The Complete Guide to Border Collies: Training, Teaching, Feeding, Raising, and Loving Your New Border Collie Puppy

By David Anderson

If you've ever seen a dog in a television commercial, there's a pretty good chance it was a Border Collie. Or, if you've watched herding competitions, you've probably seen a Border Collie controlling the herd. First and foremost, Border Collies are sheep herders. But when they're not on the clock, they can make excellent companions. They're energetic, playful, and extremely intelligent. They're also sensitive, affectionate, and adorable.

Even though this breed is still vital to livestock owners, we will focus on the Border Collie as a pet in this book.
Intelligence is perhaps the most prominent trait of the Border Collie. In the pasture, this dog can understand specific commands and respond accordingly.

They also excel at obedience competitions and agility runs because they can pick up new skills quickly and respond to challenging commands.
This book will give you the information you need to jump-start your ownership journey, including:

• Border Collie History
• Choosing a Border Collie
• Preparing your Home for your Border Collie
• Bringing Home your Border Collie
• Being a Puppy Parent
• Housetraining
• Socializing with People and Animals
• Border Collies and Your Other Pets
• Physical and Mental Exercise
• Training your Border Collie
• Basic Commands
• Dealing With Unwanted Behaviors
• Traveling with Border Collies
• Nutrition
• Grooming your Border Collie
• Basic Health Care
• Advanced Border Collie Health and Aging Dog Care

This book will become your go-to guide throughout your BC's life, as it has helpful hints and reminders that will prove to be practical far into their adulthood.
Border Collies are an absolute joy to have as pets. These dogs are beautiful, intelligent, and silly. They love to test their owners and call the shots, but at the end of the day, they're capable of following orders. You'll never find another dog quite like them, as they're capable of running around one minute and snuggling up beside you the next.

All your Border Collie wants is a purpose. While they may drive you nuts when they're bored, it's amazing to watch them work. Whether your Border Collie's "job" is to tend livestock, chase the rabbits and birds from your garden, or just be a loving companion, you'll find that your Border Collie will do anything for the love and affection with which you pay them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Anderson
• Release date: Sep 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386239550

David Anderson

David Anderson lives in Minnesota with with wife Rebecca and their Teddy Bear puppy Buddy. An avid dog lover his whole life, David has translated that passion into his writing. Growing up on a farm, David was exposed to all sorts of animals; raising Cattle, Sheep, Hogs, Horses, and Chickens, as well as caring for his families dogs and cats. "Some of my favorite memories as a child involve running through the pasture with my dogs, and lazy summer days spent lying in the grass with all the animals" Anderson said. "As a young boy I really wanted to be a veterinarian, and while I eventually chose a different path, my passion for animals never wore off." That passion for animals continued as he graduated college and started to make his way into the world. Mr. Anderson launched LP Media, a company that is dedicated to promoting and educating the public about the joys of pet ownership. The company started small, but quickly grew and now helps over a million pet owners every month. Anderson continues to write and search for ways to help other people who are contemplating the decision to become a pet owner. "My work is never done" he said. "I love helping other people and providing great resources that they can use to help better their lives, and the lives of their pets. I plan on continuing to create great products that help pet owners for as long as I can!"

Book preview

Chapter 1

What is a Border Collie?

If you’ve ever seen a dog in a television commercial, there’s a pretty good chance it was a Border Collie. Or, if you’ve watched herding competitions, you’ve probably seen a Border Collie controlling the herd. First and foremost, Border Collies are sheep herders. But when they’re not on the clock, they can make excellent companions. They’re energetic, playful, and extremely intelligent. They’re also sensitive, affectionate, and adorable. Even though this breed is still vital to livestock owners, we will focus on the Border Collie as a pet in this book.

History

The Border Collie hails from the border of England and Scotland. While it is not exactly certain when the early form of this breed was first utilized, they were most likely referred to as a ‘sheepdog’ since that was their function. In general, herding dogs date back to Biblical times; though these dogs were of various breeds, they were most likely chosen for their ability to help a shepherd watch a flock rather than because they were of a specific breed. These dogs were bred for intelligence and agility and do not resemble the Border Collie of today. It is believed that the formation of the Border Collie came from years of breeding dogs with useful traits to create the ultimate herder. But, because wool production was so important to the British, we can trace early Border Collies—as we know them—to this region, approximately five hundred years ago.

