Border Collie

Highly intelligent dog with a high demand for physical exercise

Border Collies are medium-sized dogs breed specifically for herding purposes. This dog breed is highly intelligent, extremely energetic, athletic and very fond of working.

Country of origin:	Great Britain
FCI group:	Group 1, Section 1, Sheepdogs
Temperament:	Tenacious, Intelligent, Energetic, Keen, Responsive, Alert
Colors:	Black, White, Blue, Blue Merle, Brindle, Lilac, Red Merle, Chocolate, Liver, Sable Merle, Gold, Red
Weight:	Male: 14–20 kg, Female: 12–19 kg
Height:	Male: Male: 48–56 cm, Female: 46–53 cm
Life expectancy:	from 10 to 17 years

Border Collie puppies

As Border Collies were bred specifically for their intelligence and obedience, they excel in training. Considered to be the most intelligent dog breed, Border Collies need their mental stimulation from their early days. Training is a great way to do so. From their puppyhood Border Collies should be subjected to socialization both with other humans and animals. Thankfully Border Collies are quick learners and if subjected to necessary training at a young age will remember all you taught them for the rest of their life. As Border Collies make for an active dog feeding a diet that will satiate all their dietary needs is vital for proper development. Valp Plus from Husse range will work great for medium-sized active Border Collie puppies.

Border Collie’s nutrition

Border Collie’s need for daily physical exercise is considerably higher than in most dog breeds. Since they will easily burn calories and use more energy than some other dogs, you should feed your Border Collie a diet with appropriate levels of protein, fat and carbohydrates. Optimal dry food from Super Premium Husse line will be a great maintenance food for your always on the move Border Collie. For a grain-free option, Opus Ocean or Opus Farm can both be great choices for your Border Collie. Keep in mind that not all dogs are the same. While choosing a diet take into account the activity level of your dog, individual biology and current weight of your dog. Monitor your dog’s weight and make changes if necessary. Do remember to give your dog a transition period whenever you’re changing the food you give to prevent any issues with the digestive system.

Recommended for Border Collie adults:

Optimal | Complete & balanced nutrition for active dogs

Optimal is suitable for medium breeds with normal or higher energy requirements. Optimised kibble texture to support mechanical cleaning of the teeth.

Breed size: Medium breeds

Protein: 26.0% (71% animal protein of total protein content)

Fat content: 16.0%

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Sensitive Optimal | Complete nutrition for active sensitive dogs

Sensitive Optimal is a gluten free product suitable for dogs that suffer from sensitive digestive systems. A recipe with higher energy content suitable for dogs with normal or higher energy requirements and chondroitin and glucosamine to support joint health.

Breed size: All breed sizes

Protein: 26.0% (82% animal protein of total protein content)

Fat content: 16.0%

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Detailed description of Border Collie

Border Collie is a medium-sized dog breed with a moderate amount of thick coat that in most cases is coloured black and white. Border Collies are well balanced in build with a hard and muscular body and an overall athletic appearance.

Genesis

During the Roman Empire’s glory, emperors made plans to conquer Britain. The Roman occupation influenced almost every aspect of British life, including dog breeding. As the occupant’s legions brought their livestock with them, with livestock came herding dogs. The fall of the Roman Empire opened British lands to another invader - Vikings. They brought along their smaller, quicker, spitz-type herders. Viking began crossing their dogs with the old Roman dogs, which eventually led to the creation of compact and agile herders known today as Border Collie. Once Border Collies dominated competitive sheepdog trials in the British Isles for more than a hundred years, the breed has been recognised as the world’s greatest herder.

Appearance

Border Collies are medium-sized and covered with a double coat varying from rough to smooth, occasionally curled. Though there are some most popular colour combinations, this dog breed can come in virtually any colour and pattern known to occur in dogs. Some of the most commonly seen include black and white, black with white and tan, liver and white and red with tan and white. Some Border Collies may even have a single-colour coat. These dogs have almond-shaped eyes with a particularly intelligent expression. There is no specific eye colour for Border Collies - they may range from brown to blue or even eyes that differ in colour. Even Border Collies ears may vary in shape - some dogs have them fully erect, some fully dropped, others have semi-erect ears.

Behaviour

There is not as much variation regarding Border Collie’s temperament as there is with their coat colours and patterns. Dogs of this breed are highly intelligent and very active. As an energetic and playful breed Border Collies will not stand sitting in one place for too long - you can expect nipping, barking, biting and many other behavioural problems from an under-exercised Border Collie. This dog breed is considered to be hyperactive and always have the need to do something. Border Collies require both physical and mental activity, otherwise can become frustrated and irritable. Border Collies are very routine-oriented and any changes may lead to overall bad behaviour.

Requirements

Border Collies have a high demand for both physical and mental stimulation. As this breed thrives when given a job to do and space to run, you have to provide a not working Border Collie with vigorous exercise every day. Despite some genetic diseases including Collie eye anomaly and epilepsy occurring in this breed, Border Collies make a rather healthy and very hardy breed. It is worth noting that due to their tendency to herd animals and people, they do best with older, well-behaved children.

Daily care

Border Collies have two types of coat. There is a rough, medium-length and feathered coat and a smooth, but shorter and coarser coath. Both are water-resistant and dense. Both require the same grooming - one or twice a week to keep the coat mat-free, tangle-free and get rid of any dirt. During shedding season daily brushing is required. Trim your dog’s nails if necessary. Bathe your Border Collie rather infrequently, especially if dog gets dirty or smelly. Frequent bathing may strip natural oils from Border Collie’s coat, which will result in the coat losing its water-repellent properties.

dr Anna Plummervet and blogger