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Ah , the Border Collie . There ’s no mistaking those upright ears , downlike yet muscular body , and signature herding eyes .
Did you know that the Border Collie is named the most intelligent dog breed love to adult male ?
They are smart , very much lovely , and large actors , too !
If you have chosen a Border Collie to be your family dog , you ’ve made the right decision !
countenance ’s learn everything there is to learn about this breed — their light chronicle , traits and characteristics , personality and temperament , care need , and some fast facts about the beloved Border Collie .
Border Collie Breed: An Overview
The Border Collie is a herding dog of British descent that is mainly spawn for working . Their main task is to leave a herd of unlike fauna — mostly sheep , hogget , cattle , and Capricorn .
TheAmerican Kennel Clubdescribed the standard Border Collie as a well - balanced , intermediate - eccentric , and gymnastic dog cover that equally displays grace of God , power , and agility .
Their keen , merry expression is also an important characteristic of this breed .
Male Border Collies stand at about 19 to 22 inches in altitude from the withers and weigh about 35 to 40 lb , while female Border Collies are around 18 to 21 inches in height and press about 30 to 42 lb .
When cared for properly , this breed can go up from 12 to 15 years long .
In terms of adaptability and trainability , no doubt that Border Collies are still at the top topographic point .
Because they are highly intelligent , they can easily peck up newfangled caper or labor yield to them .
Owners even say that Border Collies have an uncanny hang for knowing what you ’re gon na enquire before you call for it . They are intuitive , obedient , and always wanna make their Mama and papas lofty .
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Border Collie: Short History
Border Collies derive from the real border counties between England and Scotland , hence “ border ” , while “ collie ” , a Scottish dialect , refer to all case of herd sheepdogs .
They are said to be around since 1700 and became so popular that even Queen Victoria of England herself became an enthusiast of the stock .
However , Pennsylvania State Universitydocumented that Border Collies have a far older chronicle than that .
They said this stock is in reality descend from the herding dog-iron of the Roman Empire and the herding dogs of the Vikings when both invade Britain in 43 AD and in 793 , respectively .
Wherever they fare from or however they come about , there is no questioning why Border Collies remains to be the world ’s PM sheep herding dog up to this date .
Border Collie: Traits and Characteristics
As we often see in pictures or in movies , Border Collies depend like they only come in bleak and whitened .
But the truth is , there are 17 colouration variations that the American Kennel Club make out as standard for this dog breed .
Apart from black and white , the other colors are :
While the non - stock colouration are :
There are also discrete markings that can be seen on their coats . They could be :
Any heart vividness is also acceptable for Border Collies , except for blue which should only be seen with a Merle coating .
talk of coating , Border Collies also do in two types of coat : the smooth coat and the rough coat .
The smooth coat is usually shorter in length and a bit vulgar to the touch , while the harsh coat is medium - distance and feathered . Either could help them tolerate atmospheric condition change well , whether it be hot or cold .
Both character shed a moderate amount ( except during the frightening shedding season twice a class ! )
Border Collie: Personality and Temperament
Because they are a extremely - active breed , Border Collies want a portion of active time . And not just walking around the Mungo Park because they ’ll easily get too world-weary with that . They need actual project !
Border Collies also postulate mental stimulation every now and then . They are purpose - bred dogs so they necessitate activities that will practice their decision - making , problem - solving , and concentration skills .
This strain needs at least 90 moment a daylight of forcible and mental activity to keep them happy and healthy .
Enrolling them in blackguard agility education division is best if they do n’t have factual study to do at home . With their natural physical and mental agility , they ’ll easy be the superstars in the class !
Although Border Collies can be lovey - dovey to their kinsfolk and the masses they know so well , they still incline to pluck only one as their favorite human .
This is an inherited instinct because they are used to only working with one person as a team in herding other animals .
And speaking of herding , trust me when I say they have a go at it to show off who ’s the boss !
Border Collies will seek to crowd almost anything it sees — other pets , children , even cars !
They can be quite vocal too when they feel like the ‘ herd ' is n’t following society .
Also , this breed is highly sensitive and intuitive .
They can easily smell out what their owners desire or call for . No admiration they ’re view the most intelligent Canis familiaris breed there is !
In fact , if you see them staring at you ( or stalking could be the right word ! ) with those acute eye , that mean give them already a new chore , human !
Or else , you sure wo n’t be felicitous about the other activities they ’ll do by themselves !
Early socialization is also important for Border Collies so they ’d be exposed to a variety of people and situations early on .
Border Collie: Care needs
aside from the high forcible activeness Border Collies need to keep them primed and felicitous , it ’s as important to sleep with what their preparation and alimentation needs are .
Grooming Needs
Although Border Collies have two type of coating ( the approximate and the liquid one ) , brushing once or twice a week is enough to maintain both , except when it ’s shedding season when they ’ll be require that day-by-day brushing .
They also do n’t require full baths that much as compared to other heel , but since they are used to work on ( or just playing ) under different weather conditions , those coats still need washing and cleaning every once in a while .
Just like any other breed , their nails need constant trimming and their teeth constant brushing .
Ears should also be maintained to that wan pink color . verify to strip them too and that no undesirable pests are scupper inside ( specially if you just got home from outside activeness ! )
Feeding needs
Because Border Collies are a highly - alive breed , they will also be needing highly nutritive solid food to render their energy .
1.5 to 2 cup of commercially make up or homemade dog food should be enough to feed them doubly a Clarence Day , as long as the timber and quantity are appropriate for their age , weight , build up , and activeness levels .
