The border collie is considered the most intelligent dog in the world, according to Stanley Coren, the professor and neuropsychological researcher of the famous book "The Intelligence of Dogs", published in 1994. The border collie is a breed canine that stands out for having a wide learning capacity in different areas: basic canine obedience, advanced, canine skills, herding or Agility among others.
But beyond his intellect, the border collie stands out from other dog breeds for the strong bond he creates with his handlers, his remarkable beauty and his predisposition for physical exercise. Although the border collie dog is not a suitable breed for everyone, it is a dog with many qualities that are worth knowing, especially if we are great dog lovers.
Origin of the border collie
Although the origin of the border collie dog breed is somewhat uncertain, it is known that it was developed and officially recognized in the British Isles. Some archaeological remains found indicate that the direct ancestors of some dog breeds, including the border collie, arrived in the British Isles between the 5th and 1st centuries before Christ holding the hand of Celtic tribes In fact, it is suspected that his name could come from the language of these communities, since "collie" means "useful" in Gaelic.
These tribes settled in Ireland, however, the border collie that we know today was developed between Scotland and England. Celtic dogs crossed with native UK dogs, giving way to various types of collie sheepdogs, such as the bearded collie, one of the direct ancestors of the border collie dogs.
In fact, his name literally means "border collie" for settlements located between the borders of Scotland and England. Already at that time he stood out as a shepherd dog to guide cattle, a job that he still performs today due to his agility and intelligence.
It was not until the 20th century when the different canine organizations, such as the International Cinological Federation[1] or the Kennel Club [2], began to recognize the border collie dog breed asofficial and standardized
Border Collie Characteristics
The characteristics of the Border Collie are slightly similar to those of the Australian Shepherd. For this reason, many lovers of both breeds of dogs want more information about the differences between a border collie and an Australian shepherd.
The border collie breed stands out for being tremendously agile, with an ideal physical shape for exercising, jumping and running. The males usually measure about 53 centimeters to the withers and the females somewhat less, as is usual in many dog breeds. Likewise, they can weigh up to 20 kilograms and show a elongated body and a very dynamic.
The border collie has very specific characteristics, such as muscular legs that denote a predisposition for exercise. The end of the tail always ends in shades of white and its snout ends in a point with a nose that can be black or brown. As for the ears, we can observe three different types such as the drooping, semi-drooping or upright, all of them have just added a distinctive touch. On the other hand, although the color of their usual eyes is usually brown, on some occasions the border collie has one eye of each color, blue and brown, or both blue.
Border Collie Colors
Although the image that comes to mind when we think of the border collie tends to be that of a dog with a dense and beautiful coat, the truth is that there are two different varieties in terms of the type of hair: the dog long-haired border collie and the short-haired border collie In both cases, the dog has a double layer of dense hair that protects it from the cold and wind, a soft inner layer and a rougher outer layer. In this way, the only difference between them lies in the length of the coat, since a wide range of colors is accepted for both, such as:
- Black and white border collie.
- Brown and white border collie.
- Black, brown and white border collie.
- Border collie white and tan.
There are also blue, chocolate or Australian red shepherd collies, as well as merle border collies.
Border Collie character
This is one of the dog breeds that stand out the most in terms of activity and energy For this reason, many people consider that It is a dog that should only live in rural environments. However, a good routine of walks, exercise and stimulation can turn it into a dog that adapts perfectly to life in a city.
The adoption of border collie dogs is recommended for active families, with a passion for sports, dog training or hiking. In addition, it requires a family nucleus that can dedicate time and the stimulation that it so much needs. The full potential of the breed will be greatly benefited by the skills of the caretaker, he will be rewarded with an obedient, herding, indefatigable and orderly dog
So we are talking about a dog that needs time and dedication, unlike other calmer breeds. The lack of these elements makes the Border Collie a destructive, hyperactive, anxious, nervous and even excessively barking dog. Negative behaviors are caused by anxiety you may feel from lack of energy or boredom.
On the other hand, the border collie is a dog very loyal to his human companions, very intelligent and a natural observer who quickly understands how to express people's pain, happiness and excitement. With his family, the border collie will be accommodating and tender, while with strangers he can be shy and reserved.
