Information on the Border Collie Dog Breed

According to the American Kennel Club, the border collie ranked as the 52nd most popular dog in the United States in 2009. A favorite of active families, farmers and dog sport competitors, the border collie is an energetic, intelligent dog that may feel stifled in a less-active family. While border collies are not for everyone, they make good pets for those who understand and meet the dog's needs.

  1. History

    • According to the AKC, the border collie breed originated in the border lands between England and Scotland. Used as a herding dog for sheep, the border collie breed has been around for more than 100 years. The Dog Breed Info Center states that the breed is a descendant of Viking reindeer herding dogs, British droving breeds and spaniels.

    Size

    • The average adult male border collie weighs 30 to 45 pounds and measures 19 to 22 inches in height. A grown female border collie weighs approximately 27 to 42 pounds, and is 18 to 21 inches in height. Border collies have an average litter size of six puppies, and the breed lives an average of 12 to 15 years.

    Identification

    • The border collie is a medium-sized dog with a coarse, long coat. Border collie coat colors are black and white, tri-color, red and white, black and gray, yellow, yellow and white, sable and all black. The least common coat color is merle, which, according to the U.S. Border Collie Club, is a dilution of overall body color, usually red or black, with streaks or splotches of darker color. The merle color is due to a gene in the dog. If two merles breed together the result is a double-merle. Double-merles are white with merle spots, and are often deaf and vision-impaired.

    Temperament

    • According to the Dog Breed Info Center, border collies are extremely intelligent, friendly, sometimes sensitive dogs. Border collies excel in canine sports such as agility and flyball, due to their high stamina and energy levels. Poorly exercised border collies can become aggressive toward other dogs and small animals. Due to the breed's intelligent yet sensitive nature, positive reinforcement obedience training helps them excel.

    Considerations

    • According to Border Collie Rescue, many factors should be considered before purchasing or adopting a border collie. Border collies are working dogs, with a natural herding instinct. This instinct may cause them to attempt to herd children, which often results in a bite. The border collie is a high-energy dog, as well as an extremely intelligent one. The dog needs daily physical exercise, as well as jobs such as dog agility or competitive obedience. The U.S. Border Collie Club states that a border collie without a job will find its own, sometimes dangerous, job such as herding cars, herding squirrels, digging, cornering cats, whining and pushing at people and chewing.