Border collie

Border collie Other Names

Entlebucher Sennenhund

Border collie Native Country

Great Britain

Border collie Breed Description

Head: Moderately long skull. Strong, relatively short muzzle. Distinct stop. Black, brown, or dark gray nose, according to coat color.
Ears: Medium size, set well apart, and carried erect or semi-erect.
Eyes: Oval, set well apart. Brown color except for merles, which may have blue eyes.
Body: Well-balanced and athletic. Strong neck. Ribs well sprung. Muscular loin. Moderately broad chest, well let down.
Tail: Moderately long. Set low, curving slightly up at the tip.
Hair: There are two varieties, the rough coat, which has a mane, culottes, and fox tail (brush), and the smooth coat. In both varieties, the coat is dense and of medium texture; dense, soft undercoat.
Coat: Generally pied, with white collar, blaze, and socks, with the remainder of the coat being black. All colors permissible, but white must not be the dominant color.
Size: Dog: 50 to 55 cm.Bitch: 47 to 52 cm.
Weight: 15 to 20 kg.
Group: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)

Border collie History

It is thought that the Border Collie’s ancestors are Nordic breeds that guarded reindeer herds. When they arrived on the British Isles with the Vikings, they were crossed with local sheepdogs. The Border Collie was named after the region where the breed was developed, the hilly border country between England and Scotland. The most common of the collies, the Border Collie still has the same duties today as he did in the eighteenth century—guarding the herd. The breed was not standardized until the nineteenth century. It was recognized by the Kennel Club of England in 1976 and by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1985. The Border Collie was introduced in France in 1970.

Border collie Behavior

This energetic, eager, dog is very gentle by nature, though is a tenacious worker. He is exceptionally devoted to his owner and is easy to train because he is alert and highly intelligent. The Border Collie is reserved toward strangers, but is not shy or aggressive. This breed has a keen sense of smell, but it is best known for its ability to «eye,» a skill that he uses to will sheep to move and turn. While working with his owner, the dog crouches a short distance from a sheep and stares intently into its eyes, seeming to hypnotize it; he then slowly creeps up like a hunting dog. The Border Collie is the best represented breed at herding trials.

Border collie Advice

This dog is a sheepdog through and through and must remain as such. His training begins around the age of six months and can last one or two years. He does not adapt well to urban living, though can adapt rather easily to life as a family pet. This tireless sheepdog requires daily exercise. No special grooming or other care is required.

Border collie Function

Sheepdog. This dog’s inborn skills and breeding make it the ideal herder, which it should remain.