Border Collie
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 Description:
The Border Collie is an alert, intelligent and
active herder which descended from droving and
gathering breeds originating on the Scottish and
English border. There are several publications
from the end of the nineteenth century where the
description 'Collie' or 'Colley' is first mentioned.
It is believed that every current Border Collie
traces back to a dog known as Old Hemp. Old Hemp
was a tri-color dog that was born in 1893 and
died in 1901.
The Border Collie is a medium-sized dog, well-balanced
dog known more for its ability as working dog
before physical beauty. They are referred to as
the 'world's premier sheep herding dog' because
of their exceptional herding abilities.
The Border Collie was given the Herding Group
designation and was fully recognized by the AKC
on October 1, 1995.
Height: The
height for a Border Collie dog is 19-22 inches
(48-56 cm.) and for bitches 18-21 inches (46-53
cm.)
Weight: The
weight for a Border Collie dog is 30-45 pounds
(14-20 kg.) and for bitches 27-42 pounds (12-19
kg.)
Coat Type: The
Border Collie's double coat is weather-resistant
and can be anywhere from slick to lush. The top
coat can be either straight or wavy with a coarser
texture than the undercoat which is soft, short
and dense. The Border Collie's coat needs regular
grooming and brushing to help keep it in good
shape. The Border Collie is an average shedder.
Color: The Border
Collie can come in many colors, although black
and white is by far the most common. Black tricolor
(black/tan/white), red and white, and red tricolor
(red/tan/white) also occur regularly, with other
colors such as blue cream and yellow white, red
merle, blue merle, "Australian red"/gold,
and sable seen less frequently. Solid Black is
also seen.
Temperament:
The Border Collie is a highly-energetic, intelligent
working stock dog. It's very important to know
these dogs need constant attention and plenty
of daily exercise - both physically and mentally.
Many owners are not aware of this and end up giving
their dogs to shelters or rescue groups. The Border
Collie breed excels in various sports such as
agility skills, obedience, and sheepdog trials.
Health Problems:
Border Collies are generally a healthy breed.
However, primary genetic diseases some are prone
to include hip dysplasia, PRA and an eye disease
common to Collies known as Collie Eye Anomaly.
Elbow dysplasia or osteochondritis, deafness,
and hypothyroidism may also occur in the breed.
Many Border Collies are allergic to fleas.
Special Interest:
• The Border Collie was featured in the
hit movie, Babe.
• The Border Collie was first classified
as a "Scotch Sheep Dog".
• This Border Collie is often recognized
as 'collies," but they are also referred
to as working collie,
old-fashioned collie, and farm collie.
Classifications:
AKC: Herding Group
ANKC: Working Dogs - Group 5
CKC: Herding - Group 7
FCI: Group 1 Section 1 Sheepdogs
KC: Pastoral Group
NZKC: Working
UKC: Herding Dog Group
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