From the 1700s on, we see more documentation of herding dogs that match the description of today’s Border Collie. One common theme in these documents is the Border Collie eye, or the intense stare these dogs possess. This stare is a trademark of the Border Collie, who use this gaze and laser focus to direct sheep.

Somewhere along the way, this wide classification of sheepdogs was broken down into more specific breeds, according to their use in the pasture. Dogs that were better with cattle were given one group designation, just as dogs that fared well with large groups of sheep were given another. Many of these breeds no longer exist, but the Border Collie prevailed and came into greater distinction around the late 1800s.

In 1859, the Border Collie made the transition from being strictly a working dog to also show dog. With the creation of herding trials, this breed was introduced to the common people. People naturally took a liking to this dog because of their speed, agility, sharp mind, and beautiful looks. This popularity would result in the breed becoming even more refined as owners tried to breed the perfect specimen. Though they were on the verge of becoming pets, characteristics such as the Border Collie eye and a strong work ethic were still in high regard.

But with the newfound popularity of the breed, there were concerns about the traits being bred into the dogs. Naturally, shepherds wanted the best herding traits to be bred into the dogs. On the other hand, handlers had a different idea about what made a good show dog. While sheep don’t care about how pretty a dog is, appearance is crucial in the show ring. Some feared that herding traits would be abandoned for aesthetic traits, weakening the breed’s superior instinct.

As the British empire expanded to areas abroad, so did their working dogs. The breed that was once localized to a specific area was transported all over the globe. The Border Collie appeared in the United States in the late 1800s and became invaluable to shepherds. In New Zealand, where sheep outnumber people, there is always work for a Border Collie. Recently, shepherds experimented with using drones to herd sheep as an alternative to dogs but found that they weren’t nearly as effective. These dogs will not find themselves out of a job any time soon.

Fortunately, Border Collies on either side of the herding/showing divide manage to coexist. Not every Border Collie is alike—some live to work sheep, while others prefer human company. For a singular breed, there isn’t necessarily an exact standard to strive for, but rather a guide for breeding for a specific purpose. Even today, you’ll find that some dogs do better in the pastures, and some are better suited for the home. Shepherds continue to breed good workers according to the traits they value in a herder. Similarly, handlers involved with the various kennel clubs breed dogs in order to create champions. In the end, this recognizable breed has the flexibility to either live on the farm or in the home, through nature and nurture.

Appearance

Border Collies have some variance in their appearance, but they all have some common features that make them adorable dogs. Because Border Collies are still commonly used to tend to livestock, there is less of a concern about breeding for appearance unless the pups are being used in shows. While it is the job of some Border Collies to do tricks and look pretty, not all fit into that category.

Border Collies are medium-sized dogs, large enough to impose fear in sheep, but small enough to be agile. On average, this dog is about 18-22 inches tall and weighs somewhere between 35 and 50 pounds. Their front quarters are strong enough to hold their body weight while crouching so they won’t tire while working, and their back quarters are muscular and springy to propel them forward. They also have a long, deep chest with ample space for lungs to take in lots of air as they run. When given the exercise they demand, Border Collies are not likely to grow pudgy; they should be wide through the shoulders and chest and narrow at the waist. This breed is sleek and built for speed, but nimble enough to fit in tight corners and stop on a dime. This agility is evident when they’re working sheep in a pasture or when you’re trying to catch your loose Border Collie after going off-leash.

The coat is where some distinction between work and show Border Collies exists. Their coat type can be classified as rough or smooth. Of course, it is possible that there can be any length or texture in between the two types, depending on the types the parents possess. The smooth type is short and wiry. This is not unlike the coat of other short-haired dogs, like the Labrador. This coat type is arguably best for working dogs, as a low-maintenance hairstyle suits the farm. Working Border Collies need to be able to run around without getting plants and animal excrement caught in their fur. If a Border Collie is required to run through brambles, the smooth coat variety will make it out without snags and tears. If this dog gets dirty, they only require a quick rinse before going back out on the job.

