The Border Collie originated along the border between Scotland and England
for the purpose of herding sheep and cattle. They are extremely intelligent
and, in modern times, often compete in herding trials, obedience, agility,
Flyball and Frisbee competitions.
They have an exceptional athletic ability with great endurance. They are
very light on their feet. By instinct, they tend to be gatherers, not drovers.
They are especially known for being able to stare sheep into submission.
Extremely energetic dogs, they must be kept busy because they are happiest
when working. If no sheep are available to herd, they will herd whatever
they can, including their owners' children. They require patience, time
and attention from their owners.
The main emphasis in breeding the Border Collie is to produce a dog for
herding performance rather than showing. Typically the Border Collie is
a medium-sized dog that will weigh between thirty and forty-five pounds
and stand between eighteen and twenty inches tall. The coat will be about
three inches long over most of the body. Coat colors may be black, blue,
chocolate, red or merle, although the most common color is black with white
markings on chest, neck, face, and the tip of the tail. Their ears are set
along the side of the head and fold down along the head. Their eyes are
large and set wide apart. The tail is well coated and generally carried
low, although it might have an upward swirl at the tip.
hannahspanner40@hotmail.com of New Zealand writes:
Great pets.
We have had a Border Collie for a year now. We purchased hin at age
one and he was on a farm but was the household dog. They are great fun and
highly intelligent. Ours is a red and white and everyone comments on his
colouring. I would advise if you are thinking about getting a Border Collie
to have a decent-sized yard and a little bit of time to put into them. They
are great fun!
whoknows_whocares_@hotmail.com of Canada writes:
Loyal, sweet, but needs to live outside.
Right now I have a beautiful female Border Collie. She is very smart
and a great dog, but if you are thinking about getting a Border Collie then
you should have a lot of property! Border Collies need to have a lot of
backyard to run around in or they will become lazy and overweight. Also
be prepared for the hair! Border Collies shed an incredible amount all year-round,
there is no avoiding this so I would suggest that you either comb and walk
the dog daily, or train it to live outdoors. Border Collies are very compatible
to live outdoors, but train them to live outside right from the beginning,
if not they will refuse to stay out and spend the night scratching on the
door and howling! Overall Border Collies make a GREAT pet and they even
herd sheep, ducks and other various animals. (Once my Border Collie even
herded a pack of three horses.) However you must remember they are an outside
dog, and if you decide to keep them in the house be prepared to walk them
every day or you will find that your Border Collie will become overweight,
lazy, and you will have hair everywhere!
Name withheld by request of Ohio writes:
Working dogs.
Don't get a Border Collie unless you intend to use the breed to work.
They are loving and very intent on following their human's wishes p;
very anxious to please, but they have enormous amounts of energy. It is
not fair to keep them as housepets. Before deciding to get a Border Collie,
make sure that you will have the time to train the dog in herding, agility,
or some other active sports.
nikkilovesvodka@lineone.net of Surrey, England writes:
Lovely, active breed.
I recently bought a Border Collie when she was ten weeks old; she is
now seven months old. She is a lively pup who is very beautiful with a gorgeous
long black and white coat. Anybody who is lucky enough to have one will
have a lifelong pal. Border Collies are great housedogs but have to get
about two walks a day of lead running and a couple of walks. Definitely
do not get a Border Collie if you can't give it the exercise it needs. When
they are between four to sixteen months they are in their adolescence stage
and can bite and be vicious, but remember it doesn't last forever, and never
hit them for it's not their fault, they are just full of trouble! Watch
'em!
debbieashc@aol.com of West Virginia writes:
Not the type of dog for the average household.
Border Collies are hyper and want to do things their way. If you shove
her off the couch because you want to sit in her spot she'll growl at you.
She's untrainable, and won't hesitate to nip or show her teeth. Once, when
my mom tried to pull her off the couch, she bit at her. When you take her
for walks, you get walked by her, and we have a lot of Border Collies in
our neighborhood, and anytime I walk by they all start growling. Border
Collies aren't the type of dog for the average household.
pris10577@aol.com of Texas writes:
Best dog breed p; family dog among herding dog.
My husband and I have only had our Border Collie for a little over a
year, but we are so delighted with her. Before getting her, we had three
cats and a Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie). I was nervous about the herding
instinct that BCs have and was very worried that she would herd the cats
around in an aggressive manner. I was wrong. As she grew up with the cats,
and with our Sheltie, she considered them to be her family as well as us.
She is a herding dog by nature and I'm not going to lie and say she doesn't
round up the cats from time to time, especially with her sidekick Sheltie,
but they do it in such a playful manner. The cats honestly don't care, they
are so used to them.
My husband and I rescued two Maltese puppies, a brother and sister when
they were just about eight weeks old. That's right, now our family had grown
to four dogs and three cats. We were a little worried about how the Border
Collie would react to them, since she was the big girl of the family and
had been raised with the other pets. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful
she was and still is with them. She mothers them as if they were her own
pups. She watches over and protects them, plays very gently with them, nudging
them with her head and paw. They love her so much also and I do think they
believe she is their mom!
Everyday is just such a joy with her. She is smart as a whip too! When we
tell her something that she doesn't understand it's just amazing to see
the expression on her face, she tries so hard to understand what you're
saying and eager to learn new things. We bought her from some wonderful
people who lived on a ranch here in Texas. Their Border Collies were used
for working the livestock and herding. When I told the lady that we had
a Sheltie who was a housedog, she laughed and said there was no way a Border
Collie could be a housedog; she said she would have to be an outdoor dog.
We didn't listen. She is an EXCELLENT housedog. She was housebroken in no
time at all and she is so agile. We give them their play time in our big
backyard and take her and the Sheltie for walks daily. She loves her walks
and her runs that we give her. She LOVES to meet new people and new dogs!
