How to take care of a border collie
The Border Collie is a dog famous for being one of the most intelligent breeds in the world!
Always seeking adventures, in addition to being energetic, very loyal, and a great companion for a follower.
Are you thinking of getting a Border Collie? Then find out now how much a Border Collie puppy costs, where to buy a pet, and how to know if the animal is purebred.
And if you already have a dog of this breed, learn what makes the Border Collie such a special dog and how to take care of your pet’s health and coat, and how to train a Border Collie!
How much does a Border Collie cost?
To start, it’s interesting to know how much a Border Collie dog costs to evaluate your decision.
If you plan to invest money in a Border Collie puppy, you will spend between R$ 1,800 and R$ 4,000.
The price of a Border Collie can vary depending on:
- The city you live in;
- The kennel you choose to get your puppy and its litter;
- Whether it has a document guaranteeing its origin (pedigree);
- If the parents and grandparents have been national or international champions in dog championships.
If you want to buy the dog, make sure it is from a reliable place and complies with all regulations.
And, before that, remember that there are thousands of dogs looking for a home in Brazil. See how to adopt a dog online, maybe you’ll find a Border Collie to be your new best friend!
Where to buy a Border Collie dog?
To buy a Border Collie puppy or adult, you need to find a kennel in your city.
For this, we recommend checking the list of the best breeders from the Brazilian Confederation of Canophilia (CBKC), the official institution in the country that establishes the standards for purebred dogs, issuing registrations and pedigrees.
The best-rated kennels for breeding Border Collies are:
- Border Kennel from Great Britain
- Dog happiness
- Borders’ Residence
- Border Sammy
- Magical soul
Characteristics of the Border Collie dog
An adult Border Collie is, on average, 55 cm tall and weighs around 20 kg. Males are usually larger than females, with an average of 48 cm.
Its body is a little longer than its height, giving it an athletic and elegant appearance. The eyes are usually brown and well-spaced, and the muzzle is medium, neither too short nor too long.
There are two types of coat for this breed: longer and shorter hair. Regardless of the coat type, it will be dense, and the Border Collie dog will be very furry.
But if you want to know if a Border Collie sheds a lot, the answer is no. Regarding the coat colors, we often imagine the Border Collie as white and black, but the breed does not have a very defined pattern.
You can find Border Collies in brown, yellow, chestnut, gray, all black, and even in a shade leaning towards blue.
And what is the personality of the Border Collie?
Since Border Collies are respected working dogs, they can be seen as serious dogs, but they are very affectionate. They love to play with their owners and are very companionable, in addition to having a sense of protection and obedience.
Despite this, a Border Collie can become shy and fearful. Due to their working nature, they are always alert, which makes it easy for them to develop phobias.
As a very active dog, a lively routine with regular exercise will help them adapt to the environment more easily. They get along well with children and are very attached to their owners, anxious if left alone for too long.
It’s worth noting that all behaviors will appear more easily with training and training of the animal.
The smartest dog in the world?
The Border Collie is always in the spotlight when it comes to canine intelligence and predisposition to work occupations, such as herding or assisting in farm security.
But this goes beyond popular knowledge or guesswork. The Border Collie is in the 1st position in the ranking created by researcher Stanley Coren, a psychologist specializing in canine behavior, author of the book “Canine Intelligence.”
Coren surveyed 199 trainers so they could test and evaluate hundreds of dog breeds and their performance in activities to obey and respond to stimuli. The Border Collie was the breed that had the best result.
You might also remember a famous German dog named “Rico.” During a television program, he showed that he knew more than 200 words, responding correctly to the command of all of them.
What is the origin of the Border Collie dog?
The Border Collie originates from Great Britain. It was a dog used for herding, due to its resistance and independence.
It was already customary in the region to use dogs to assist in herding, but the Border Collie became one of the favorites for not being too noisy or aggressive with the sheep.
They were brought to America in the 19th century, where they excelled in obedience championships.
Thus, in 1995, the American Kennel Club recognized the breed, and it could enter the show ring.
The progenitor of the breed
A Border Collie named Hemp made history during the first sheepdog trials in the late 19th century.
He always won his trials and stood out for intimidating sheep without the need to bark or attack. The father of a litter of about 200 dogs, he is considered the progenitor of the breed as it is known today.
Border Collie Dog: Curiosities
You already know that Border Collie dogs are very intelligent. But did you know that there are several jokes that say they are more attentive than their owner’s commands? Thanks to their intellect, they can create their own games.
They are also excellent at catching frisbees, balls, and sticks. Give it a try!
In addition, this breed was much loved by the British royalty, and representations of them can be found in paintings of the monarchs. Did you know that there are several collections of letter stamps with their faces?
Dog trainers love Border Collies, as the breed is considered the best in competition categories, such as Show Dog, Frisbee, and Free Style.
How to know if a Border Collie is purebred?
Since mixed breeds are common among dogs and Border Collies have many color variations, it can be difficult for an inexperienced person to distinguish if the breed is pure.
For this, here’s a tip: the first step is to check if the parents of the puppies have pedigree and certification documents. It is also possible to perform a DNA test and consult a veterinarian as controlled methods.