The rough coated Border Collie is the one most likely to be seen in a dog show or in commercials. This dog has long, flowing fur that can be either straight or wavy. Many rough coated Border Collies have feathering on the back of their legs and around the face. This coat type does not require professional grooming, but it does need a good brushing, or else mats and tangles can develop.

Both coat types have an undercoat and a top coat. The undercoat is what protects the Border Collie from harsh weather conditions. It keeps them warm in frigid temperatures and also makes them waterproof in rain and snow. It grows thick and full in the winter and thins out when the weather gets warm. This is when brushing is most important, or the shedding undercoat won’t have the opportunity to be released and will turn into mats.

While many Border Collies are white and black, there are more possible variations in the breed. White Border Collies, or ones with more prominent white patches, may be favored as herding dogs because they are easier to spot in a field. Also, their different-colored markings helps them stand out against a background of white sheep. While bi-color dogs in white and black—or white and brown—are very common, this breed can also be a single color, tri-color, or a merle pattern. Blue, brindle, grey, and tan are other color possibilities.

Behavioral Characteristics

Just as there is no one acceptable Border Collie coat type or color, there is no universal list of Border Collie personality traits. Personality traits are a result of breeding and socialization. It takes a comprehensive understanding of the breed to be able to master both. Like with appearance, what personality traits suit one purpose might not be best for another. Livestock owners will have a different set of criteria than an obedience trainer might. But, in general, Border Collies can be exceedingly intelligent, energetic, friendly, and sensitive.

Intelligence is perhaps the most prominent trait of the Border Collie. In the pasture, this dog can understand specific commands and respond accordingly. They also excel at obedience competitions and agility runs because they can pick up new skills quickly and respond to challenging commands. These dogs are so smart that they can learn a fairly extensive vocabulary and can identify objects by name. Perhaps the most famous example of this is Chaser, who knows over a thousand words. They are also capable of understanding human grammar, being able to hear a sentence with nouns, verbs, and prepositions, and respond to the command. For example, a very well-trained Border Collie can hear the command Leave ball under table and do just that.

These dogs are also a non-stop source of energy. Originally bred to work all day, these dogs are not often lazy. If they’re not rounding up sheep, they’ll be begging you to throw the ball for hours. They can chase birds and rabbits around the backyard without wearing out. Daily walks are non-negotiable with this breed. They require a long walk or a short run just to fulfill basic needs. Along with this activity, they need to be able to play. While you may think you have worn your dog out with a vigorous game of Frisbee, they’ll be raring to go after just a short rest.

Along with physical energy, they have a lot of mental energy. Whether you set up a puzzle game for them to play or you take them to a new place with new things to smell, they need to be continuously mentally stimulated to keep them from going crazy with boredom.

Sensitivity is also important to the breed. Simply put, a dog’s sensitivity helps them perceive things other dogs (and humans) might ignore. This makes a dog appear more intuitive when performing a job. On the farm, a Border Collie will excel at herding if they are able to hear their master’s commands, understand the herd’s motives, and react accordingly to make them behave. In the obedience ring, it may be easier to train a Border Collie because they are eager to please their owner. Sometimes, this sensitivity makes it seem like a dog knows right from wrong without ever being taught certain skills. They can pinpoint emotions in their owner’s voice and body language. Other times, this sensitivity can cause them to be skittish if they perceive something benign as a threat.

Especially in Border Collies that have been bred to be companions, these dogs are sweet and affectionate. A Border Collie is likely to march up to a stranger and lick them on the face. They are eager to please and get along well with children. They are capable of being great companion animals and emotional support dogs because they can pick up on their owner’s emotions and be available for cuddles whenever needed. If in the right home, a Border Collie can turn into a little Velcro dog who sticks to their owner’s side and looks to them at every turn. They will cry when you leave and greet you with a wagging tail when you come home.

Not all common traits are positive ones. While your Border Collie may be a hard worker, they may also be bossy in your home. The determination and stubbornness they use to drive sheep can also be used to push their people around. This dog might take the opportunity to herd children around a yard, nipping at their ankles. This dog may also whine relentlessly until you let them outside