With high energy levels and a need to stay busy, Border Collies demand commitment, although, owners who can fulfill their appetite for attention will be met with a loyal and intelligent canine companion. Due to Border Collie’s history with herding, they’ve evolved to be trainable in a various assortment of tasks, but they’re also capable of so much more. While this breed unfortunately commonly ends up in shelters due to people not understanding what they signed up for, prospective Border Collie owners should read the information below to determine if this energetic breed is a right fit for their lives.

Border Collie History

It’s reported that early breeds of Border Collies were observed as far back as 43 AD, when the Roman empire conquest and settled in Britain. For the next several centuries, the workaholic breed had been dedicatedly trained to be herding dogs. Eventually, Vikings invaded the Romans and bred their smaller dogs with Border Collies, which resulted in a smaller and faster working dog which was fit for the rocky Scottish highlands. After hundreds of years of herding, Border Collies were finally recognized as a breed in 1906. Today, this breed is still considered the top premier herding dog breed in the world.

Temperament

The Border Collie has an unparalleled ability to learn new tasks and perform them quickly, which is why they’re often hailed as the world’s smartest dog. While their common traits for being active, independent, alert, and responsive may all sound like positive attributes, owners may encounter disastrous results if they’re not prepared to mentally challenge their Border Collie. They tend to be one-person dogs and can become aloof or weary around strangers. However, if you believe this active canine is right for you, owners are met with a positive, attentive, playful, and interactive companion.

Appearance

Male Border Collies stand 19-to-22 inches tall and weigh between 35-45 pounds, while females stand 18-to-21 inches and weigh 30-40 pounds. They have a medium-length double coat that comes in two varieties, being a coarser outer coat and a soft undercoat. They generally sport a bicolor or multicolor appearance that can be a variety of black, tan, and brown collages. Border Collies require weekly brushings, although besides this they require relatively little grooming. Besides occasional baths and trimming their nails, Border Collies are moderately low maintenance dogs to keep their clean appearance.

Health Concerns

Besides regular checks for ear infections and dental issues, Border Collies are known to be a generally healthy breed. While rare, some known health issues of this breed can include:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Progressive Renal Atrophy 
• Deafness
• Epilepsy
• Eye Health Anomalies
• Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis
• Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome

Interesting Facts of Border Collies

• Border Collies frequently top the list as the world’s most intelligent dog.
• With running speeds up to 30 mph, the Border Collie is one of the fastest breeds in the world.
• Fly, the dog who teaches a pig to herd sheep in the film Babe, was a Border Collie.
• “Collie” is the Scottish word for “Sheepdog”
• Celebrities such as Jon Bon Jovi, Anna Paquin, Tiger Woods, Ethan Hawke, and Queen Victoria are all devoted Border Collie owners.

Caring for Border Collies

The correct amount and type of food you should feed a Border Collie depends primarily on their age, weight, and activity level. Originally formulated to help performance dogs reach their maximum potential, Canine Ultimate Fitness & Health is a delicious, concentrated nutritional powder, providing a balanced blend of 55 nutrients your Berner needs for better health, increased activity, maximized performance, the prevention of age-related diseases, and ultimately a longer, healthier, and more enjoyable life.