Such a smart girl. When we take her walking, if she encounters a dog smaller
than her, she will literally crouch down on the ground as to not intimidate
it and she will start kissing and licking her new found friends.
She is our pride and joy and she is a great housedog. If you are going to
keep a BC inside, it is a necessity that they get out of the house a couple
of times a day. I could not imagine her cramped up in an apartment or something
like that. These dogs love their backyards and their neighborhood walks
and runs.
Another thing about Border Collies, they get emotional when scolded. If
she ever does something wrong, which she rarely does but more so when she
was younger p; if I scolded her, she would go off and pout, just lay
down looking as sad as she possibly could. These dogs aim to please and
if they've upset their family, there is no greater shame. So go easy on
them if they are misbehaving. Correct all problems, but keep in mind that
they are eager to please you and most of the time, never mean to do anything
that is wrong. I love all of our pets and I hate to single one out, but
she really is my pride and joy. I couldn't have a better friend and companion
than her. She knows she's loved and she gives back 1,000 percent.
kuhaylans@t-online.de of Germany writes on 11/25/00:
The best kind of dogs - in the right hands.
Border Collies are wounderful dogs, they are working dogs who also love
people, they can do agility, hearding, be pets, service dogs - but they
also can be real "problem dogs" if they are not in the
right hands. If you're not careful, you can have a walking disaster at the
other end of your lead: a dog who barks the whole day, tends your children,
eats the sofa, digs in the flower-pots, breaks out every time it cab, bite
your fingers if you want to take the ball and so on. If a Border Collie
does some of this bad habit, he wants to tell us - like a call for help
- that there is something
going much wrong. A BorderCollie is also a "head-worker", if he
has nothing to think of, he will not be really lucky. Understand me right,
please: I really love this dogs, breed this dogs and train this really wounderful
dogs, but I also ask every family who visit us and ask for a puppy: Do you
really want a BorderCollie? Are you really able to give the dogs something
to work and the love of you and your family? Please think about thiis before
getting a Border Collie and maybe make the dog and also yourself unhappy!
odet@earthlink.net of Las Vegas, NV writes on 3/15/00:
They work on humans as well as sheep.
In the hierarchy of what I treasure most, my Border Collie is subsequent
to my own two human children. His presence in my life, for personal reasons,
has been incredibly meaningful. He's a blue-collar worker who has always
given me through his work 100% of his body and soul. For over a year-and-a-half,
he has taken his work ethic to the flyball box and returned to me (his marginal
handler) with regal loyalty. I call him my "cow dog" not because
he lacks canine intelligence or fancy pedigree - but because I know he'd
risk his own life with a stampede of bulls if he thought I were in danger.
He is not a cuddler, but he watches my every move. His eyes are always at
attention. He seems to know my ups and downs by the way he approaches me.
Playful when I'm happy and gentle when I'm sad. Every morning as I leave
for work, he has never failed to sit by the window and watch me drive off.
In my rear view mirror I watch his warm farewell as well as his welcome
home when I return. My boy learns whatever I attempt to teach him with ease.
He's obedient yet quite independent. I love rubbing his tummy, throwing
him frisbees, watching him run at top speed and helping him learn expressive
tricks. Border Collies are perfect for individuals or families who lead
active lives. Given the right amount of work and activity, the Border Collie
is the utmost companion among the canine world. They are not suited left
to create something to do. Lack of stimulation makes Border Collies engage
in what we humans would call destructive behaviors. Give them and education
and they'll give your their incredibly loyal souls.
Name withheld by request of Canada writes on 12/15/99:
Observant, genius, spirited, and original.
I can't comment on the breed as a whole because my experiences have been
with 4 or 5 of this type of dog. However, I have never seen a dog that is
more observant than the Border Collie. Although it is known best for herding
and it's athletic abilities, the most amazing trait is it's ability to anticipate
what I am going to do next. My Border Collie alerts me to the fact that
I am a creature of habit every day. Sometimes his staring can get kind of
spooky. It is truly amazing to see such intelligence and agility, in a dog.
mbm@mindspring.com of Bremerton, WA writes on 12/10/99:
The greatest friend I could ever have.
I have an 11 year old Border Collie. I purchased him when he was just a
baby. He and I are the best of friends. He is so sweet and mellow mannered.
He trained up very quick. He never really had a problem with chewing on
things either. I have 3 cats as well and we just purchased a new Golden
Retriever puppy and Duke has always adjusted to new animals in the household
very well. He is just such a pleasure to have as a pet. I honestly don't
think I could ever find another dog with a personality as sweet as his.
He is really a huge part of my life and when the day comes that he passes
away it will be like me loosing a child.
mchesney@ncfreedom.net of Maysville, NC writes on 10/10/99:
A pure joy for only the most dedicated dog owner who can excell in any
dog sport
A truly beautiful and brilliant dog. The Border Collie will excell in any
dog activity or sport when properly trained. However, this in NOT a dog
for every dog lover. The Border Collie can be an extremely high energy dog
and needs to focus that energy on an activity with his owner involved and
supervising. The Border Collie is not a good dog to leave at home alone
all day while you work. They are so intelligent and have a great need to
focus their energy on a "job" that they tend to "find"
something to do if left alone. They love to herd by their very nature and
breeding. At times, they may find something to "herd" besides
sheep or cows... such as your cats, ducks, or at times the kids. Movement
is sure to catch their attention and they may even try to herd a passing
car... so supervision, and a safe enviroment is extremely important when
considering owning a Border Collie.
There is not a smarter breed in the world. If you choose to do obedience
work, agility, or herding... and want to "win", then the Border
Collie is your breed! To reach the top... it takes dedication, time, devotion,
in conjunction with education to harness the fabulous potential of this
most wonderful and loving breed.