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Border Collie Dog Breed Introduction
Border Collie is a medium-sized herding dog that originated from Britain. This breed is popular for its intense gaze which controls its flock. Border Collies appear just in any colors that are permissible by the breed’s standard, although Black and White is the most common. Originally, bred as herding dogs, Border Collies still enjoy this role throughout the world. Over the years, the breed has become popular as a companion dog.
The American Border Collie Association recommends that potential pet parents should be able to provide regular exercise and mental stimulation which is not met through brisk walk and playtime before taking this breed as a house pet. The preferred form of exercise is participating in dog events and activities like agility, obedience, sheepdog trials, herding, and disc dog.
Border Collie Origin | History
Border Collies were developed in the border country between England and Scotland now known as Britain. The probable place been along the Anglo-Scottish border. The name of this breed also reflects partial Scottish heritage because of the word Collie which means Sheep in Scottish dialect.
There are two theories that support the existence of Border Collies. One of the theory states that this breed was developed from landrace collies, a type of dog widely found in the British Isles. The second theory credits the origin of this breed from the old Roman dogs and Viking spitzes. Old Roman dogs were brought to Britain after the Roman Empire conquered Britain. Later on, Viking raiders also invaded Britain after the slow dissolution of the Roman Empire.
Viking raiders came along with their dogs, spitz-type herders that crossed with the Old Roma dogs to produce ancestors of Border Collies. Over the years, these dogs have earned the title of the greatest herders of the world. Border Collies have won in the competitive sheepdog trials over a century in the British Isles. AKC registered this breed under the club’s herding group in October 1995.
Border Collie Lifespan
According to AKC, Border Collies have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Although, some live longer to the age of 16, 17, and 18 years.
Border Collie Grooming | Grooming Needs
A Border Collie may have a smooth coat (short and coarser) or a rough coat( feathered and medium-length). Both coat varieties are double-layered with waterproof coats. Fortunately, both smooth coated and rough coated Border Collies need the same grooming needs. This is an advantage for DIY(do it yourself) pet owners. Border Collie dogs shed all-year round. To keep the coat looking healthy and glossy, use an undercoat rake and pin brush to remove loose hair thrice a week.
Regular brushing evenly distributes the oil present in the coat and promotes new hair growth. As with double-coated breeds, Border Collies also blow off their coats once or twice a year during seasonal change. During the heavy shedding season, brush the coat on a daily basis to prevent tangles or mats and confine the loose hair in the brush that would otherwise spread around the house.
Border Collies have little doggy odor and will need a bath once every 6 to 8 weeks unless it rolls into something stinky. Before bathing your pooch, brush the coat to remove loose hair, dirt, or debris. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner. After bathing a Border Collie, use warm water to thoroughly rinse off the shampoo and conditioner from the coat to prevent skin irritation. Frequent baths more than the recommended times dry off the natural oils of the coat resulting in poor skin and coat. Although, the possibility of Border Collies getting dirty due to their nature of work is high, resist bathing your dog frequently. Regular brushing and wiping the coat with a clean damp washcloth will do.
Clean the ears on a weekly basis using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls while checking for odor, dark discharge, and redness that are symptoms of ear infection. Avoid washing the face of Border Collies using soapy water. Make use of a damp washcloth. Clip the nails every 3 to 5 weeks to prevent overgrowth, discomfort, cracking, and splitting. Clean Border Collies teeth twice a week using a tasty doggy toothpaste and finger toothbrush if not on a daily basis.
Border Collie Grooming Tools
When grooming Border Collies you will use various grooming tools including hypoallergenic shampoo, conditioner, clean damp washcloth, pin brush, undercoat rake, tasty doggy toothpaste, finger toothbrush, nail clippers, ear cleanser solution, and cotton balls.
Border Collie Grooming Styles
At no time, should a pet parent shave the coat of a smooth coated or rough coated Border Collie. Shaving interferes with the delicate balance of insulating this breed from cold and keeping their body cool during warm seasons. If shaved, the coat may never look the same. However, the standard show cut allows trimming of feathery hair around the back of the legs and feet for a neat appearance.
