don't buy into the conformation standard for Border Collies. What makes them so special and different is their brain, not their looks. Breed for looks and all you'll get is a dog that looks like a Border Collie.

on 11/22/2005 Border collies are the brightest breed. If they do something once it is a learned behavior. Our border collie responds to work, not to praise. Without a herd, her goal is to retrieve anything we will throw - golf or tennis balls, Frisbees, etc.