Description and characteristics of the Border Collie herding dog

The Border Collie is recognized as the smartest dog. For her intelligence, good nature and activity, she is loved by dog ​​breeders all over the world. This is a shepherd dog, but can be a watchman, guard, guide or rescue dog. She enjoys serving people and can become a wonderful companion. This is an ideal dog for families with children and lovers of outdoor activities. But before getting such a pet, you need to study the description of the breed, its pros and cons, and maintenance rules.

History of the Border Collie Breed

Border Collie Puppy
The closest ancestors of today's Border Collies were the sheepdogs of English peasants who lived on the border with Scotland. Hence the name of the breed – border collie (from the English “boarder” - “border”). These picky and playful dogs herded flocks of sheep, guarded estates and did not annoy their phlegmatic owners with loud barking. At the same time, “farm collies” were not valued by the British nobility and for a long time remained typical rural dogs.

A chance meeting of its representatives with the Queen of Great Britain, Victoria, helped bring the breed out of the shadows. In 1860, English Shepherds took part in one of the first dog shows, after which they were introduced to the royal court. “Grandmother Europe” liked smart and loyal animals, so soon several representatives of this glorious breed settled in Buckingham Palace. Throughout Victoria's reign, many border collies lived in her chambers, but the queen's main favorite remained a dog named Sharp, who was honored after his death with an impressive memorial in Windsor.

It was possible to officially register the Border Collie breed only in 1915, although the standard of appearance for its representatives remained unformed for another 60 years.

The most famous ancestor of modern border dogs is considered to be the Old Hemp Shepherd, born in 1893 in Northumberland County. The handsome, strong, tri-colored male was distinguished by his outstanding intelligence and exemplary behavior, for which he was selected as a sire for subsequent mating. It was the grandchildren and great-grandsons of old Hamp who achieved their first successes at exhibitions, becoming prize-winners of international and European championships. Another famous representative of the breed is the dog Winston, recognized as the official symbol of the boarder club. According to breeders, all modern individuals carry Winston genes.

Interesting Facts

• Old Hemp is not the only Border Collie who has had a profound influence on the development of the breed. Whiston Cap was born in 1963 and became the most prolific collie in history. It is estimated that every Border Collie in the UK is currently descended from him. And also each individual registered with the International Sheepdog Society represents 13.3% of Wiston Cap.
• Queen Victoria was a true dog lover. In the early 1860s she became an active Border Collie enthusiast.
• The famous Scottish Poet Laureate Robert Burns was a proponent of the species. He described the breed as honest and loyal. Burns and his brother had a pet named Luat as children. But he died tragically. Burns's poem "Twa Dogs" is partly an ode to Luath. And the Burns statue in Winthrop Square in Boston depicts Luath standing eternally at his master's side.
• Animals know how and love to act in films and television shows due to their high intelligence, as well as workaholism. One of the most famous examples is the Maui pet. He played the dog Murray. The dog belonged to the main characters in the sitcom Mad About You, which aired in the 1990s. Maui played Murray for seven seasons, and was twice named the most popular dog on television by TV Guide.
• Talented border collie Striker currently holds one of the strangest Guinness World Records: "Fastest car window opening." Striker took 11.34 seconds to open a non-electric car window using its paw and nose. He set the record in September 2004 in Quebec, Canada.
• Dogs can move quickly in a cat-like, inclined position. This is due to the space between the tops of the shoulder blades, which allows them to "glide" low to the ground. This technique helps individuals herd animals with extreme precision.
• The Chaser is widely known as the smartest dog in the world. She can understand different words and also name her 1000 unique toys.
• Queen Victoria and Robert Burns are not the only famous people who owned collies. James Dean, Anna Paquin, Bon Jovi, Ethan Hawke, James Franco and Tiger Woods all had this breed.
• Films and TV series in which this breed has starred: “Snow Dogs”, “Little House on the Prairie”, “Mad About You”, “Baby”, “Year of the Dog”, “Wuthering Heights”, “Babe: The Four-Legged Baby” and many others.
• The species is also mentioned in fiction. For example, in the book “Year of the Dog. Twelve months, four dogs and me." It was written by journalist and author John Katz. He was the owner of all those dogs that, in fact, are written about in the book.
• The main work of the species is grazing. However, animals are also good at other tasks. It has to do with their mind. Collies are often used as therapy dogs. Dogs can also warn other people about deteriorating health conditions of the patient, such as seizures.