Border Collie Shedding | Shedding Level | Shedding Season
Border Collies are double-coated dogs that experience heavy shedding season during spring and/or fall. This is when the undercoat is blown off due to seasonal change. These dogs also shed all-year round at low to moderate levels. Regular brushing at least thrice a week and daily during the shedding season is required. Brushing removes the loose hair from the coat and confines it in the brush.
Border Collie Coat | Coat Type | Hair
A Border Collie may have a smooth coat or rough coat. The smooth coated variety has shorter and coarse fur/hair while the Rough-coated variety has medium-length and feathery fur/hair. Both smooth-coated and rough-coated varieties have a water resistant double coat.
Border Collie Hypoallergenic
It is one of the breed that is not considered hypoallergenic. Border Collies have a double coat that sheds hair and dander all-year round. Dog’s dander, saliva, mucus, hair, and urine contain a protein allergen that results in allergic inflammation in people who suffer from dog allergies.
Border Collie Training | Training Tips | Training Tricks
This is a highly trainable bred that is intelligent. In order to raise a well-mannered and well-adjusted Border Collie socialize your dog from the age of 8 weeks until it is 7 months old. Socialization exposes your dog to a wide variety of animals, people, sights, movements, situations, experiences, smell, and sounds like vacuum cleaners, washing machine, sirens, whistles, and lawn mowers.
Naturally, Border Collies have herding instincts and therefore will react to 90% of the movement and sounds in their surroundings. Therefore, socialization is key to enhancing your pooch to discern better what he supposed to herd. This will minimize running after moving cars, bicycles, etc. and trying to herd children and other small animals. Enrolling your dog in puppy classes will also help with this training. Puppy classes also help pet parents to identify and correct bad habits such as growling when someone approaches the food bowl.
As for all intelligent dogs, they easily get distracted and dislike repetition. To avoid boredom, keep the training sessions short, exciting, and fun for a period of utmost 15 minutes. Use positive reinforcement methods such as the use of treats, praise, and toys. Border Collies are sensitive to every cue that their pet parents do, therefore, avoid harsh correction methods such as yelling and beating.
Remember to teach basic command words like come, sit, stay, stop, leave it, and No one at a time. For positive outcome, be consistent on how you utter the command words. AKC recommends that Border Collies should enroll in Obedience Classes which may go on for their entire lives especially for companion pets. For effective house breaking, creating a feeding schedule, crate training, and potty training is recommended.
A Crate is a safe place for a pet to retreat to for some alone time. This device also helps a Border Collie to learn to stay alone for a little while. Making the crate appealing through the use of treats, toys, and lining the crate with a comfortable blanket. At no time, should a crate be used to punish Border Collies or any other dog breed.
When at home, the crate door should always be left open, so that the pooch may understand that it is not a forced experience. Avoid holding a Border Collie in the crate for extended period of time since it will result in behavior issues. This is an outdoor dog that should have plenty of physical and mental stimulation.
Border Collie Training Treats
As earlier discussed Border Collies thrive on positive reinforcements methods such as the use of treats and toys. When training fill your pocket with tiny pieces of your dog’s favorite treat. Treats should have low fat content with no preservatives or additives. A pet parent may also decide to give a Border Collie dental treats that will reinforce good behavior and maintain oral health as well.
Border Collie Potty Training
Before bringing a Border Collie pup home, choose the elimination spot where it be doing its business. The general rule of the thumb when potty training is understanding that an 8-week-old pup will be able to hold for 2 hours before eliminating while a 12-week-old puppy holds for 3 hours. The bladder and bowel muscles of a pup strengthens as the dog matures. Consistency, patience, and being firm is key for positive outcomes. It may take up to 4 months before a pup is fully housetrained.
