Border Collie

This month’s breed, the Border Collie, comes from the British Isles and has been traditionally used among herders on the borders between England and Scotland, hence their name. Border Collies are very intelligent dogs and makes perfect companions on the farm or for an active family who wants a new family member.

Snapshot
Traditionally, the Border Collie has been a working dog and is in contention as the world’s most common herding dog. It is a very useful and adaptable breed and is, in most cases, used for sheep-herding. The border collie is a common breed and can be found all over Australia.

History
Around 350 years ago, farmers in Britain developed the Border Collie to help them herd their livestock. Little is known about their genealogy, but Border Collies can most likely trace their ancestry back to the herder dogs that Britain was famous for during Roman times. The Border Collie was among one of the earliest breeds to be brought to Australia and has been here since the mid 19th century.

Personality
This breed is known for its working attitude and will work relentlessly! They seem to enjoy the challenge of herding and if they are kept as a pet, rather than a working dog, they will require a lot of training and exercise. Border Collies score highly on various dog intelligence tests and are considered very clever. Because of their intelligence as well as their herding instincts, they need to be activate so they will not become bored and develop destructive habits. They are perfect companions for the farm or for people who live an active outdoor lifestyle. Often developing a deep attachment to their family, Border Collies love company but an under-stimulated Border Collie may try to ‘herd’ anything they can including family members, other pets, cars and anything that moves. This is why it is a good idea to involve your Border Collie in as many activities as possible!

Health
You can expect your Border Collie to be your companion for up to 17 years, although the average lifespan is about 12-13 years. Despite being generally a very healthy breed, Border Collies are prone to some diseases. Among those are some forms of cancer, but hip dysplasia and epilepsy are genetic so make sure you ask your breeder about these disorders in your pet’s lineage and keep an eye out for symptoms.  Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscionsis (NCL) is a serious neurological disease limited to Border Collies. This illness often appears early and in the majority of cases unfortunately leads to death. Another genetic disease is Trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS) and is more commonly known as ‘fading puppy disease.’ The origins of this condition are difficult to trace and most likely go back to the very origin of the breed itself.

Breeding
Good breeders follow the bloodlines of the dogs, making sure no genetic diseases are continuing to be mixed.

Breeders
Jordyalan
Rowesdale
Maclusla

Sources
www.vovve.net
Burkes Backyard
Wikipedia

Images by Corrado Doarca