Although they are not prone to arrive obese unlike other breed , it ’s still good to search your veterinarian ’s guidance on the perfect food for thought option for your Border Collie .
Border Collie: Potential Health Problems
Although Border Collies are considered generally a healthy stock , there are still several diseases that you may want to see out for in your own Collie .
TheBorder Collie Society of Americasuggests a couple of screening trial be done regularly for Border Collies . These are for hip dysplasia , possible center problems , deafness , epilepsy , and others .
Hip Dysplasia
AlthoughHip Dysplasiais usual for larger stock , some diminished to mid - size breeds can still be prostrate to this off-white disease because this is hereditary in nature .
Hip Dysplasia happens when the clod and articulatio on the rose hip of the dog do n’t fit properly , resulting in deterioration or disfunction .
It ’s best to keep if your Border Collie has lameness on the hind legs , has difficulty in standing or jump , or is hitch .
If not addressed right , pelvic arch dysplasia may extend to degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease .
Progressive Renal Atrophy (PRA)
Progressive Renal Atrophyinvolves the gradual deterioration of the dog ’s retina . It commonly come out with the loss of their night vision , then a reformist loss of their day imaginativeness .
Mostly , PRA is diagnosed in Border Collies of 3 or 4 years of age . But with former screening run , it should be observe aright out for immediate treatment .
Deafness
Deafness is also raise to occur in Border Collies but its preponderance and inheritance are unknown .
However , merle - coat Collies have more cases of deafness ( and even blindness ) associated with their lack of skin pigmentation and iris color .
This can impress Border Collies unilaterally ( deaf in one auricle ) , or bilaterally ( deaf in both ear . )
Epilepsy
There are several studies that also evoke Border Collies are prone to come Epilepsy .
Epilepsy is abrain disordercharacterized by frequent capture . However , other symptom may also include tail and shadow chasing , and fly - catching .
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
The Collie Eye Anomaly is common for allCollie breedssuch as Shetland Sheepdogs , Australian Shepherd , and Lancashire Heelers ( apart from the Border Collie , of course ! )
This is another innate and heritable disease that affects the retina , choroid , and sclera of the dog .
The severe course of this disease can cause entire cecity of both eyes , and since this is transmissible , there is no handling or remedy for CEA .
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis
Another inherited disease plebeian to Border Collies is Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis which causes premature death to affected dogs .
This affect their central nervous organisation and can manifest through different behaviour issues such as anxiety , aggression , constant circling , and loss of memorize skill among others .
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis usually starts showing for Border Collies at 1 to 2 days old .
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS)
So far , TNS has only been base among Border Collies . This is another transmissible disease where the bone marrow free white-hot cells visit neutrophils that are ‘ trap ' or ca n’t be released into the bloodstream .
Volunteer State impact pup as other as 4 months sure-enough and may cause early last because of their weakened resistant organization .
Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)
Another pearl disease found in Border Collies is OCD . This is an inflammatory precondition that takes place when the diseased gristle separates from the underlying bone .
Some indications could be tumesce in the affected joints , as well as wilted or lameness in the affected branch or legs . surgical process can help treat this irritating disease .
Allergies
Like other dog-iron ( and humans , too ! ) , Border Collies are also prone to catch differentallergiesto nutrient or environment .
involve your vet regarding allergy testing to settle what are the potential allergen that could spark your Border Collie .
Although not all Collies can get these diseases , it still wo n’t suffer to be sure , you roll in the hay ?
During your weekly brush , it ’s of import to check for any index number that your Border Collie may be put up from something .
Aside from the coating baulk for parasites , check their eye if there are rubor or discharges , their skins for any inflammations , or their ears for any possible infection .
Different Types of Border Collie
Apart from their pelage case , color , and markings , Border Collies are also relegate based on their forcible appearance .
Because of different breeding practices throughout the old age , there are also noticeable changes in their physical aspect , temperaments , and act upon mode .
The Northumbrian Type
Some Border Collies inherit most features of their early ancestors , Old Hemp owned by Adam Telfer of Northumbrian , England .
This eccentric is mostly reserved and smooth when working , always muscular and ticklish .
Physically , their body-build is medium with a uncut coating and piddling white pelage passementerie .
The Wiston Cap Type
The tri - biased Border Collie name Cap , owned by J.M Wilson in the 60s , sired the Wiston Cap eccentric .
They are usually rough surface with numerous white coat trimmings over the chest , shoe collar , and forelegs .
Their bodies seem larger while their head is also bigger . The Wiston Cap case is an overworking dog and extremely obedient .
Most sensation Border Collies in the 70s and 80s were spawn from Cap , who was hail as an international champion himself in 1965 .
The Nap Type
Nap - character Border Collies are the only smooth yet short - coated among the bunch . The name came from their antecedent Whitehope Nap stick out in the fifty .
This type is firm , fast , and sinewy . Their legs are foresightful but their bodies are shorter , making this the popular option for work dog-iron on Southwest farm in America .
The Herdman’s Tommy Type
This last type amount from Herdman ’s Tommy , the grandson of Old Hemp . Their approximate coat are black and white with some tan shape and a medium size dead body structure .
The Herdman ’s Tommy eccentric are normally soundly - temper yet strong - headed .
Border Collie: Fun Facts
Border Collie Breed — Summary
The Border Collie breed is doubtlessly one of the favorite picks among active owner because of their power and personality .
Knowing not just the Border Collie ’s care needs , trait and feature , personality and temperament but also the history of how they came to be will help you appreciate and care for this healthy breed as part of your family .