Appearance of a border collie

Border Collies Love to Cuddle
Border Collies are far short of the title of glamorous hunk. A modest spotted or marbled color, average size, light shaggy coat to this day identify them as typical “villagers”, whose main vocation is to run across the heather wastelands, drive away uninvited guests from their homes and herd sheep. But the lack of external gloss is more than compensated by the amazing charm and intellectual inclinations of the animal. According to the breeders of these charming, modest dogs, the remarkable intelligence of the Border Collie can be seen in their eyes.

Head

Wide skull with a smoothed occipital part. The cheekbones are normal, without roundness, not flat. The cheeks are medium, without excessive fleshiness. The muzzle is of medium width, tapering slightly towards the nose. The transition from the nose to the frontal part is clearly expressed. The length of the muzzle is approximately equal to the length of the skull.

Jaws

The Border Collie's jaws are strong, strong, with a regular scissor bite (the upper canines cover the lower ones). The teeth are white and evenly spaced.

Eyes

Oval, medium size. The distance between the eyes is wide. The color of the iris is brown, but blue eyes are allowed for border collies with a merle coat color. A wise, searching look.

Ears

Triangular, medium size, moderate thickness. Widely spaced. Both standing and semi-standing stances are acceptable.

Border collie muzzle

Nose and lips

The Border Collie's lips are dry. The nose is black, slate (if the coat is blue) or brown if the individual has a chocolate coat color. The nose is of medium size, the nostrils are large.

Neck

Hidden handsome man

Elongated, with excellently developed muscles, strong. There is a slight bend.

Frame

Wide and deep chest. The upper line of the back is characterized by a slight slope towards the tail. The lower back is muscular, the groin line is not tucked. The ribs are springy and round in shape. The croup is medium wide, elongated and slightly sloping.

Legs

The Border Collie's forelimbs are set parallel. The elbows are pressed to the sternum, the shoulder blades are tilted back, but do not close together. The hind legs are well muscled, wide, and have a sloping line at the base of the tail. The hock joints are low and slightly sloping back. The paws are in the shape of a regular oval with massive black pads and toes that gather into a “lump.” The claws of the paws are short and thick.

Tail

The tail of the Border Collie is saber-shaped, of medium length, reaching the hock joints. Fluffy, bends with a slight curl closer to the tip. In an emotionally excited individual, it often rises to the level of the upper line of the back.

Border collie black with white spots

Marbled Border Collie

Wool

Border collies can be either smooth or moderately long-haired. Representatives of both varieties have a springy soft undercoat that performs warming and water-repellent functions. Unlike smooth-haired individuals, long-haired individuals can boast of having a lush neck “collar” and fluffy “panties”. Some dogs may have so-called “feathers” or “feathers” on the back of their front legs. In this case, the muzzle, ears and front part of the forelimbs should have smooth and short hair.

Brown and caramel colored border collie (tan)

White Border Collie

Color

Border Collie Color Chart

To date, there are no restrictions on the types of colors of border collies. However, black with white spots or tan, chocolate with light tan and white markings, and merle (blue or merle) are still considered priorities. White markings are usually located on the forehead, chest, paws and tail and may have a speckled coloration.

Important: animals whose dominant color is white are not allowed to participate in exhibitions.

Dimensions

The average weight of an adult does not exceed 15-20 kg. Bitches are slightly smaller than males; the standard height for a female dog is 47-52 cm, for a dog - 50-53 cm.

Appearance defects and disqualifying faults of the Border Collie

The most loyal selection criteria apply to shaggy natives of English farms. Only an aggressive or cowardly dog ​​with an inadequate reaction to speech addressed to it and that does not meet the FCI standard can be banned from participating in exhibition and competition events. All other shortcomings are mercifully forgiven to borders.

Nutrition

This species rarely suffers from allergies, unlike other breeds. They are also less likely to have health problems, although their activity may cause joint problems later in life. In terms of nutrition, the breed is quite easy to satisfy. Individuals do not have any special needs. But, of course, there are certain ingredients that will be beneficial for dogs.

Squirrels . Like humans, animals break down protein to produce certain amino acids. They support growth, promote tissue repair and enzyme production.

Too much protein can have an adverse effect on the animal's behavior. This can make your pet hyperactive, unfocused, lack concentration, and even lead to unpredictable behavior.

If your pet walks a lot, goes for a run with you, and you regularly do daily interactive training, he will need about 22% protein.

If the dog is pregnant or sick, it is better to feed it food with a higher protein level - up to 24%.

