Characteristics of a Border Collie

The border collie is a medium-sized breed of dog that can be found sporting a variety of colorations. The breed also has a long and short coat type, both shedding twice a year and requiring regular grooming. This breed was originally developed along the border between England and Scotland where it was used primarily as a herding dog.

  1. Active

    • The border collie is an extremely active dog that requires a large amount of exercise on a daily basis. K9Web recommends taking a border collie on two 45-minute walks a day to help them to burn excess energy. This is a dog that will become destructive if it does not receive adequate exercise, which could include digging up the owner's backyard and chewing furniture. The border collie is also prone to suffering from heat exhaustion in hot weather due to the breed's characteristic hyperactivity, which causes the dog to carry on exercising even when feeling tired or overheated.

    Intelligent

    • One of the most intelligent dog breeds, the border collie is regarded highly for its ability to reason and to think independently. The border collie is an extremely trainable dog that will learn new commands quickly. Because of the breed's high intelligence, it needs mental stimulation to feel content. Training a border collie to complete an agility course is an effective method of keeping the dog stimulated.

    Hard Working

    • The border collie breed was first developed for the purpose of sheep herding. Border collies are one of the most common breeds of dog that are used for sheep herding, and this is due to the breed's hard-working nature, agility, intense focus and high level of stamina. Without a job to do, the border collie can become bored easily and this can lead to the dog to exhibit neurotic and destructive behavior.

    With People

    • This dog can make an ideal pet with active families who are willing to provide the necessary exercise and training. However the border collie is not recommended for families with young children as its strong herding instinct can cause it to herd and nip family members. The border collie has a reputation for being affectionate with its family, although it can be distant around strangers and it is therefore important to socialize the dog thoroughly from a young age to prevent behavior problems, according to the American Kennel Club.