Depending on where you reside, you may settle for indoor or outdoor potty training. Apartment dwellers who have a hard time accessing a yard or street, may settle with indoor training. There are litter boxes and puppy pads available for retail from the pet stores. As for outdoor training, ensure the designated elimination spot is not near the patio deck or BBQ area.
Take your Border Collie to the designated potty area immediately it wakes up, 20 minutes after meal and drinks, after playtime, every 2 to 3 hours, following an exciting activity like car ride, after naps, before bedtime, and after meals. Once you take a pooch to the toilet area, remain there for a period of about 15 minutes to allow the bladder or bowel muscles to relax for a pee or poo. Choose a command word that will instruct your dog it is time to eliminate. A pet parent may use potty or toilet command. Regardless of the command word that you will settle with, consistency is key. At no time should a dog owner interchangeably use the command words.
If a dog doesn’t eliminate within the 15-minute time period, take it back to the house and return it to the potty area after 15 to 30 minutes. Before Border Collies are fully housetrained, they are likely to experience accidents. When you get your dog in the act, immediately take them to the designated potty spot after uttering a firm No. Avoid yelling or beating your pet. This will instill fear increasing the chances of experiencing future accidents.
Remember to clean the mess using an iodine solution or an enzymatic detergent to remove odor. Failure to completely get rid of the odor, will encourage more accidents after your dogs sniff. Signs exhibited by a dog that wants to eliminate include circling, whining, squatting, or lifting one leg against the wall or furniture. Before the age of 16 weeks, set an alarm to take your pet to the potty area at least once in the middle of the night.
Border Collie Temperament | Traits
- Energetic.
- Intelligent.
- Highly trainable.
- Playful.
- Athletic.
- Alert.
- Sensitive.
Border Collie Exercise
These dogs are highly energetic and require a minimum of 2 hours of exercise especially for companion dogs. The exercise require more than brisk walks and a quick romp in the yard. Border Collies are always happy if they have something to do. If this breed is not herding, it should be provided with vigorous exercise everyday.
A Border Collie may also participate in herding events, tracking competitions, rally, agility, obedience, and sports such as flyball and flying disc. If the physical and mental needs of Border Collies are not met, they develop behavior issues like hole digging, destructive scraping, and chewing holes in furniture and walls.
Border Collie Barking
Naturally, Border Collies have an instinct to nudge, nip, and bark since they were bred as herding dogs. This dog will therefore, bark at anything that is in motion including bikes, cars, and skate boards. To minimize barking, ensure that the dog is properly socialized and has something to do.
Border Collie Mental Issues
A Border Collie should be well stimulated physically and mentally to avoid behavior issues or mental issues like digging, chewing furniture, or destructive scraping.
Border Collie Dominance Issues
Dominance issues with Border Collies may be a result of pet parents failing to identify as the pack leader. This may be through allowing your dog to sleep uninvited on the couch or your bed instead of sleeping in a crate. Another sign of dominance issue, is growling when someone approaches the food bowl when the dog is eating. This behavior should be corrected when the puppy is still young.
Border Collie Separation Anxiety
A Border Collie is an active working dog that becomes frustrated, stressed, and suffer from separation anxiety if ignored, isolated, or inactive.
Border Collie Height
According to AKC, female Border Collies have a height of 18 to 21 inches ( approx. 46 to 53 cm ) while their male counterparts have a height of 19 to 22 inches ( approx. 48 to 56 cm).
Border Collie Weight
Female Border Collies have a weight of 26 to 42 pounds ( approx. 12 to 19 kg) while the male Counterparts have a weight of 31 to 55 pounds ( approx. 14 to 25 kg).
Border Collie Size
A Border Collie is a medium-sized herding dog. Although male Border Collies are slightly larger in size as compared to their female counterparts. The former has a height of 19 to 22 inches ( approx. 48 to 56 cm) and a weight of 31 to 55 pounds ( approx. 14 to 25 kg) while the latter has a height of 18 to 21 inches ( approx. 46 to 53 cm ) and a weight of 26 to 42 pounds ( approx. 12 to 19 kg).
