Facts about Border Collie Puppies

It used to be known by many names, including Working Collie, Farm Collie and English Collie until 1915, when James Reid, Secretary of the International Sheepdog Society in Great Britain, first called it a Border Collie.

The breed was developed for herding and it excels at it. It has a very intense stare and it's been said that Farm Collies herd with their eyes by hypnotizing cattle. Unlike other herding breeds, they don't make good guard dogs.

Physical Characteristics of Border Collie Puppies

This is a medium-size dog. It has a strong body that's slightly longer than it is tall, a wide head and a long tail. The ears vary greatly from dog to dog - from erect to semi-erect to fully dropped. Eyes are usually brown or blue, but some dogs may have one of each.

As far as their coats are concerned, there are two types. Rough Border Collie puppies have longer double coats and smooth Border Collies have shorter double coats.

Both types come in many colors, such as black with white (the most common), tri-color, all black, red and white, etc. The only color you will not find is all white.

Because these dogs are usually bred for their intelligence and strong work ethic, not for their appearance, conformation to the standard varies widely. Some dogs may weight as little as 25 pounds while others may be as heavy as 60 or even 65 pounds. The Height and Weight in the table below are the averages.

Temperament

Boarder Collies make excellent pets. They are intelligent, friendly, outgoing and family oriented. On the other hand, they can be wary with strangers.

They get along well with other dogs and love children, but may try to herd both and may chase cats and other fast-moving animals.

They love human company and don't like to be left alone for extended periods of time. When bored, they resort do destructive behaviors, such as barking, digging and jumping. They are also excellent escape artists, so watch out!

If you are looking for a breed that's easy to train and likes to learn new things, this is it! But be very careful during training - this is a very sensitive breed and if you use too much correction, your pet can become stubborn and will stop to respond.

Visit dog behavior to learn more about Border Collie training and behavior.

Best Owner / Living Conditions

Border Collie puppies will do best with an active family in a suburban environment.

They love children, but because of their strong herding instinct, may try to herd them by nipping at their heels. Though this is harmless, it may scare younger children. If you have young children, ask yourself if they can handle this.

They are excellent jumpers, so make sure your fence is at least five feet tall.

Some Border Collie breeders may interview prospective owners to make sure this is the right breed for them.  

Activity and Exercise

This is a very active breed. To stay in shape, physically as well as mentally, Border Collie puppies need to be kept busy.

If you have a fenced yard or can take him to a safe area, your pet will enjoy running off leash.

If your yard is not fenced, consider getting an electronic dog fence. There are a lot of systems that are cheap (a lot cheaper than a physical fence), easy to install and will keep your pet well protected.

In addition, you also need to take him for long walks. If you enjoy jogging or bicycle riding, take your pet along (on-leash).

Grooming

The Boarder Collie is an average shedder, with most shedding occurring in early spring and late fall. Brush two to three times a week, more often during heavy shedding.

Bathe only when necessary.

Health Concerns

Like all dog breeds, the Border Collie is susceptible to complications caused by parasites such as dog ticks, fleas, and puppy worms, including tapeworms, roundworms, and heartworms.

Additional health problems common to the breed include hip dysplasia, flea allergies, and eye problems. To learn more about dog diseases and health care, visit dog health problems.

Visit home remedies for fleas to learn how you can protect your pet from these parasites without resorting to harmful chemicals found in many commercial products. 

To reduce the risk of the above and many other health problems, buy only from reputable Border Collie breeders (visit dog breeders to learn how to identify responsible dog breeders).

No matter how small the risk of health problems is, any puppy may get sick or injured. Many health problems will require an immediate attention from your Vet, but there are many others that will not, and you may handle them on your own.

To save time and money, learn how to diagnose and treat dog health problems that don't require your Vet's attention.

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy for Border Collie puppies is between 12 and 15 years.

Did you ever consider adopting your next pet?

If this is the breed you are interested in, and adoption appeals to you, consider contacting your local Border Collie rescue. There are thousands of pets waiting for a loving home and, yes, it's possible to adopt a purebred dog.