Information about Border Collies
The Border Collie is a sheep-herding dog of exceptional
qualities. For many years the Border Collie has excelled
at sheepdog trials as a dog with uncanny instinctive
abilities to herd sheep. The dog performs this function
often without any direction from the herder. When direction
is given it is through low whistles or hand signals
on the part of the human Master.
The Border Collie will lie down with uncanny timing
and precision, will dart in or out at just the right
moment to guide the sheep, all the while maintaining
an intense eye contact or "staring" at the sheep; this
eye contact is a well known characteristic of the breed.
Anyone who has seen this dog perform at herding trials
cannot help but be fascinated by the outstanding talents
of the breed.
The Border Collie originated as the name implies, from
the border territories of England and Scotland. The
first Sheepdog Trials were held in North Wales in 1873,
where a dog named "Tweed" won the trial and also a prize
for being "the most handsome dog". It is said that this
dog became the foundation of the Border Collie breed.
The Border Collie was imported into Australia as a working
sheepdog. The breed developed in that country as a versatile
herding dog. It was used very successfully on both sheep
and cattle and in the vast ranchlands of Australia became
well known as the herding dog of choice. When it later
began to be imported into the United States, it also
joined the ranks of the dogs who are shown in dog shows
and is popular as an Agility dog and Obedience dog.
The dog is extremely agile, able to crouch, spring and
corner skilfully for the purpose of driving the recalcitrant
sheep or cattle into line. The Border's coat should
not be overly abundant yet should be double and thick
enough to be weather resistant. In appearance it is
most like the collie but with shorter length of feathers.
There is a "smooth coat" variety of this breed, however
this variety appears mostly in Great Britain and the
most popular type of coat is the "rough coat". The dog
is of medium height and build and comes in many colors,
but white should never be predominant.
This breed is highly instinctive. Coincidentally, both
The Border collie and the Newfoundland have been used
in the genetic studies of the Human Genome Research
Project as the DNA markers for comparison of strong
inherited behavioral tendencies. The Border Collie is
noted as one of the most intelligent of breeds and is
not happy without a job to do. It learns quickly and
enjoys the challenge of learning. This is not a dog
who will be happy left alone for hours in a house and
also should not be left unsupervised in an unfenced
area. This dog needs mental and physical stimulation
to be happy and healthy.
The dog does well in Obedience, Rally Obedience, Agility,
Flyball, Sheep Herding Trials and is a popular Conformation
breed. Furthermore their medium size and high intelligence
have made them quite useful as Search and Rescue dogs.
These dogs should always exhibit stable temperament
and be absolutely without shyness. People who have this
dog as a pet or as a utility dog will have a loyal and
faithful friend, one who will respond eagerly and willingly
to any request and is happiest when asked to perform
a job.
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