Fats . The right kind of fat is essential to keeping your pet's skin and coat healthy. This will also give your pet an extra boost of energy.

Calcium will help maintain healthy bones and joints.

This breed is not picky and can tolerate all food components. But you should be careful about consuming too many carbohydrates. You can find them in almost all types of feed. Some feeds provide the animal with carbohydrates by 70%.

A growing individual requires 1,400 calories per day as they are more likely to be very active. For adults, 1000 calories is enough. As this breed gets older, their activity and amount of energy decreases. Therefore, older animals need about 700 calories per day.

Dogs cannot control their food intake on their own. They will eat everything you put in front of them. Divide your calorie intake into two separate meals. It's up to you to decide whether it will be breakfast and dinner or lunch and dinner.

Many dog ​​owners, regardless of breed, choose dry food. This is due to the fact that it is more accessible. Others buy canned food.

You can also cook your pet's food yourself. But here you will have to carefully calculate the diet and calorie content of the dishes in order to provide the animals with all the necessary substances.

Photo of an adult border collie

Border Collie Personality

Master, I love you so much ❤
Border collies are observant, good-natured hard workers with an extremely peaceful character. English Shepherds will always prefer completing some important assignment or intense training in the fresh air to lying aimlessly on the rug. For these dogs, work is not a routine, but the meaning of life, so you should not try to transform an energetic border dog into a “couch city dweller.”

Border collies are not considered aggressive dogs, but the animals still experience a certain distrust of strangers. But these modest intellectuals love children quite sincerely. Of course, you can “graze” them all day long, tirelessly driving individuals who have strayed from the “herd” into a safe zone and not letting them out of it until permission is received from the all-powerful and respected owner. By the way, about the relationship with the owner: it is difficult to find a creature capable of loving you more than a border collie. These executive workaholics are ready to completely and completely dissolve in their owner, without demanding anything in return.

Border collie herding sheep

Got it!

Boy

The height at the withers for boys is 48-56 cm, their weight is 14-20 kg.

Generally, the males of the same litter will be larger in size than the females. They usually grow taller and have a more muscular body, but this depends on the litter the dog was born into. Some parents may be small and some may be large. Therefore, some women may be larger than men purely due to genetics.

Males, as a rule, are more attached to their owners than females. They exhibit more affectionate behavior. Boys tend to be more "pushy" and will often ask you for attention.

As a male dog ages, he is more likely to retain his puppy playfulness. Females are the opposite: they become more withdrawn and aloof with age.

Often, male dogs will be more food motivated than female dogs. This has clear advantages in education and training.

We can say that men have a more “even” character. They are often calmer.

Education and training

Borders are dogs that require not only regular physical activity, but also constant training. They pick up lessons on the fly, and in addition, this is one of the few breeds that does not need to be endlessly stimulated with treats in order to master the simplest skill. And yet, discipline and perseverance in puppies are poorly developed: if an animal is tired of following monotonous commands, it will simply change the type of activity to another, from its point of view, more interesting.

Fast, smart and happy

The owners of boarders themselves call their pets the best fitness trainers for the simple reason that with them there is no time for passive rest. Standard walks at a sluggish, relaxed pace will not work with these comrades. The Border Collie requires a full run with games and complex tasks for intelligence and dexterity. Frisbee, flyball, bike joring, agility, diving - these are the standard activities that representatives of this breed very quickly get hooked on. Shepherds also respect hide-and-seek and chase, but sometimes they can lose control of themselves and, during the game, lightly bite the legs of the person running away.

Border Collies are good at listening to human speech and understand the meaning of many words. Some owners use this feature in games. For example, the names of toys are learned with the animal, after which the owner says the word denoting the object, and the dog must bring exactly the toy that the person asked for. Pets are no less delighted by hunting for a hose connected to a water pump and catching soap bubbles. Simply put, border collies love everything that involves the manifestation of at least some physical activity.

Border Collie training

Forced idleness is fraught with mental disorder for the animal, and inevitable financial losses for the owner. A bored dog can turn even a perfect apartment into the set for a post-apocalyptic blockbuster. Border puppies are a bit headstrong, which is not a good reason to postpone training until a later period. The sooner you teach your pet the rules of behavior in the house/apartment, the less material damage you will suffer.

Usually puppies are ready to learn simple commands at the age of 3-4 months. The average duration of training for a baby is 10-15 minutes, after which the animal begins to experience boredom and fatigue. Once the dog reaches 6 months of age, the training becomes more complicated, without forgetting to repeat and consolidate the material covered. You can train and raise your pet yourself, by trial and error, or you can entrust this matter to a professional. The advantages of the second option are obvious: the animal quickly masters a basic set of skills, and the owner saves his own time and nerves.