If you wonder if the character of the border collie is compatible with children, you should know that any balanced and he althy dog that understands the limits of the game with the little ones and that understands the tranquility they need, it is perfect to play with children. We recommend marked objectives such as fetching the ball, doing circuits or another type of activity that enhances both the child's creativity and the dog's stimulation. Children should also be taught how to treat animals and what they should or should not do. It is a very important factor for creating a good bond.
Being a disciplined dog, it will be very easy to educate him as a sheepdog, since you have an intelligent dog that will understand that he should not harm the lambs at all, only direct them. The behavior he assumes with other dogs and other animals is also incredible, in addition to being respectful he is usually the leader of the pack due to his mental abilities.
Border collie care
As we have already mentioned in previous sections, it is a very active dog. For this reason we recommend a minimum of between 3 and 4 walks a day, combining relaxation, sniffing and physical exercise. In addition, you cannot miss mental stimulation in your daily routine through intelligence toys, mental stimulation exercises or smell. We can carry out these activities about three times a week, in this way we will ensure that he is mentally active and stimulated.
In your day-to-day life you can't miss a quality food, adapted to your physical needs and your stage of life that ensures a complete nutritional value and that, in addition, has repercussions on a good state of he alth and a shiny and he althy coat. If you are not sure what type of food to choose, we advise you to find out about the best feed on the market or, on the contrary, start with raw BARF diets.
On the other hand, both long-haired and short-haired Border Collies need to follow a brushing routine in which they Include at least three per week to remove dead hair and reveal a shiny, shiny coat. The baths should be every month and a half so that it does not lose its natural layer of protection.
Border Collie Education
Thanks to the study conducted by Stanley Coren indicating that the border collie is the most intelligent dog in the world, it has been shown that this dog breed takes an average of five exercises in learning a new command. While the general average of dogs with lower intelligence is between 30 and 40 repetitions. Obviously this learning time is very relative and, therefore, not all border collies learn in the same way.
To obtain the results mentioned and enjoy a balanced dog, it is essential to follow the methods of positive trainingLikewise, although it is usually a sociable breed with the rest of the dogs, the border collie puppy must be socialized with other animals, people and new environments. From five or six months of age, you can begin to practice basic training commands with your border collie and, once well assimilated, move on to the advanced ones to stimulate him mentally and prevent him from feeling frustrated. In this sense, another highly recommended way to stimulate the mind of this breed of dog is through skills and canine sports such as Agility.
Learning to motivate him is very important, for this we can reward him with different treats, take him to new places to practice or have him have different toys.
Border Collie He alth
In recent years, the border collie dog has experienced a growing and excessive popularity, which has caused many individuals and illegal breeders to significantly increase the population of this breed without having the appropriate knowledge to ensure a good upbringing of the puppies.
All this has had a very negative impact on the breed, causing an increase in hereditary diseases and the appearance of certain behavioral problems, most of them related to aggressiveness and fear.
Next we will show you the most common border collie diseases:
- Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
- Deafness
- Waterfalls
- Ataxia
- Hip dysplasia
- Lens dislocation
- Microphthalmia
- Chronic Superficial Keratitis
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Idiopathic epilepsy
Both to avoid them and to detect them early, it is recommended to visit the vet regularly, as well as follow the mandatory vaccination schedule and deworm the dog internally and externally on a regular basis. If it receives all the care it needs, follows a proper diet and exercises, the life expectancy of the border collie is between 14 and 17 years
Where to adopt a border collie?
As you have seen, border collie dogs are a very special breed of dog, capable of giving joy and love at home. However, adopting a border collie also carries with it a series of responsibilities, especially if we are interested in adopting a border collie puppy.
To find border collie dogs for adoption, we recommend you consult the animal and protection associations in your area. In addition, many associations specialize in rescuing and putting specific dog breeds up for adoption, so we also encourage you to check if any of them exist in your city or country.
Curiosities
- The popularity of the Border Collie breed began with the love of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, Great Britain and Ireland, who owned various specimens.
- The Border Collie ranks 1 on Stanley Coren's The intelligent Dogs list.
- Chaser, a very intelligent Border was able to identify 1,022 different types of toys and bring them to her master's feet
