Group: Herding Group
Purpose of Breed: Herding Sheep
Country of Origin: Great Britain (developed on the border between Scotland and England)
Average Size: Bitches average 18-21 inches and 27-42 lbs.; dogs average 19-22 inches and 30-45 lbs.
Color(s): The Border Collie can be black and white, tri-colored, red and white, black and gray, or all black.
Coat Type: There are two types of coats, one with sleek, moderately long hair and the other with coarse hair.
Grooming: This breed's coat is easy to maintain and requires standard care for eyes, ears, pads, and nails.
Exercise Needs: The Border Collie needs a substantial amount of physical exercise and mental activities to stay healthy. A fenced yard, although important for safety, will not suffice. Not suited for a confined living space, they can turn to destructive behavior if confined for long periods. The Border Collie is happiest on farms or ranches where it is allowed to demonstrate its ability to herd.
Temperament: Border collies are highly intelligent, sensitive and responsive. They can also be moody, strong-willed, and territorial. They have a strong desire to please their owners and are considered workaholics. Highly affectionate toward family members, they are somewhat reserved around strangers. The strong herding instincts of this breed can cause problems like chasing cars and "nipping" children into behaving.
Common Ailments: Susceptible to progressive retinal atrophy, ceriod lipofuscinosis (storage disease), hip dysplasia, seizures, and joint problems.
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years.
Trivia: The word "Collie" is a Scottish dialect word used to describe sheepdogs, including collies. The sheep herding dogs featured in the children's movie, "Babe," were Border Collies.
More Information: Border Collie Society of America, www.bordercolliesociety.com
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
What kind of dog do I have? I don't know what breed she is or how old she is either. Could you help me?
Usually a vet can tell by the teeth approximately how old a dog is and or if they have a scar or mark if it has been spayed. She kinda looks like she is a terrier mix of some sort. ??
Looks to me like she is part Border Collie as they have that coloring. Also she looks about the right size for one.....How much does she weigh? They are usually about 30-45 pounds.
Hi..It looks like part border collie and from looking at the head, maybe part lab. If you check between the toes and it is webbed, it's part lab.
Definitely Border Collie. Our friends had a dog that looked just like her. Lots of people think Border Collies have to have long hair, but they don't. Definitely a Border Collie!
I'd guess part border collie, part lab too. I also have a dog whose birthday is a mystery. We decided on the month of May. If dogs could talk.
Looks like a border collie cross to me. Nice looking dog!
I think she looks part Pit Bull. I would definitely take her to the vet; they can tell you species AND age.
God Bless,
Sheila in Titusville, FL
Can anyone tell me what my dog is???
she is 4 months old and 10 inches high
I am told she is a rat russell or a rat jack I havent heard of this before but have seen some pic's on the web that look very like my pup.....any ideas???
She looks like Bijou, my pretty boy. He is Pit Bull and Boston Terrier. She's beautiful. (Bijiou)
Looks to me like border collie and rottweiler or dalmation and rottweiler or border collie and pit bull.
Obvious border collie! I don't see ears clearly in the picture. If they stick right up and point without surgery, she could be part Australian Cattle Dog (blue or red 'heeler'). Also, you didn't say how tall.
I think its a border collie mix boxer!
If you must know 100%, get a DNA kit from a Pet-Shop. That was how I discovered Oreo was BC/Rotty.