Dog Breeds

Border Collie

  • Breed Overview

    Frequency of shedding

    Drooling

    Grooming

    Interaction with kids

    Compatibility with other pets

    Attitude towards family

    Social behavior

    Training level

    Adaptability

    Activity rate

    Physical activity requirements

    Barking tendencies

    Breathing concerns

Dog Breeds

Border Collie

If you have an active lifestyle and seek a companion with an independent nature, the Border Collie is an ideal choice. Renowned for its exceptional intelligence, unwavering loyalty, and boundless energy, this breed boasts a strong work ethic and captures the hearts of dog enthusiasts worldwide. Although this is often promoted by the breed’s high level of intelligence, effective socialization, and proper training are essential for managing the Border Collie’s innate instincts.

The Main Characteristics:

  • Loving nature
  • High intelligence
  • Endurance
  • Speed
  • vitality
  • Shepherd’s instinct
  • Exemplary work ethic
  • Alertness
  • Trainability
  • Detailed Information

    Size

    Female Border Collies typically stand between 46 and 53 centimeters tall, while males typically range from 48 to 56 centimeters in height. In terms of length, females measure between 71 and 81 centimeters, while males typically range from 74 to 86 centimeters.

    Weight

    The weight of a Border Collie can vary depending on factors such as genetics, diet, and overall health. Typically, adult male Border Collies weigh between 14 and 20 kilograms, while females tend to be slightly lighter, ranging from 12 to 19 kilograms.

    Lifespan

    The life expectancy of a Border Collie ranges from 12 to 15 years and is equivalent to about 69-83 years of human life. However, remember, these figures are only conditional, and the life expectancy of your important family member depends on his healthy lifestyle and harmonious living environment.

    Fur

    The Border Collie’s two-layer coat consists of a short, dense undercoat and a relatively long outer coat. This type of fur effectively protects the Border Collie from the harmful effects of environmental conditions.

  • Border Collie Personality

    The unique combination of intelligence, athleticism, and loyalty make the Border Collie an invaluable addition to any family. Beyond their impressive physical abilities, the Border Collie has an unparalleled ability to learn and solve problems. Exemplary ethics and endurance have made this important family member one of the most versatile and efficient working breeds.

    Known for its tireless energy, endurance, and hard work, this species is one of the most active companion animals. Therefore, due to their strong instincts and excessive energy, just like Mongrel dogs, it is especially difficult to keep a Border Collie in city conditions. 

  • Potential Health Problems

    Peripheral neuropathy

    Peripheral neuropathy is caused by damage to the peripheral nerves. This process is often accompanied by weakness, decreased sensitivity, difficulty in movement, and pain. Regular veterinary check-ups can help detect neurological problems early and effectively manage the disease.

    Peripheral neuropathy may be caused by a genetic predisposition, traumatic injury, infection, exposure to toxins, or metabolic problems. Another cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. Since obesity contributes to the development of diabetes in companion animals, we recommend that you pay due attention to the weight of your beloved friend and keep it within the norm. Providing a safe environment is another preventative measure that can help reduce stress and prevent peripheral neuropathy.

    Epilepsy 

    Epilepsy is a disease of the central nervous system, which causes disturbances in the activity of nerve cells in the brain. Epileptic episodes usually last for a few seconds or minutes. Epilepsy prevention measures include maintaining a consistent routine and minimizing stress. However, remember that timely veterinary attention and initiation of appropriate medical treatment are the best ways to manage this disease.

    Glaucoma

    Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes increased intraocular pressure and damage to the optic nerve. In the initial stages of glaucoma, the vision of companion animals deteriorates, and over time, it may lead to incurable blindness.

    Although glaucoma is difficult to prevent, regular veterinary check-ups and eye health diagnostics can significantly help detect the disease at an early stage and effectively guide the treatment process. A diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E will greatly help your important family member maintain eye health.

    Hip dysplasia

    Hip dysplasia is a medical term that refers to a partial or complete loss of the hip joint. Most companion animals, including the Border Collie, Cane Corso, and Irish Setter, have hip dysplasia from birth. Hip dysplasia can cause bone wear and tear and pain associated with this process. Most companion animals have hip dysplasia from birth. If hip dysplasia is diagnosed at an early stage, you can easily correct the problem. In other cases, surgery may be needed to reposition the bones.

    Although genetics play an important role in the development of this disease, maintaining a healthy weight is especially important to reduce stress on the joints. Daily walking and swimming will help to form the muscles around the pelvis and maintain their strength.

  • Nutrition & Feeding

    Border Collies need food rich in proteins and fats, however, carbohydrates are no less important for the well-being of our dear companion animal. In addition to providing balanced food with high nutritional value, to ensure the health of the companion animal, it is recommended to enrich its body with vitamins and minerals. In addition to improving cognitive health and vision, getting your beloved companions omega-3s can help ease joint discomfort.

    Due to the genetic predisposition to problems related to bone development, it is advisable to avoid dry food with a high-fat content for an important member of our family. Remember that the amount of food offered to your furry friend should be determined by a nutritionist based on his weight, energy level, age, and health.

  • History of Origin

    In the 1800s, shepherds living in the border regions of Scotland and England bred companion animals gifted with exceptional intelligence and instincts and the origin of the Border Collie breed is related exactly to this process. While the word “border” is derived from the English language, the word “Collie” comes from the Scottish and refers to a “helpful”.

    The Border Collie has worked alongside Scottish and English shepherds for hundreds of years. All this time, some local breeders were afraid that by concentrating on the appearance of the Border Collie, the unique qualities of the breed might be forgotten, therefore, in the process of selection, they focused on improving the working qualities of the breed.