Something is wrong here...

Two friends

Barks but doesn't bite much

Border collies are irreplaceable shepherds who are capable of acting intelligently and harmoniously even without the participation of the owner, but they are poorly suited for the role of a watchdog. When the sheep do not obey, the “Einsteins” even lightly bite their legs in order to wean the oaky mammals from stubbornness or to move the inhibited thinking of their charges.

Being chained to a booth with a short piece of chain is a fate that can turn a cheerful and active dog into a melancholy and gloomy creature that has lost the meaning of life.

These lively creatures cannot live without movement, but aggression is not their style either.

If it concerns a herd, and the intruder is a wolf, fox or other animal, then there will be no mercy for him, but gaping at people is not quite in the rules of the border collie, although setting off a shrill “dog alarm” is quite within his power.

On a three-point scale, the watchdog qualities of this breed can be assessed as a two with two pluses, however, with the caveat that a chain is strictly contraindicated for a border collie, that is, serving as a guard is by no means its strong point, because hostility towards humans is absolutely absent in the “Einstein” genome!

Border collie: photo of the dog, price, description of the breed

Care and maintenance

The ideal habitat for borders is a country house or farm, where nothing will limit the activity of the animal. Keeping representatives of this breed in apartments also takes place, but only under the condition of good walking. If this is not possible, you should choose a less active pet.

Hygiene

I don't like baths...

When purchasing a Border Collie puppy, it makes sense to invest in a powerful vacuum cleaner, since Border Shepherds shed, although seasonally, extremely profusely. During the shedding period, you need to comb your dog at least once every two days, otherwise you will have to deal with tangles. In the interval between molts, it is enough to do this procedure once a week. Before combing, the wool is slightly moistened with a conditioner diluted in water, which should significantly facilitate the process. The use of slicker brushes and furminators is not recommended, as their use negatively affects the structure of the coat.

To speed up the molting process, experienced breeders recommend using a simple recipe:

• dilute a small amount of shampoo in water and bathe the dog;
• repeat the procedure again;
• fill the bath with clean water and dilute conditioner balm in it;
• moisten the animal’s fur with the resulting solution (rinse off is not necessary);
• blot the wet coat with a towel and comb thoroughly, thus removing the bulk of the undercoat and guard hair.

Another thing!

Border collies love to swim in open water, but are uncomfortable in the bathtub. You should wash your dog with a special shampoo no more than once every 1-2 months.

Border dogs have their nails trimmed once a month. If the pet leads an active outdoor life, this procedure can be neglected, because during jogging and training the claw plate is simply erased.

To prevent the appearance of tartar and remove plaque, you can give your dog tomato juice or treat it with “cleansing” bones from time to time. Close attention should be paid to the ears, which actively “collect” all kinds of pollution. The ear funnel should be cleaned with a cotton pad soaked in lotion, which can be purchased at any veterinary pharmacy.

Feeding

The Border Collie's daily menu must include meat (preferably not pork) and offal. The meat is served raw. If it is a frozen product, it should be doused with boiling water. It is allowed to include frozen sea fish in the animal’s diet, from which the bones have previously been removed. In addition, it is useful to mix fish oil, kelp and vegetable oil into the food, which serve as a source of essential amino acids and microelements.

Broccoli, zucchini, green beans, pumpkin, spinach and green apples are essential foods in a Border Collie's diet. They are usually served mashed or chopped in a blender. Sour milk and eggs are given once a week. The most useful cereals are buckwheat and rice. For training, you should choose treats based on dried liver, as well as any other delicacies with a reduced fat content, approved by veterinarians.

Of the dry foods, the most useful are options with salmon, turkey and lamb. Since the activity of most borderers is off the charts, the optimal diet for them would be a “dry” diet with a high content of protein (about 30%) and fat (up to 20%). In addition, the right food should contain chondroitin and glucosamine, as well as sources of Omega-3 and Omega-6. Varieties based on meat by-products, as well as foods containing soy, corn and wheat, do not have the best effect on the dog’s digestive system.

Oooh.. mushroom

It's all for me?

Breeding

Breeding individuals is a difficult and labor-intensive process. Serious breeders check dogs according to many criteria, including the presence of genetic diseases.

