Border Collies
How can this smaller dog move so many sheep without even barking? The Border collie doesn’t bark. He will just stare at the sheep (giving it the eye) and intimidating them so they move. The Border collie is a medium sized dog. Their average weight ranges from 30 to 45 pounds. They can reach a height of about 23”, from the ground to their back. The Border collie’s ears, back, and hind legs are black, and nose, chest, and front legs are white. The ears are carried semi erect, and the tail is held low. Border collies sometimes have a blue eye, but only the males. The average lifespan of a Border collie is 10 to 14 years.
The original use of the Border collie was for sheep herding. They now are used still for sheep herding, but also obedience, and herding trails. The Border collie is used so much as a sheep herding dog, because of their quiet way to keep the sheep together. The Border collie is also very obedient, and is one of the top dogs in obedience trials.
The name Border collie came from where this amazing dog originated from. Witch exists somewhere between the English and Scottish borders. The Border collie came about around the 1800s and came to America in 1915. The first Border collie was a little different than the ones we see today. In size and color, but mostly muscularity. The Border collie, throughout time, has grown in popularity. And now it is a common household pet.
The Border collie is a dog that has loads upon loads of energy. This requires a lot of exercise. They need plenty of walks and should be given little jobs like, playing fetch, and bringing in the paper. They cannot be locked up in a cage or house for very long. And should be able to run around often. The Border collies coat needs brushing about two times a week. The Border collie is one of the easier dog to train, but still should learn at an early age.
One of the first Border collies was Hemp. He is known for winning the respect of the sheep farmers. It happened that most farmers that had herding dogs, liked to boast about their dogs herding abilities. Most of these dogs where very loud, and would bark a lot while herding. To settle these boasts they had a herding trial. Hemp easily outdid the other dogs with his quiet and intimidating manner, and amazed the other farmers with his herding abilities.
The Border collie is not too friendly to other pets, although they do like most other dogs. They also are very playful, and like to play games. The Border collie will bark or alert you if strangers approach, and he will protect you if needed. They can handle the heat, although not for long periods of time. They can also handle the cold pretty well.
The Border collie has grown in respect by many farmers, dog groups, and family’s. Because of their calm and intimidating way to handle the sheep, and their obedience. And now they are one of the main obedience, and herding dogs in the world.
