Border Collie: One Very Smart Dog
The Border Collie Is One Very Smart Dog
This breed will top the list if there is a genius dog category. It ranks as the most intelligent dog breed in the world. They are smart enough to outwit their owners unless they keep up with their game.
My neighbor’s Border Collie (Plato, of course, since Aristotle has too many syllables) routinely beat me at soccer. It had so much more stamina than I did.
Border Collies have been bred for centuries for their intelligence and herding abilities. This was so successful that the Border Collie is one brilliant dog, the most intelligent dog in the world. They are also one of the best herding dogs. However, they were once beaten in a herding competition, or so I am told, by a pig named Babe.
The Roman Connection
There is an old saying that an army marches on its stomach. (Napoleon and Frederick the Great have been credited for the phrase.) But long before Napoleon and Fred, the Romans knew how important ensuring their soldiers had something to eat was. It was common for them to travel with a livestock herd if plundering the countryside did not produce enough groceries. They brought along dogs to help manage and herd the livestock.
Invasion of England
Under Julius Caesar, the Romans first tried to invade England in 55 BC, but the first successful invasion was not until AD 43. The Scots have a long history of not liking to be an occupied country, and by AD 122, the Romans had withdrawn their troops.
By the mid-70s AD, the Romans controlled most of Scotland. They also brought their livestock and dogs along with them. Many Roman dogs likely were left behind and interbred with the [wiki]spitz[/wiki] dogs later brought to Scotland by the Vikings.
After the Romans
We can only speculate about the dogs left behind by the Romans and dogs in Scotland before the Romans and Vikings invaded. Over time, the Border Collie became a [wiki]landrace[/wiki] dog breed. The Border Collie is not a [wiki]designer dog[/wiki] created by combining other dog breeds. However, all of today’s purebred Border Collies trace their ancestry to Old Hemp, the [wiki]foundation sire[/wiki] of Border Collies.
Not Only Smart But Also Athletic
Border collies respond to a combination of vocal commands and whistles, which makes them excellent sheepdogs. Border Collies also excel in sports agility contests. In colder climates, they work on sled dog teams that are very competitive in middle-distance races.
The Borders excel in flyball and frisbee competitions. In northern climates, they make up sled dog teams that are competitive in middle-distance races.
These dogs love training and quickly master new commands. They do exceptionally well at agility, fetching, Flyball, obedience, tracking, frisbee toss, and herding. An untrained or neglected Border Collie will become bored and frustrated, resulting in harmful or destructive behavior.
They have a highly developed sense of smell and make excellent tracking dogs with high energy levels.
Size of Border Collies
Border Collies are medium-sized dogs weighing about 20 lbs to 25 lbs. They stand in height ranging from 18 to 22 inches, depending on gender. They have a coat that is usually black and white. Some other color variations include black, red, and chocolate tricolors.
There is also a very rare Australian red. Their ears are partly erect, similar to other collies. However, the border collie’s snout is not as long, which makes its face look identical to the Australian Shepherd.
Border Collie Description
Borders are medium-sized, weighing about 20 pounds to 25 pounds, with an average height of 18 to 22 inches, depending on gender. They have a double coat that can be thick or smooth. The most common color is a black-and-white combination. Some other color variations include black tricolor, red tricolor, chocolate, and a rare Australian red.
Hair length is one difference between a border collie and a standard collie. Border Collies have a lot of long hair, but it is not nearly as long as the Rough Collie.
Their ears are similarly erect or partially erect, but their snout is not as long. This makes them look more like an Australian Shepherd than a standard Collie.
“Collie” may come from the ancient Celtic word for sound. Mention of the “Collie” first appeared near the end of the 19th century, although the word “collie” is older and originates in the Scottish language. The breed is descended from landrace collies, a type found widely in the British Isles.
These collies were bred to herd sheep. They also find lost or runaway sheep and return them to the herd. Border Collies typically have a medium-sized body and a moderately long coat that is frequently thick and prone to shedding. They have a double coat that can be curled periodically and ranges in texture from smooth to rough.