Border Collie Aggressive
Aggression is not a common trait with Border Collies. However, every dog has a different nature and personality. If a Border Collie was raised by an aggressive dam then it is likely to be aggressive. Signs of aggression include growling, snarling, chasing, and biting.
Border Collie Biting
Due to the natural herding instinct, Border Collies puppies are prone to biting and nipping. Rampant biting may also be due to exploration of the environment and even teething due to discomfort. Puppy biting may seem adorable but no for long after the dog matures and has serious biting issues. For this reason, pet parents should curb biting before it develops into a problem through redirection and bite inhibition training.
Border Collie Hair Loss
All-year round, Border Collies loose their hair in a process described as shedding which is normal. However, losing hair in patches is abnormal and should be addressed. Cause of hair loss in Border Collies include:
Hypothyroidism – This health condition is caused by inadequate production of the thyroxine hormone in charge of regulating metabolism by the thyroid glands. This results in thinning of the coat and hair easily falls out on various body parts of a Border Collie including the neck, back of the legs, and tail.
Mange – Border Collies puppies are prone to develop an overabundance of demodex, a microscopic mite found in the hair follicles of the dogs causing demodex mange. Puppies may outgrow this condition as they mature and the immune system strengthens. However, there is also Sarcoptic Mange caused by Sarcoptic Mange mites that affect dogs of all ages and it is contagious even to humans.
Hormones – A female Border Collie experiences hormonal change during the heat season which results in a thinning coat and hair loss due to an increase in estrogen levels.
Alopecia X – this is a medical term for hair loss that is common in older dogs. It is genetic even though the cause remains unknown. Some of the body parts affected by alopecia include throat, inner legs, chest, and abdomen.
Allergies – Border Collie are affected by skin, food, and environmental allergies. These allergies cause itchiness, biting, and scratching which results to lesions, sores, and even hair loss. Flea allergy dermatitis caused by flea’s saliva results in biting and scratching of the bite area until the skin is raw causing hair loss.
Border Collie Ears
Border Collies have medium sized ears that are set well apart. Both ears or one may be carried erect and/or semi erect.
Border Collie Ear Problems
Not only does a Border Collie suffer from ear infection, but also hearing loss due to congenital sensorineural deafness and adult-onset hearing loss.
Border Collie Ear Infection
This breed may have erect or semi-erect ears. Erected ears are prone to gather dirt, debris, and other foreign materials that may cause ear infection if left to accumulate. Other causes of ear infections in Border Collies include endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism, moisture accumulation, excess wax, ear mites, injury to the ear canal, excessive cleaning, and yeast imbalances.
These dogs are predisposed to three kinds of ear infections; externa, media, and interna otitis respectively. Externa otitis is common in Border Collies and cause inflammation to the cells located in the external ear. If left unattended, this infection spreads to the middle and internal ear canal.
Inflammation to the cells located in the middle and inner ear canal is media and interna otitis respectively. If left untreated it causes facial paralysis, vestibular signs like disorientation and dizziness as well as deafness. Signs of ear infections in Border Collies include dark discharge, redness, odor, head shaking, walking in circles, scabs in the ears, and swelling of the ear canal.
Border Collie Eyes
A Border Collie has oval-shaped and medium eyes that are set well apart. All eye colors are acceptable. Although, Merle coated are only allowed to have blue eye color.
Border Collie Eye Problems
Apart from eye infection, other eye problems that Border Collies suffer from include:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – is a group of inherited degenerative diseases that affects the photoreceptors cells of a Border Collies eventually leading to blindness.
Cataracts – this is an eye condition that results in a cloudy and whitish pupils that affects the vision of Border Collies. Senior dogs are mostly affected. Cataracts may be removed through surgery to restore eye sight.
Collie eye anomaly(CEA) -this is an inherited birth defect in dogs that affects sclera, retina, and choroid. This eye problem may be mild or cause blindness. However, in Border Collies it is a mild disease that rarely cause vision problems.
