| The Border Collie is a highly intelligent dog | | | | Scotland and England. The American Kennel |
| that regularly wins awards for obedience. She | | | | Association first registered Border Collies |
| needs lots of open space to exercise in. She | | | | in 1995. |
| is a working sheep herding dog and she is the | | | | |
| happiest with a job to do. She will get too | | | | *Some Registries: |
| bored and possibly destructive just sitting | | | | |
| around a house alone. She is considered to be | | | | Border Collie Society of America Inc. |
| one of the most intelligent dogs. | | | | |
| | | | UKC United Kennel Club |
| *Approximate Adult Size. The approximate | | | | |
| adult size (two years old or older) of the | | | | NKC National Kennel Club |
| male Border Collie is 19 to 22 inches to the | | | | |
| withers (highest point of the shoulder) and | | | | CKC Continental Kennel Club |
| 30 to 45 pound. The females range from 18 to | | | | |
| 21 inches to the withers and 27 to 42 pounds. | | | | APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc. |
| | | | |
| *Special Health Considerations. Most dog | | | | AKC American Kennel Club |
| breeds have certain inherited health problems | | | | |
| associated with that specific breed and the | | | | FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale |
| Border Collie is no exception. Some of the | | | | |
| medical problems you might encounter are | | | | NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (inherited | | | | |
| disease of the retina that can cause vision | | | | KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain |
| loss and blindness), Canine Neuronal Ceroid | | | | |
| Lipofuscinosis (inherited neurological | | | | ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club |
| disorder that can lead to progressive | | | | |
| degeneration of brain and eye cells and can | | | | ACR = American Canine Registry |
| cause severe impairment and early death), | | | | |
| canine hipand elbow dysplasia (genetic based | | | | Litter Size: 4 to 8 Border Collie puppies |
| looseness in the hip joint that can lead to | | | | |
| arthritis pain and lameness), Collie Eye | | | | Category: Herding. |
| Anomaly, epilepsy and flea allergies. | | | | |
| | | | Terms To Describe: Loyal, intelligent, |
| This disease list is an informative guideline | | | | faithful, obedient, |
| only. Other diseases may also be significant | | | | |
| threats, please contact your veterinarian for | | | | *SPECIAL GOOD POINTS |
| a complete list. She should visit the | | | | |
| veterinarian several times in the first year | | | | Good watch dog. |
| for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an | | | | |
| adult, she should visit the veterinarian | | | | Has lots of energy. |
| yearly for shots and check up. As she gets | | | | |
| older, six years and on, she should visit the | | | | High intelligence. |
| veterinarian twice a year for check ups and | | | | |
| shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog | | | | Wants to please. |
| sweets. | | | | |
| | | | Trains quickly. |
| *Grooming. The Border Collie has a medium | | | | |
| length double water resistant coat that needs | | | | Usually along with other dogs but possibly |
| to be brushed every few days, daily if | | | | not other small pets. |
| possible. She should be bathed rarely as this | | | | |
| strips her coat of its protective oils. | | | | OK with older children. |
| Brushing will help her maintain a clean and | | | | |
| healthy coat and also help you keep a closer | | | | Can tolerate cold. |
| eye on her health and strengthen your | | | | |
| emotional bond with your pet. | | | | Good with the Frisbee. |
| | | | |
| Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a | | | | *SPECIAL BAD POINTS |
| week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed | | | | |
| for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation | | | | Poor guard dog. |
| of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities | | | | |
| (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog | | | | Can get bored and destructive if left alone |
| periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of | | | | for long periods of time. |
| teeth, bad breath and other serious disease. | | | | |
| | | | Needs room to run, not for an apartment. |
| Her toenails may need to be examined for | | | | |
| growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of | | | | Possibly not good with very young children. |
| the rear feet grow slower than the toenails | | | | |
| of the front feet. Generally a guillotine | | | | One person dog. |
| type trimmer is the best for this chore and | | | | |
| competent instructions to accomplish this can | | | | May nip at joggers, bicycles and other moving |
| be found on the net. | | | | people and objects. |
| | | | |
| *Life Span. The Border Collie can live | | | | Needs to be socialized early for shyness. |
| between 12 and 15 years with proper | | | | |
| nutrition, medical care and excellent living | | | | *Every dog is an individual so not everything |
| conditions. | | | | in this information may be correct for your |
| | | | dog. This information is meant as a good |
| *History. The Border Collie originated in | | | | faith guideline only. |