1. Are Border Collies Hyper and Destructive?
2. I heard border Collies aren't good with children ?
3. How do I know if A Border Collie is right for me ?
4. Does a male or a female make a difference?
5. Why do so many Border Collies look different?
6. Where can I find more information on Border Collies?

Are Border Collies Hyper and Destructive?

The activity of Border Collies can vary greatly depending on the age bloodline and how the puppy was raised.  Border Collies bred strictly for and from strong drive dogs can be a bit intense and not make good pets. 

The general rule is that Border Collies are an active breed requiring regular exercise and mental stimulation.  Board and neglected Border Collies can become destructive and a bit compulsive in their behavior.  A well trained, well stimulated border collie can and does make a good companion.

It is however important that puppies be raised from knowledgeable breeders that are screened for their temperament and placed in homes that match their personality, drive and activity levels

 

I heard Border Collies aren't good with children ?

The general nature of the Border Collie and Children can in some cases not be a good match.  Small children often run uncontrollably, squeal scream and jump and hop around.  Very active children can be quite a lot for a border collie to handle.  The constant motion of children can excite a border collie because their herding instincts are very linked to motion.  When the herding instinct is excited some border collies may chase, bark and nip at children.

However, this is not the case with all border collies.  Just like any behavior trait within any given bloodline, or litter of puppies some will have a stronger instinct than others. Through proper screening the correct puppy can be chosen for a family with well behaved children.  However, if your children are out of control, a border collie, no matter how well bred or screened is possibly not a good match.  Border Collies are very smart and they will easily see a situation without a pack leader and will establish themself as the leader.

Border Collies and children especially older (7+) get along famously.  They become constant companions.  Border Collies love to fetch, play tug of war and climb and jump.  Just like older children, and they become the best of friends.

 

How do I know if a border Collie is right for me?

Here are the basic criteria for deciding if a border collie is right for you.  If you do not meet 2 or more criteria, a border collie should not be considered without consulting an experienced breeder.

• You live in a home, not an apartment with a relatively large well fenced yard away from busy highways and streets.
• You have anywhere from 4 to 8 hours a day to devote to the care, training and socialization of a border collie
• You are willing to use a crate when your border collie can not be directly supervised.  This is for the dogs own safety, border collies left to do as they please can injure themselves or because of their great intelligence get into things that can be dangerous.
• You lead an active lifestyle that would include my border collie.  Activities that border collies love, hiking, biking, swimming, frisbee, fetch, boating, camping etc.  Border Collies love to "Go"  whether it is a ride a round the block or a cross country trip they enjoy being a part of the action.
• You have owned one or more dogs in the past, and have successfully trained them in basic obedience.
• You have the financial means to provide high quality nutrition, competent medical care, obedience training, regular grooming and lots of mind stimulating toys.
• Everyone in the household is excited, and willing participants in the decision to obtain a border collie.
• You are willing to commit to providing a lifelong home for a border collie regardless of relocation, illness, additions to your family or death of a family member.

 

Does a male or a female make a difference?

Everyone seems to have an opinion on which sex of a dog makes a better pet.  Common misconceptions include:

• Females are easier to housetrain.
• Males are more affectionate.
• Females are better working/performance dogs.
• Males will lift their leg in your home.
• Females have messy seasons.
• Males are more aggressive/protective.
• Females only get along with males, and vise versa.
• Males like women better and females like men better.

Every statement above can be true in some instances, but that depends more on the personality of the puppy rather than the sex.  Most of these traits can be eliminated by selecting the right puppy and through having them spayed or neutered.  Spayed and Neutered dogs make the best pets no matter what the sex.  If you have your heart set on one sex over the other for a "pet" you may well miss out on the best pet of your life.

 

Why Do so many Border Collies Look Different ?

The simplest answer for this question is that Border collies haven't been bred for looks.  They have been bred for their intelligence, and herding ability and not the way they look.

Border Collies come in nearly every color.  Black, Red, Chocolate, Lilac, Blue, Sable, and cream.  They can be with or without the classic white markings on the legs, neck, and face to different degrees.  They can also have tan points over their eyes, cheeks and legs.  They can have black or solid colored freckles on any portion of their body that is white.  They can also be merle with any of the solid colors dominant.

The coat length can vary from that of a very short coat, nearly as short as a boxer to more of a coat like a lab.  They can have medium coat or even a very heavy coat like a Rough Collie.  The texture of the coat can vary from straight to wavy to almost curly.  The coat can be soft or more harsh. 

Border Collies can have any and every ear set imaginable.  Prick ears, semi pricked ears, rose ears.  Drop ears are not a trait that is considered desirable in the breed.  The great thing about border collies is that their ears don't have to match.  One can be prick and the other not and be perfectly acceptable.

Different sizes, and builds of border collies were bred for herding in different terrain, and for different livestock.  Bigger heavier boned dogs were used with cattle and larger livestock.  Smaller more athletic dogs were used on fast sheep and over tough harsh terrain.

 

Where can I find more information about Border Collies?

• WEB INFORMATION - There are hundreds if not thousands of websites dedicated to dogs.  Information abounds on the internet.  I find it useful when looking for information about the Border Collie to first consider the source.  If it a breeder, a club or other it is best to verify the information among several different sites and take the best information available.  Below are listed several site that provide good accurate information about the Border Collie.  These sites have an emphasis on history, health and genetics, training, temperament and appearance/standard.
  • American Border Collie Association
  • Border Collie Society
  • The Border Collie Museum
• BOOKS - There have been hundreds of books published about the Border Collie throughout the years.  Below I have listed some that I found to be especially useful when first researching the breed.  They contain mostly general information about the breed, it's history and health.  Some do contain information on herding, trialing and breeding of Border Collies.
  • Border Collies: A Complete Pet Owner's Manual by Michael Devine (Barrons, 1997)
  • The Ultimate Border Collie by Alison Hornsby (John Wiley & Sons, 1998)
  • The Working Border Collie by Janet Quarton & Carole Presberg (TFH, 1998)
  • The Complete Border Collie by Barbara Swann (Ringpress Books, 2002)
• MAGAZINES - There are a few magazines dedicated to the Border Collie.  Most are dedicated primarily to herding.  However, the will have articles on other topics from time to time. For more information on the contact information for these magazines please contact me directly.
  • AMERICAN BORDER COLLIE, THE RANCH DOG TRAINER, THE WORKING BORDER COLLIE, INC., WORKING SHEEP DOG NEWS.