Border Collie Eye Infection
Eye infections in Border Collies may be a result of virus or bacteria. The latter is far more common since it gets an opportunity to invade the eye after the local defenses of the eye have been compromised due to trauma to the eye, dry eye disease and viruses. An injury or scratch to the dog’s cornea also causes bacterial eye infection.
Apart from injury, foreign bodies like dust, plant material, debris, dirt, hair, and fur also cause bacterial eye infection. Symptoms of eye infection include pawing at the eye, squinting, redness, swelling of the eyelids, and discharge. A clear discharge is caused by a virus while a thick yellowish green discharge is caused by a bacteria. Home remedy for Border Collies eye infections is the use of the saline rinses to flush the eye.
Border Collie Health Issues
Although Border Collies are relatively healthy, they are affected by various health problems including epilepsy, cancer, Collie eye anomaly, hearing loss, Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome, hypothyroidism, juvenile cataracts, diabetes mellitus, canine cyclic neutropaenia, osteochondritis, Border Collie Collapse, hip, and elbow dysplasia.
Border Collie Names
Once a pet parent gets a Border Collie pup from a responsible breeder, the next best thing is finding a name for the fur baby. Names of this breed may be inspired by their origin, character, coat color, names suggestions across the internet, movies, songs, foods, celebrities, and pop culture.
Regardless of the name that you settle with, ensure it freely rolls off your tongue and won’t make you embarrassed when uttered loudly in public parks and malls. Border Collies and other dog breeds better understand names that have vowels.
Remember that a long name will require a nickname. Giving your pooch names that rhyme with command words create confusion. If Border Collies share a name with family members or people who frequent your home, it would cause confusion.
Border Collie Names Female
- Willow.
- Una.
- Ivy.
- Violet.
- Bella.
- Abby.
- Jane.
- Pam.
- Tess.
- Sadie.
- Lily.
- Emma.
- Cleo, etc.
Border Collie Speed
In an hour, Border Collies may run for a speed of 30 miles ( approx. 48 km/h).
Border Collie Names Male | Boy
- Oreo.
- Gus.
- Max.
- Duke.
- Miles.
- Zeus.
- Bruno.
- Rocco.
- Andre.
- Gyp.
- Lex.
- Joe, etc.
Border Collie Seizures
Convulsions, fits, or seizures are common in Border Collies. They refer to the disturbance of the normal functioning of the brain which is usually accompanied with uncontrollable muscle activity. Cause of seizures are categorized into three: primary, secondary, and reactive seizures.
Reactive seizures occur after the brain detects a metabolism problem such as low blood sugar, toxins, or organ failure. On the other hand, secondary seizures are due to brain tumor, and trauma to the head. However, primary seizures are inherited and have no underlying cause.
Primary seizures are also referred to as idiopathic epilepsy that is diagnosed by ruling out other causes. When a dog is experiencing seizure, put nothing in its mouth. This will pose as a risk to you and your pet. Common symptoms of seizures include disorientation, stiffening of the muscles, urination or defecation, foaming mouth, loss of consciousness, staring, and hiding after an episode.
Border Collie Heat Cycle | Mating
The heat cycle of a female Border Collie lasts between 2 to 3 weeks. This process recurs after every 6 months. A female dog of this breed experiences the first heat cycle at the age of 6 to 8 months. Although early bloomers go on a heat cycle at the age of 4 months and late bloomers at the age of 12 months. It is possible for a senior Collie to get pregnant since they don’t experience menopause.
Some of the signs that a Border Collie exhibit while on heat include a swollen vulva, bloody discharge, lethargy, mood swings, increased urination, tail flagging, and changes in eating pattern. Before mating a potential dam and sire, ensure they are both screened for certain health conditions including deafness, trapped neutrophil syndrome, progressive renal atrophy, collie eye anomaly, deafness, hip dysplasia, and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.
