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Border Collie
Border Collie

Country of Origin: Great Britain

Group: Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)

Section: Sheepdogs

Original Function: sheep herding

Todays Function: sheep herding, herding trials, obedience

Dimension Male: 48-56 cm

Dimension Female: 46-53 cm

Weight Male: 14-20 kg

Weight Female: 12-19 kg

Litter Size: 4-8 puppies, average 6

Life span: 10-14 years

Other Names: none


Colors: Black/white, chocolate/white, red/white yellow/white,, blue/white slate,, lilac/white, sable/white,

Living: Not recommended for apartment life, they are best on a farm or acreage where they have the room to r

Recognized: ABC, AIBC, CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

Description

The Border Collie is a medium sized bundle of energy, looking rather like a lightly built Australian Shepherd without a bob-tail. The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The skull is fairly wide with a distinct stop. The muzzle tapers to the black nose. The ears are usually half-perked. The oval eyes are generally dark brown, except in merles where one or more eyes may be blue. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The tail reaches at least to the hock and is sometimes raised when the dog is excited. There are two varieties of Border Collie: one with coarse hair thick, straight, about 3 inches 7.6 cm., long,, and one with sleek hair about 1 inch 2.5 cm., long. The coat colors come in black and white, tri-color, red & white, black & gray, yellow, yellow & white, sable, and all black. The longer haired variety should have a mane and tail brush. The hair on the face, ears and front legs is always short and sleek. Since Border Collies are bred for working ability and intelligence rather than for physical beauty, conformation varies widely.

Temperament

The border collie is a bundle of mental and physical energy awaiting its chance to be unleashed on the world. Among the most intelligent and obedient of breeds, it is nonetheless a disastrous house dog if it is not given a challenging job every day. Given sufficient exercise, it is a dependable and loyal companion. It is intent on whatever it does and tends to stare, which can be unnerving to other animals. It also likes to chase other animals. It is reserved, even protective, toward strangers.

Excercise

Few dogs are as work-oriented as the border collie. This is a dog that needs a job. It needs a lot of physical and mental activity every day to satisfy its quest for work. It can live outdoors in temperate to cool climates, but it enjoys being with its family inside as well. This is a dog that cannot live in an apartment and that should preferably have ready access to a yard. Its coat needs brushing or combing twice weekly.

Grooming

The Border Collie needs regular combing and brushing to keep the coat gleaming. Extra care is needed when the soft, dense undercoat is shedding. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary. Check the ears and coat regularly for ticks. This breed is an averag

Health

Major concerns: CHD

Minor concerns: PRA, lens luxation, CEA, PDA, OCD, PPM

Occasionally seen: cerebellar abiotrophy, ceroid lipofuscinosis, deafness

Suggested tests: hip, eye