What Color Are Border Collies
The Border Collie can be found in almost any color and pattern known in dogs, although black and white is the most common color pattern. Some of these include the black tricolor, composed of black, tan, and white; liver and white; and the red tricolor, composed of red, tan, and white.
Other colors include blue, lilac, red merle, blue merle, brindle, and Australian red, also known as ee red, blonde, recessive red, or gold, and are less frequently observed. Additionally, some border collies could have one-color coats.
What They Do
These dogs are more popular as working dogs than show dogs and have left some leeway in the rules of coloring. Border Collies are most commonly black and white. Some have multiple colors, and their coat is of two distinct lengths, short and long. Both sizes require some grooming, although these dogs can keep themselves well-groomed.
Border Collies obey the voice and whistle commands when at work herding sheep or cattle. They can herd many different animal breeds, from sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, and ducks. They may even try to herd small children.
As Family Pets
The Bord Collie is easily house-trained. Even those that have spent most of their lives outdoors become great house pets. Like other breeds, the Border Collie will be restless and destructive if left alone indoors for too long.
Border Collies need more daily physical activity and mental challenges than other dog breeds.
Due to boredom, they are notorious for destructive scraping, hole-digging, and biting on walls and furniture. Border collies may demonstrate a strong drive to herd children, ca s, and other dogs.
Before bringing home a border collie as a pet, the American Border Collie Association advises prospective owners to ensure they can provide regular exercise comparable to Collie’s strong energy and enormous stamina.
Overall, the Border Collie can tolerate many conditions, from hot to cold, from apartment to home to the farm, so long as they get plenty of daily workouts and mental stimulation. They are relatively healthy. They do need to be brushed two or three e times per week. They are m medium-sized dogs averaging 40 pounds.
Where to Buy A Border Collie
Border Collie puppies are available for sale from various breeders across the United States—a directory of breeders who have registered litters with the AKC, along with their contact information.
The cost of a Border Collie puppy can vary depending on the breeder, location, and other factors such as the puppy’s pedigree and whether or not it has been bred for specific traits such as working ability or conformation to breed standards. On average, the cost of a Border Collie puppy from a reputable breeder can range from $800 to $2,500 or more, depending on the breeder and location [2].
Potential owners need to research and find a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of their dogs. Reputable breeders should be able to provide health clearances for their breeding dogs and be willing to answer any questions potential owners may have about the breed and their specific breeding program.
In addition to purchasing from a breeder, it’s also possible to find Border Collies in shelters and rescue organizations. Adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue can be more affordable and provide a loving home to a needy dog.
Before You Adopt
Before you adopt a Border Collie puppy or adult, ensure you have space for them to run and that you have the time to train this dog breed with its very high energy level.
They are frequently purchased as household pets, but Border Collies need lots of activity and may not be suitable for everyone. As with many working breeds, Border Collies may chase moving vehicles or cats.
Some enthusiasts oppose using Border Collies as show dogs, fearing that breeding for appearance will diminish the breed’s primary purpose as a working dog.
Make sure you have security gates. Although they are not usually diggers, you should have a high fence that sits on or goes into the ground. These dogs are smart enough to find a way to open gates or jump over shorter fences.
If you take the time to train this brilliant dog, you will be amazed at everything it can do. It may even teach you a trick or two.
Health Issues
Like other purebred dogs, the Border Collie is subject to health issues. This breed can, for example, suffer from epilepsy and cataracts. The dogs bred as show dogs are especially prone to various genetic problems. Be sure you get your Border Collie from a reputable breeder. They’re more likely to take care of reducing hereditary defects.
They do have some breed-specific issues. Many Border Collies are allergic to fleas, and some are prone to epilepsy and deafness. Border Collies may work themselves to exhaust n and can suffer from heatstroke in the hot weather.
Show dogs are especially prone to genetic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia. This breed can also suffer from epilepsy and cataracts. Progressive retinal atrophy is also a problem. You should purchase your Collie from a reputable breeder who will have tested for hereditary defects.
Make sure to keep their coat free of tangles and mats. The Border Collie will shed its coat twice a year. Most of these dogs spend much time outside, so they should be checked regularly for ticks, especially around the ears.
For more information on the Border Collie, visit their page on the AKC or the Borer Collie Society of America.
