Border Collie
The beautiful Border Collie is one of Australia’s most popular and well-loved breeds. Rated as the world’s most intelligent dog, this breed thrives on exercise and training. As a premium working and herding dog, the humble Border Collie loves to work and play.
Border Collie At A Glance
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Temperament | A brilliant and active dog who thrives on training and learning. |
| Suitable | Only suitable for a very active family who loves to get out and about. |
| Health | A typically robust dog breed, but like all dog breeds, the Border Collie can suffer from certain health problems. |
| COMMON CLAIMS | MAXIMUM CLAIM |
|---|---|
| Arthritis | $973.20 |
| Gastrointestinal Condition | $4,529.15 |
| Skin Conditions Allergy | $1,772.02 |
| Tissue Damage/Fracture | $4,710.80 |
| Skeletal Condition | $3,608.49 |
| Neurological Condition | $4,140.01 |
| Ingestion Foreign Body or Toxin | $7,212.22 |
| Ear Conditions | $730.15 |
| Mass Lesion | $7,001.65 |
| Eye Conditions | $1,579.60 |
*PIA Data 2022-2023
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Trainability
The Border Collie is an eager-to-please, easy-to-train breed. They love to work, and training allows them to build a language between them and their cherished owners. Training is a must, remembering that his breed is a high-intensity working dog. They are a quick learner and thrive in dog sports that will keep them constantly thinking and learning. A bored, untrained Border Collie will ensure they find their own form of entertainment in the form of destructive behaviours and escaping. Early, consistent training is advised for this breed. The breed loves to give chase to anything that moves…quickly, including cars and cats! Ensuring you have good training alongside good fences will help prevent your pup from getting into trouble.
Grooming
Don’t be fooled by their long flowing coats; generally, this breed is easy to maintain and groom. They come in two double-coat varieties, rough and smooth, with the rough being slightly longer than the smooth variety. Their hardy weatherproof coats only require a weekly brush to prevent mats and keep them looking good. Increasing this will benefit the amount of hair-balls floating around your home during shedding months. They also don’t need much bathing, only when required – typically after rolling in something smelly.
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Common Health Complaints – Bearded Collie
Border Collies are generally a healthy dog breed, but like many breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues.
- Hip Dysplasia - A genetic condition due to the hip joint malformation that can lead to pain, lameness, and arthritis. Surgery is typically required to fix the malformation alongside weight management and pain relief.
- Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) - This is an inherited condition that affects the eyes of the Border Collie. It can range from mild cases with no impact on vision to severe cases that can lead to blindness. As with all eye conditions, it is vital to speak to your vet if you are concerned. Treatment can involve surgery and veterinary monitoring.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) - PRA is a group of genetic diseases that cause the eye's retina to degenerate over time, with the most common early sign being night blindness. It can lead to eventual blindness; however, most dogs adapt well to this progressive and non-painful condition.
- Epilepsy - Some Border Collies may be prone to seizures and epilepsy, which various factors, including hereditary traits, can cause. Medication is usually required depending on the severity of the condition.
- Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) - This is a joint disorder that can affect young, rapidly growing dogs like the Border Collie. It involves abnormal cartilage development on the end of bones, leading to joint pain, lameness and arthritis, and is typically seen in the shoulder joint of the Border Collie. Surgery is often the treatment of choice to remove the cartilage.
- Allergies - Like many dog breeds, Border Collies can also be prone to allergies, manifesting as skin irritations, itching, and other symptoms. It can also lead to digestive upsets if the allergy is food-related. Treatment involves veterinary monitoring and removing the allergen alongside diet changes, medication and medicated shampoos depending on the diagnosed allergy. Early veterinary intervention is essential to prevent secondary infection issues from occurring.
- Deafness - Some Border Collies can also be born deaf or develop deafness over time, also known as early-onset adult deafness or EOAD. The condition is not curable; however, with understanding and veterinary monitoring, most dogs live whole and happy lives with the condition.
- Dental Issues - Border Collies can be prone to dental problems like many breeds. Regular dental care is essential to prevent gum disease and tooth loss. A yearly professional clean and check-ups are necessary for the teeth and gum health of your Border Collie.
- Hypothyroidism - Border Collies can also be prone to Hypothyroidism, a condition affecting the thyroid gland. Treatment typically involves medication to fix the hormone imbalance.
- Obesity - Being a super active breed, the Border Collie requires ample exercise to prevent obesity. If they do not get enough exercise, they may become overweight, which can lead to various health problems and a lack of well-being. Treatment involves a diet change, exercise and veterinary monitoring.
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Exercise Requirements
This breed is a high-energy dog that needs a lot of exercise to stay happy. It is not uncommon to hear the cries of owners who have come home to washing being herded or their dog becoming destructive due to the breed not getting enough exercise. They excel in dog sports of all descriptions and group training sessions. They love to use their brains; being the most intelligent dogs in the world, it is no wonder that special attention needs to be paid to exercise and training. They love to run. So, a daily off-leash run is a great way to provide exercise and mental stimulation.
Intelligence
The Border Collie is the most intelligent dog breed known to man. Because of this, it is vitally important you keep him occupied and prevent your pup from getting bored. They need a challenging job to do daily to prevent boredom. Socialising your young Border Collie and exposing them to as many stimuli as possible as a young dog is also imperative. He needs to flex his mental and muscular needs…daily.
Family Friendly
The Border Collie makes a great family pet… in the right hands. They are, first and foremost, a herding breed, and the screams of children can cause them to give chase and even a nip or two. For this reason, you must dedicate yourself to the training and exercise of the Border Collie to prevent problems. They do not cope with being left alone for long periods without brain-stimulating exercise and play.
Indoor/outdoor?
The Border Collie will benefit from a good-sized yard or living in a rural environment. They have a sturdy, weatherproof coat and easily adjust to outdoor life. However, like all breeds, they will hugely benefit from curling up in front of the fire during the cooler months. They can also tolerate the warmer weather much better than most breeds, but installing some shade sails is a good idea if you do not have ample shade available during the heat of the day. Good fences are a must; this breed is incredibly curious, making them a smart Houdini.
Responsible Breeding
Responsible breeding practices, including screening for genetic conditions, are critical for the long-term health of your Border Collie. For this reason, it is important to only source your new furry family member from a reputable breeder. Ask all the important questions about hereditary problems in the breed’s bloodline and, if possible, ask to view Mum or Dad. You can also reach out to your breed club and research your chosen breeder. Your breeder should have proof that they regularly test their dogs for genetic diseases and to ensure that the dogs they are breeding from have sound temperaments. This process does take time, but it will save you and your family from the unimaginable pain a sick puppy or dog can bring.
Contact your local breed club for valuable insights and recommendations about your chosen breeder. A reliable breeder should be able to provide evidence of regular genetic disease testing for their dogs and demonstrate a commitment to breeding from individuals with sound temperaments.
While it may be tempting to make a quick purchase, investing a little extra time in thoroughly vetting the breeder can spare you and your family from potential heartache and the distress of caring for an ailing puppy. Ensuring a healthy and well-cared-for canine companion is well worth the patience and diligence exercised during puppy selection.
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