Puberty in males occurs at the age of 15 months, in females - at 18 months. The female's first estrus begins at 6 months and occurs 2 times a year.

Get all necessary vaccinations and deworming a month before the expected mating date.

Pregnancy lasts 53-71 days. Walk a lot with the expectant mother, but do not overtire her. Provide the female with a high protein diet.

Shortly before giving birth, the bitch's behavior will begin to change. She will stop eating, will start to worry, and will dig her place. If you observe these signs, it means that there is less than a day left before the significant event.

Ensure that a veterinarian or experienced breeder is present at the birth.

Usually 4-8 puppies are born in a litter.

Border Collie Health and Diseases

The average lifespan of dogs is 12-13 years. An elderly animal can be identified by its attraction to a calmer lifestyle, while the appearance of border dogs remains unchanged even with age. As for hereditary diseases, there are few of them. The most common conditions that Border Collies suffer from are hip dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans, retinal atrophy, and epilepsy. Some individuals may have a congenital eye abnormality, often leading to blindness. An animal affected by this disease can be identified as early as 10 weeks of age.

Border collies are sensitive to barbiturate anesthetics, which is due to the low content of adipose tissue in the dog's body. Extremely rare, but still occurring is a disease such as hypothyroidism, accompanied by disturbances in the functioning of the thyroid gland and hair loss. Pets of lazy owners usually suffer from obesity, which is a direct consequence of a passive lifestyle, as well as overfeeding the dog.

Girl

The height at the withers for girls is 46-53 cm, weight – 12-19 kg.

Females are usually shorter and slimmer. This contributes to their greater dexterity. Also, girls' heads have a more feminine appearance.

Women are usually more independent than men and do not like to be controlled. For example, they will come to you when they want something, but will leave as soon as they get what they wanted.

Because women like to be in control, they tend to be more stubborn.

A lesser known fact is that girls are territorial. They will mark their territory throughout their lives. This does not depend on whether they are sterilized.

Bitches are less attached to their owner than males. With age, they become more reserved.

Unspayed females will exhibit mood swings when they come into heat. In general, women tend to be more “moody” than men.

How to choose a puppy

We choose an active, sociable, moderately well-fed animal and refuse lethargic, apathetic puppies with dirty ears and a dry nose. You should first get to know the parents of the future pet, and of course, clarify information about the vaccinations given to the dog. If pedigree and standard appearance are important, it is better to contact well-known nurseries.

In order to save money, you can go through virtual bulletin boards like Avito and buy a border collie puppy “from hand”. Sometimes unscrupulous sellers, under the guise of purebred puppies, sell mongrels of a similar color or mixed breed, so it is better to come to a meeting with the owner of the animal with a specialist who can distinguish a purebred from a pseudo-border.

Nicknames

Many owners can't figure out what to name their Border Collie? Below are the most popular pet names.

For boy

Nicknames for boys:

• Hemp.
• They beat.
• Jet.
• Millennium.
• Clyde.
• Tyne.
• Rocky.
• Chester.
• Winston.
• Jimmy.
• Jack.
• Ben.
• Luke.
• Cody.
• Bean.
• Pete.
• Royan.
• False.
• Jesse.
• Whale.
• Dylan.
• Evan.
• Weiss.
• Schleich.
• Luke.
• Moody.

For girl

Nicknames for girls:

• Jen.
• Meg.
• Bessie.
• Ruby.
• Nellie.
• Annie.
• Haze.
• Barra.
• Dera.
• Jilly.
• Jena.
• Queen.
• Redhead.
• Molly.
• Bark.
• Mia.
• Fairy.
• Lussy.
• Sky.
• Merry.
• Faith.
• Martha.
• Omega.

Photos of border collie puppies

How much does a border collie cost?

An animal from a decent nursery will cost 50,000 - 60,000 rubles, and chocolate-colored borders are more expensive. In advertisements from single sellers, the average price tag for a border collie puppy with the RKF metric is approximately the same. The cost of babies from titled parents can reach 70,000 rubles. Purebred dogs with minor defects cost 25,000 - 35,000 rubles. Metis without documents, who are barred from entering exhibitions and competitions, are often given away free of charge or for a nominal fee.

Description

Border collies are the best representatives of herding dogs. They are often called the smartest of all dog species in the world. Collies are excellent working dogs due to their agility and endurance. The animals have always been a favorite choice of farmers and ranchers as they have successfully assisted in herding livestock. If you are ready to raise your animal with love, train it consistently and fairly, and give it plenty of exercise, this is the breed for you.