The Border Collie is the Swiss army knife, the bagel of the canine world. Anything you want it to do, it can do easily, then ask it what’s next on your to-do list. Although considered by many authorities to be the smartest breed in the world, no one calls the Border Collie low maintenance.
That’s a lot of dog to handle in an average sized pack. Not every Ford driver can handle a full-gas Maserati, and not every casual pet owner can keep a Border Collie content and engaged. Here are seven fun facts about this super dog.
History of the border collie
The Border Collie originated in the border country between Scotland and England, where herding selection of shepherds was based on cooperative stock acumen and the ability to work long days in rough terrain. This selective breeding developed the Border Collie’s unique working style of herding and retrieving stock in a wide and fast manner, then controlling it with an intense gaze called an “eye” and a stalking style of motion. As the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard states, “Breeding based on this working ability made this breed the world’s premier herding dog, a job for which the Border Collie is still used all over the world”.
Versatility, your name is Border Collie
Border Collie experts and the AKC standard agree that this breed “is and should remain a true, natural, undisturbed working herding dog.” Not only is the Border Collie a superior stock herder, but they have proven to be formidable competitors in performance tests such as obedience, agility, rallying, dock diving, and tracking. Pretty much the only activity the Border Collie hasn’t perfected, or even claims to be good at, is that of a lazy couch potato.
Exercise requirements
Due to the breed’s working heritage, Border Collies are demanding and energetic. They do best in households that can give them plenty of exercise and play, with humans or with other canine companions.
Due to their great need for mental stimulation, many Border Collies will develop problematic behaviors in homes unable to meet these demands. To remedy their boredom, Border Collies have been known to punch holes in walls and furniture, digging, and other destructive activities. Border Collie rescue clubs and groups advise anyone considering the breed to first ensure they can provide the necessary exercise as a suitable outlet for the Border’s high energy and stamina.
A working Border typically works several hours a day, using their personality and intelligence to control difficult livestock. The breed becomes distressed and frustrated if left isolated, ignored or inactive. They can be motion sensitive and pursue moving vehicles and bicycles, a behavior that can be corrected with proper training. Border Collies will also express a strong desire to babysit small children, cats, and dogs.
Show vs Work vs Performance
Border Collies from dog show lines will look the most alike because their breeders produce dogs that meet a written standard that describes the ideal Border Collie in terms of size, build, head and body shape and general appearance. Those of the working lines will show the least uniformity, as it is the dog’s stamina and herding ability that is valued most, and physical appearance is of little importance. Border Collies from performance lines, bred to excel in agility, rallying and other canine sports, will fall somewhere in between.
More than black and white
While the vast majority of Border Collies seen are black and white, the breed comes in all colors, combinations, and markings. The AKC standard states that “All colors should be judged equally, no color or pattern being preferred over another.” You’ll find Border Collies in tricolor, chocolate, blue and blue merle, and red in all shades from copper to blond.
Border Collies also come in two coat lengths. Tight-fitting, dense, weather-resistant double coats are necessary in both cases, but the more common coarse-haired variety has feathering on the forelegs, chest and hips, while the smooth variety has a short coat over the whole body, usually coarser. texture than the rough.
Border Collie in the media
Few breeds have been seen more often on TV and in movies than the Border Collie, and that visibility has certainly played a big part in their popularity. Besides Borders in several dozen television commercials, Bandit is remembered from the television series little house on the prairie and Shep, the star of the British children’s show blue stone. Border Collies on the big screen included Nana in snow dogs, Fly
In Babejesse in farm animalRaffles in the anime Dangerfield Prowlerand Mike in Descent and exit to Beverly Hills.
Celebrities cross the border
Not surprisingly, many actors, singers, musicians, and sports personalities are passionate about their Border Collies. The star-studded list includes James Dean, Anna Paquin, Tiger Woods, Dierks Bentley, Jerry Seinfeld, Ethan Hawke and Jon Bon Jovi.