By appearance, it is only possible to assess the adult dog. Check if the size is around 50 cm, if the eyes are brown, and if the trunk is a little longer than the shoulder height. These are typical physical characteristics of the breed, standardized by the international canine federation.
How many years does a Border Collie live?
If it has a balanced, active life with all the care it needs, a Border Collie dog lives from 10 to 17 years. In general, it is an extremely healthy breed and it is difficult to develop diseases if well cared for.
A problem that may arise is hip dysplasia, common in various large dogs, which end up forcing the region by the way they walk
and run.
You will notice that the dog starts to limp, moves more slowly and as if he were wobbling, and tends to stay quieter to avoid feeling pain.
To take care of this problem, it is important to take the pet to the vet regularly from a young age to make sure everything is okay or to detect dysfunction early.
Although there is no cure, it is possible to treat to minimize the symptoms of the disease.
How to take care of a Border Collie?
With everything I’ve said so far, it’s impossible not to fall in love with this breed and want to take care of it in the best possible way.
Healthcare
The best way to take care of your pet’s health is to take him to the vet at least once a year for check-ups and follow the vaccination schedule.
Regarding dysplasia, in addition to veterinarian appointments, try not to force your dog’s physical exercises too much. Walks around the city or in rural areas can be done normally, but it is interesting to avoid runs in rough terrain or high jumps.
Another tip is to have a pet health plan. This way, you pay a monthly fee that fits your budget and avoids exorbitant expenses if your dog has a health emergency.
Understand everything about the health plan for dogs and cats here.
Coat care
As it is a very furry dog, brushing is needed regularly: about once every two days. This will untangle the hair, removing impurities from the skin.
In spring and autumn, your dog is likely to have a greater loss of fur. This happens naturally, so that he can prepare for the next seasons.
If you think the loss is excessive, see the reasons that can make the dog shed a lot of fur and how to treat this problem.
How to take care of a Border Collie: Teeth
To avoid bad breath and tartar, you need to brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week. If possible, daily.
With these cares, your dog won’t have many problems acquired throughout his life.
How to take care of a Border Collie: Nails
Nails should be cut at least once a month, with great care and clean tools. However, depending on the animal’s routine, the nails wear out on their own, and there is no need to cut them.
This is the case for dogs that run outdoors, on rough floors, such as dirt or asphalt.
How to take care of a Border Collie: Bath and grooming
Border Collie dogs are very independent and can keep themselves relatively clean.
With periodic coat brushing, bathing will only be necessary once a month or, in very cold places, it can be spaced up to three months.
If the dog gets very dirty during walks, the bath can be given every 15 days.
It is interesting to say that it is not necessary to trim the fur of the Border Collie, since the coat does not hinder walking and does not contribute to the perspective of adolescents.
Even for dogs that participate in shows—which is the case for several animals of this breed—the requirement is only to trim around the paws so that the appearance is clearer.
If you want to know how many baths a dog can take in a month, read our content on the subject!
How to take care of a Border Collie: Can it live in an apartment?
The truth is that small spaces are not recommended and cause stress for the Border Collie, who needs a lot of exercise and has a frequent habit of barking if not trained and is dissatisfied.
Ideally, if you live in an apartment, take it for a walk and run frequently in outdoor areas so that it can expend energy.
You can also teach him not to bark since he is a puppy, as, as we said, he is intelligent and will learn easily.
If you live in a small space and cannot take your dog frequently to large, open areas, consider adopting a small breed dog.
How to train a Border Collie?
The best age to train a Border Collie is between 3 and 6 months of age. This is because puppies learn faster and already have a brain that is apt and more keen to understand commands.
Socialize your dog from an early age: get him used to the presence of people and other animals so that he does not get scared. Since they are herding dogs, they tend to act alone and follow their instincts.
Positive reinforcement: never scold or hit your animal. He will learn commands as you repeat them several times and reward him every time he gets it right.
Be gentle with commands: this is a sensitive breed, and the dog can become stubborn if you are tough on him.
Create a routine: dogs do well with habits and schedules. Every day, say the commands, repeat them with a firm voice, and give rewards (which can be treats or affection).
How to teach the pet to bark less
The reduction of barking comes as you train your dog in general.
When your dog is barking, say the command “Quiet”. Offer a very appetizing treat whenever he stops. Repeat this training a few times, and it is likely that he will understand the order.
If you can’t, seek the help of a professional specializing in canine behavior.
Does the Border Collie need a lot of attention?
The Border Collie breed, although getting along well with both children and adults, can become aloof if it feels neglected. Therefore, it is important that the family dedicates time and attention to the dog.
If you live alone and spend the day at work, for example, it may not be a good idea to have a dog of this breed.
As it is a relatively large and very energetic dog, it is also important to supervise if it is close to small children. Without malice, but clumsy, it can end up bumping into and scaring the child.
Does it get along with other dogs?
Yes. In general, shepherd dogs get along well in packs, bringing this characteristic with them to this day, although they may want to take on a leadership position and mark their territory.
Ideally, tolerate your puppy from an early age to live with both other animals and people of all ages. This way, you make sure he won’t be scared and won’t be responsible for keeping other pets away.
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