Border Collie

Considered to be one of the most intelligent breeds, the Border collie is a kind of herding dog. The worlds no.1 sheep herder this dog is very energetic and can also be considered hyper active. The Border collie is used all over the world in farms for their expert herding abilities. As domestic pets the Collie can be very protective and affectionate especially to family members and other people that they are introduced to and know well. Mental stimulation and physical exercise should be a part of the collie’s careful training.

Border collie’s are of medium size and have no extreme characteristics. Their coat is moderate and thus they don not shed too much hair. The collie can come in many colours with a double layered coat ranging from slick to lush. The most common colour combination is black and whit but these dogs can also be seen in red chocolate and white, black tan and white or red tan and white. Border collie’s are usually seen with a tri colour coat but can sometimes also have a solid coloured coat.

The Border collie’s are dogs that have varying physical characteristics. They can have different coloured eyes or even years that range from fully erect semi erect or fully drooped. These dogs are not much considered for their looks and are judged mainly on their working ability and attitude around the livestock. A border collie is usually 48 to 56 cms at the withers for the male and 46 to 53 cms for the female.

Border collie’s are among the breed of dogs that thrive on pleasing their owners and are very loving and affectionate dogs. They have an instinctive ability to work closely with a human handler and are otherwise very intelligent dogs. The collie has for years been a working dog but is now becoming more and more popular as a domestic pet. Remaining true to their working nature the collie is a very energetic and demanding pet that needs a lot of exercise and play time with other dogs or humans. They are thus better suited for adoption in houses that have large yards or ample space for their pet to play. The Collie is more than happy when they have some work to do. The work doesn’t necessarily mean herding it can also be just playing a game of fetch or catching a Frisbee. As long as they are in the working position of having their tails tucked and crouching down they consider it work. In the right atmosphere the collie makes an excellent pet for the owner who is willing to actively engage the dog. They make great companions for the right kind of family.

Epilepsy, hip dysplasia and collie eye anomaly are some of the common health problems that a Border collie faces. The collie has a considerably long life span of 9 to 17 years with an average of 12 years. The leading cause of death is old age and cancer.