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