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Looks &
Ability
Before adopting a Border Collie, learn about the breed, its needs, and what restrictions your lifestyle may impose and vice versa. The Border Collie is not suitable for every lifestyle.
People who fail to research the breed realize too late just how much attention and activity these dogs require. -- Siino, p. 61
Many people have seen the charismatic Border Collie at work in the movie Babe; on Late Night with David Letterman herding sheep, catching Frisbees, and doing a variety of cool tricks; in Gary Larson's The Far Side and Charles Schulz's Peanuts comic strips; and in lots of TV commercials.
Please do not be fooled by the camera! That high level of intelligence requires a solid commitment from the dogs' owners. In your quest to find the right companion, consult a variety of sources. In an effort to be concise, some references leave out necessary qualifiers and common exceptions.
It's one thing to covet a car or a cheesecake we see on the tube, but coveting a dog that we may be ill-prepared to care for is another story. -- Siino, p. 57
Traditionally bred not for looks but for working ability, the Border Collie's appearance varies considerably. No one dog's look or type is representative of the entire breed. Briefly mentioned here are the breed's colors and sizes. For additional physical characteristics, consult the breed standards of Border Collie registries, clubs, and organizations.
The Border Collie is a well-balanced, medium-sized dog of athletic appearace, displaying grace and agility in equal measure with substances and stamina. -- Border Collie Society of America
Color: Solid, bi-, or tri-colored with black, red, blue, merle, brindle, sable, with varying amounts of white and/or tan. The color patterns vary, though a white blaze, collar, stockings, and tail tip are most common. The coat may be rough (medium to long, flat to wavy) or smooth (short).
Size: Medium-sized dog, 18-22" at the withers, and weighing 30-55 pounds. Somewhat larger and smaller sizes are not uncommon. What is "average" varies. For example, dogs bred to work sheep tend to be smaller than those bred to work cattle.
Border Collies originated from the border country between Scotland and England, and their intelligence, instinct, and herding abilities have been refined by shepherds for nearly 500 years (McCaig). Even so, they require much training and maintenance. Training and regular exercise, both physical and mental, are a must.
These dogs are widely considered the most intelligent and versatile breed. Border Collies herd sheep, ducks, cows, goats, llamas, geese, and other animals. They serve in the military, on search-and-rescue teams, and do therapy and assistance work. They perform in competitive events such as obedience, tracking, agility, Frisbee, flyball, sled racing, and skijoring. Border Collies often excel at whatever job they are given.
Turned on by motion, Border Collies work by circling, staring (called "eye"), and nipping at the heels. While good for working livestock, such behavior can be dangerous around young children. The dog's natural instinct to herd and control movement must be channeled away from kids, cats and other dogs, bikes and cars, vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers, and other dangers, into safe and fun activities ("work") like flyball and agility.
If one is not willing to learn this dog's language and to provide it with ample opportunities to channel its energy, the situation is a disaster waiting to happen. -- Siino, p. 61
In an environment that does not provide a sufficient outlet for the dog's instinct, drive, and need for physical and mental exercise, a Border Collie may engage in unwanted behavior such as chewing a couch threadbare or their own legs hairless and raw. Very smart dogs are much more demanding of their owner's time and attention and may actually be harder to train than "average" dogs.
In general, Border Collies are highly biddable, rarely bark, and are sight-oriented and sensitive to noise (McCaig). Although typically these dogs are intense, demanding, and tireless workers, their temperament varies like their appearance, ranging from couch potatoes to off-the-wall, relentlessness.
Two types of temparment are apparent: the workaholic, driven to herd anything and everyone continuously, or the more laidback family pet. Border Collies are happiest when given a chore and need to have an outlet for their energy. -- Wilcox, p. 210
The biggest drawback to Border Collie puppies is that you have to go through a bunch of rather obnoxious but normal stages until they finally mature at around age 2. That is exactly why most of our rescued Border Collies are less than 2 years old.
Another big problem is that a Border Collie's adult personality can be very hard to judge at 8 weeks old. Dogs with a strong herding instinct can be especially difficult if you don't have any livestock-these dogs are often destructive because they're bored, or they drive their owners crazy by asking to play all the time. And if you have livestock and want your Border Collie to work, you may find out several months later that your dog lacks the talent or will. In many Border Collies, herding instinct doesn't fully bloom until late puppyhood.
With a rescued Border Collie, you know what you are getting. Most rescuers live with each dog and do various tests to see what the dog's interests and problem areas are. They figure out what the best home would be for each dog, so you have a better chance of getting the perfect dog for you.
Rescued dogs do take a little bit of time to adjust to their new home, but usually within 2 weeks, you'd never guess they hadn't been there since puppyhood. The dogs seem grateful to have people who really care about them and usually become well-bonded.
Border Collie Society of America. "Border Collie Buyer's Guide". Web page <http://www.duke.edu/~awho/bc/bcsa.htm>. 1997.
McCaig, Donald. "The Dogs That Go to Work, and Play, All Day -- for Science". Smithsonian. Nov. 1996. 126-137.
Siino, Betsy Sikora. "Breed Profile: Instinctive Treasures". Dog Fancy. May 1994. Cover story. 56-63.
Wilcox, Bonnie & Chris Walkowicz. Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World. 3rd ed., revised. 1991. Neptune City, NJ: TFH. 209-210.
and beyond!
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