Wait until the potential dam is at least two years old before breeding. The 2-year-mark allows the dam to physically and emotionally develop to take care of a litter. Never breed an aggressive dam since the whelped puppies will likely be aggressive or fearful.
Border Collie Litter Size
Following conception, this breed has a gestation period of about 63 to 65 days ( approx. 2 months). A Border Collie dam may whelp a litter size of 4 to 8 puppies. Although, the average litter size is 6 puppies.
Border Collie Harness | Collar
Border Collies are herding dogs that are motion-sensitive and are likely to chase skate boarders, vehicles, and bikes. For this reason, a Collie is likely to pull while on a leash which might cause tracheal collapse. In such a situation, walking your pet in a harness will be a much better option since the pressure is evenly distributed across the shoulders and the chest. However, a pet parent may make use of both a harness and collar. A collar will attach the rabies and ID tag while the harness will attach the leash.
Border Collie Muzzle
Seldom aggressive, this breed may be muzzled in a situation where the dog owner is not sure how the dog will react. This is especially true for dogs adopted from a rescue center and the pet parent is not sure of how it will react to the new stimuli. Naturally a herding Border Collie that works in a ranch is likely to be motion-sensitive if leash-walked where there is movement of cars, bikes, and skate boarders.
Herding dogs do they job through nudging, nipping, and barking. To prevent such scenario it is better to muzzle your pet until it is properly socialized to different sights and movements. A dog that is in pain should also be muzzled since it is likely to bite or nip someone.
AKC encourages pet parents to create positive associations with the device to avoid aggressive behavior when a dog is muzzled. However, if a dog has behavior issues like chewing, digging, barking, and biting, training will help correct these behaviors. A muzzle won’t do.
Some of the other dog breeds include:
Pug.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Border Collie Feeding Chart
The amount of food that Border Collies eat depend on their activity level, age, body build, and metabolism. The following is the feeing chart for Border Collies.
An adult Border Collie that weighs 40 pounds ( approx. 18kg) should feed a total of 1109 calories a day while a puppy needs a total of 733 calories a day. Puppies should be fed 3 to 4 times a day since they have a high metabolism as compared to adults. From the age of 1 to 2 months start with 4 to 6 spaced meals before gradually reducing to 2 to 3 times well-spaced meals at the age of 6 months. Remember to increase the portion of food as your reduce the number of times a pup feeds in a day.
Border Collie Dog Food | Food
Depending on the time and budget of a dog owner, he or she may decide whether to feed dry kibble food, wet food, raw food, or homemade food. Regardless of the food that you choose, ensure that it meet all the nutritional requirements of Border Collies.
The best way to know whether you are overfeeding or underfeeding your pet is to take them to the vet to understand better about their health and weight. However, you can also tell by checking the physique of your dog, if you can see your dog’s ribs, chances are they are being underfed.
If a pet parent cannot feel the ribs of a Border Collie under the coat, then chances are that it is being overfeed. Border Collies are prone to obesity. Therefore, food bowls should not be left out all day after meals since these dogs have a tendency of overfeeding.
When you get a Border Collie from a breeder, chances are that you will want to switch to another quality of food than the one it was previous feeding on. Gradually do this by mixing small portions of new food with old food for the first week. During the second week, feed your Border Collies with the same amount of the new food and old food.
On the third week feed your pet with 1/4 of old food and 3/4 of the new food. During the fourth week, totally switch to new food. If a dog owner wants to feed commercial dry or wet food, they should purchase food that are specifically designed for puppies, adults, and senior dogs.
Border Collie Neck Size | Collar Size
The neck size of Border Collies is equivalent to the collar size since the neck rests around the neck. However, you should ensure that you can be able to insert two fingers between the neck and the collar of your pooch to avoid choking. The neck size | collar size of Border Collies is 16 to 18 inches ( approx. 41 to 46 cm).
