Energetic, athletic, intelligent, overzealous, perceptive, loyal – this list of character traits could be repeated for the border collie continue almost at will.
You can already see: This dog is a special breed that is not only visually appealing.
What do you expect from the Border Collie should pay special attentionyou will now find out in our detailed breed portrait.
Border Collie Wanted Poster
Size Male: 48 to 56 cm, female: 46 to 53 cmWeightMale: 14 to 20 kg, female: 12 to 19 kgColorsBlack, White, Blue, Brown, Sable Merle, Red Merle. Blue Merle, Gold, Red, PurpleLife expectancy10 to 17 yearsOriginScotland, Irelandcharacter/temperamentintelligent, energetic, willing & able to learn, concentrated, faithful & loyal, persistent, stubborn, perceptive, athletic, people-oriented, overzealousFCI groupGroup 1: Herding dogs and cattle dogs (except Swiss Mountain Dogs), Section 1: Shepherd dogs. With work test.
Look
The Border Collie is a athletic dog.
This is also reflected in his athletic, lean and muscular body against that of long legs will be carried.
It is striking slim head with the large and triangular earsthe alert put up are.
Coat, coat texture & coat colors
The Border Collie’s coat is allowed in two variants: as longhair and as short stick hair.
The Border Collie covers regarding the Coat colors a wide range away. He is probably best known in the Combination black/ white.
In addition, according to the breed standard, these colors are also allowed: Red, gold, blue, various shades of brown as well as various Merle colorings.
Please note:
The Merle breeds are associated with serious medical conditionsthat above all the eyes and hearing of dogs concern! Yes, these colors are beautiful – but your furry friend probably won’t be one of the happiest dogs in the world.
eye colors
The eye colors are dependent on the coat color of the Border Collie.
Is there one here? Merle coloring before, the eyes are usually light blue or even almost white. For all other coat colors, the eyes are opposed dark brown.
Interesting
Also the nose color depends on the coat color. And so she can brown, black or Slate-grey be.
Height Weight
A Border Collie male weighs between 14 and 20 kilogramsand that at a shoulder height between 48 and 56 centimeters.
A female this race will be between 46 and 53 centimeters high and weighs between 12 and 19 kilograms.
History & Origin of the Border Collie
The Border Collie is – at least according to the name – a “border dog”.
It was bred for the first time in Region between England and Scotlandin fact on the Scottish side.
These herding dogs are one very old British breed. A first mention of the ancestors comes from the year 1576.
With the purposeful breeding of the Border Collie it should take a while.
This began only in the 19th centuryas ancestor of all Border Collies applies Old Hemp. The name Border Collie, in turn, originated in year 1915.
A good 60 years later – in 1976 – became the race officially recognized by the FCI.
Nature and character of the Border Collie
If you look deep into the Border Collie’s dark eyes, you know: you’re dealing with one here particularly bright ones and confident dog to do.
The Border Collie is also considered to be jock among the dogs – and so fast does that energetic dog concerning endurance and fitness nobody before.
That also applies to them intelligence. In fact, the Border Collie is one of the smartest dog breeds in the world.
He has one quick grasp, learns quickly and with concentration and put one in the process almost frightening ingenuity and overzealous on the day.
Nevertheless, this fur nose can also balanced temperament have and relax after an energetic day. And preferably with her human, with whom she develops a close bond.
Please note:
The border collie doesn’t appreciate being left alone – neither as a puppy nor as an adult dog.
attitude & upbringing
In the case of the Border Collie, it is particularly important that beingsthe temperament and the character massive on the attitude and the Upbringing affect.
attitude
Anyone who is considered a sports cannon and uncrowned endurance king needs two things for a happy dog life: space and movement.
With a housing will become the border collie only reluctantly content – and only if he has to see them from the inside as little as possible.
This breed needs exercise and fresh air.
Do you want to live with her? Then you should live in the country for the sake of your new roommate and have a sprawling and of course fenced garden have.
Upbringing
The Border Collie is also important when it comes to training various demands on you as the new owner.
Please bring here necessarily dog experience with! This race is not for dog newbies suitable!
There are many reasons for this, starting with the high intelligence and concentrationthat the Border Collie possesses.
He must be demandedin fact mentally and physically. But he needs one consistent leadership and very clear statements.
He will not obey orders and commands if they make no sense to him and are only expressed half-heartedly.
If education and socialization already take place in puppy age and both are successful, you can have a loyal and faithful companion be happy.
This one will not leave your side – because it is also considered a very affectionate and people-related.
Health & Care
Nobody is immune to one or the other ailment – not even the actually robust Border Collie.
As it is with him with the Health is ordered and what you at the Care should pay attention? You will find out in the following section.
Grooming & General Grooming
Just the Stock hair variant is by nature very easy to care for. A little more intensive, but still manageable, is the grooming of long hair.
Here you should regularly supported with the brush ready. This is how the fur retains its silky shine – and you also prevent tangles.
Not only the fur needs to be cared for. Caring for a Border Collie includes other important things.
First and foremost: the dog should dewormed regularly become. Other parasites shouldn’t get a chance either.
As little as he likes it: Once a year should he presented to the vet become routine only.
One Refresher of the most important vaccines should also be done.
Besides, you should eyes, ears, mouth and paws checked at regular intervals and cleaned if necessary.
Health
Bred as a herding and cattle dog, the Border Collie is used to being out and about in the fresh air.
This contributes to a strong immune system. Nonetheless there may be diseases typical of the breedwhich can cause problems for the Border Collie.
The sporty dog can suffer from joint problems, including hip dysplasia/HD.
In addition, there are predispositions for eye diseases and metabolic diseases. Here you should pay particular attention to:
Does the Border Collie come from a serious breedingthese breed-typical hereditary diseases should already be excluded here.
Our tip:
A responsible breeder you can definitely find it at VDH. Here they are Costs for a border collie puppy between €800 and €1,500.
Would you like to learn more about Border Collies and all the costs involved? Then take a look at our article How much does a Border Collie cost? All costs & prices explained! over.
Life expectancy
A healthy and fit Border Collie can be an average Age from 10 to 17 years to reach.
Is the Border Collie right for me?
First of all: If you have no dog experience yet, we unfortunately advise you against the Border Collie. Because he is not suitable as a beginner doghe’s too energetic for that.
As herding dog needs this breed tasks and occupations.
And one People who are active and sporty and can compete with this fur nose in terms of fitness and endurance.
In addition, the Border Collie is a species-appropriate upbringing good family dogwho will protect and guard his loved ones.
Fun facts about the Border Collie
Finally, there are a few more interesting and maybe too amusing side facts to the border collie.
The Border Collie is world famous for its «look». This is said to be so ‘terrifying’ that no sheep dares to step out of the herd line.
A poem, The Twa Dogs, was dedicated to the Border Collie Luath. Namely from the Scottish national poet Robert Burns.
Border Collies regularly break all kinds of records. Chaser is considered the smartest dog in the world, while Jumpy holds the record for dog skateboarding.
Border collies are great actors and have had an appearance in Hollywood films, among other things A piggy named Babe.
And speaking of Hollywood, the Border Collie is one of the popular celebrity breeds. His owners include Ethan Hawke, Jon Bon Jovi and Tiger Woods, among others.
Are you already the proud roommate of this great dog? Then we are sure that you can tell countless stories and experiences. We would be happy if you do that in the comments 😊