Border Collie Colors
Although Black and White are the most common Border Collies colors, all other colors are accepted by AKC and are to be judged equally. Other coat colors that Border Collies may possess include red, white and red merle, white and red, white and blue merle, white and blue, saddleback sable, sable merle, sable, red merle, red, lilac, gold, brindle, blue merle, and blue. Some dogs may also have solid color coats.
Border Collie Types
The is only one type of pure bred Border Collie that may either have a Smooth coat or a Rough coat. The smooth-coated variety has shorter and coarser hair while the rough-coated variety has a medium-length and feathered fur/hair.
Border Collie Allergies | Skin Allergies
A Border Collie is an energetic outdoor dog that is likely to be affected by various allergies as discussed below:
Skin Allergies – This inflammation is caused by genetic factors, food allergies, contact allergies, and environmental allergies. Commonly affected body parts include paws, belly sides, muzzle, groin, ears, feet, and ears. Symptoms exhibited by a Border Collie that is affected by skin allergies include scaliness, itchiness, sores, crusting lesions, hives, and scratching at the mentioned body parts. If left untreated it may result to secondary skin infections such as yeast and bacterial infections.
Food allergies – Although rare, Border Collies may also suffer from food allergies. A true food allergy causes an immune response that is accompanied by skin issues symptoms like facial swelling, crusting lesions, pruritus, sores, hives, and dermatitis as well as gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and/or diarrhea. However, Border Collies are also affected by food intolerance as a result of a gradual response to an offending ingredient in the diet and snacks.
Some of the food ingredients that result in food intolerance include lamb, beef, chicken, turkey, pork, soy, corn, whet gluten, milk, eggs, additives, preservatives, chemicals, etc. Food intolerance results in various symptoms such as foot infections, poor skin and coat, diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite, and itchiness. It is Pet parents should work along with the vet to manage the symptoms and find the offending ingredient.
Contact allergies like plastics, bed linens, grooming products, latex, medication, lawn chemicals, and carpet cleaning detergents affect Border Collies once they come in contact with the skin. Most common affected body parts include the paws, around the muzzle, and feet.
Environmental allergies – Flea’s saliva cause flea allergy dermatitis that results in excessive biting and scratching until the skin around the bite area is raw. Other environmental allergens that affect Border Collies include mites, pollen, trees, ragweed, grass, dust and dust mites, mosquitoes, and house molds. The common affected body parts include paws, feet, ears, around the eyes, groin, underarms, wrists, and between the toes.
Border Collie Head
The head expression of Border Collies give the impression of an alert, intelligent, interested, and eager breed.
Border Collie Tail | Tail Position | Tail Curl
Border Collies have a moderately long tail that is set low with the bone reaching at least to the hock. The tail is usually set low when the pooch is concentrating on a task. When a Border Collie is excited the tail may be raised, although the base of the tail should never curve over the back.
Border Collie Teeth | Teething Age
An adult Border Collie has a total set of 42 permanent teeth. Border Collies puppies are born with no teeth. However, they starting growing deciduous teeth from the age of 2 to 6 weeks. When a pup is 12-weeks old, the milk teeth falls out as the permanent teeth grows in until the age of 6 months.
Border Collie Nose
According to AKC, the nose of a Border Collie should be fully pigmented and have well developed nostrils.
Are Border Collies Hypoallergenic
No. Border Collies shed all-year round spreading hair and dander around the house. Dog’s dander, hair, saliva, mucus, and urine have a protein allergen that causes allergic inflammation in people who suffer from allergies.
Are Border Collies Aggressive
No. This is rare trait with Border Collies. Although, this may vary from dog to dog depending on how they were bred and socialized.
Are Border Collies Friendly
Although, Border Collies are well-socialized they tend to be quite reserved with strangers.
Border Collie Quick Facts
- Border Collies are intelligent and were ranked first in the Intelligence of Dogs by Stanley Coren being part of the top ten smartest dogs.
- They are energetic, demanding, and playful due to their working heritage.
- AKC officially recognized Border Collies under the herding group in 1995.
