| Border Collies: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Border Collie personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Border Collie, including these excerpts:
"Probably the smartest of all breeds, the Border Collie is also one of the most challenging to live with.
His superior intellect, combined with his intensity and zeal for working, are his best features - and the ones that make him unsuitable for most homes.
This sharp-eyed, quick-thinking, fanatical workaholic has been bred for endless miles of sprinting and stop-and-go action.
If it isn't possible for him to work livestock, you must substitute advanced obedience, agility, jogging or biking, chasing balls, and playing Frisbee - lots and lots of it.
Without physical and mental stimulation, Border Collies become hyperactive and will drive you up the wall with obsessive and destructive behaviors as they seek creative outlets for their boundless energy.
Trying to train a Border Collie can be frustrating, because they are constantly thinking, analyzing, and reacting to every tiny movement you make.
High intelligence does mean they learn quickly - but that includes how to do anything they set their minds to. They are master escape artists who can virtually pick the lock on your gate.
Border Collies are passionate gatherers of cars, bikes, joggers, cats, other dogs, livestock, deer, and running children - poking, pushing, and nipping if the pursued person or animal or object doesn't cooperate.
Border Collies can be a bit high-strung and oversensitive to sound and touch. You must stay one step ahead of this brilliant breed, and most people are simply not up to the task."
History
Originating on the border between England and Scotland, this working farm dog is famous for his intimidating "eye" -- a fixed, hypnotic stare as he crouches low and creeps up on the sheep (or tennis ball).
Size
17-21 inches and 30-55 lbs |
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Border Collies
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is medium-sized and natural-looking
- Has a handsome, easy-care coat
- Is very athletic and thrives on TONS of exercise and training
- Is exceptionally versatile -- when well-trained, can learn and do almost anything
- Will play fetch for hours and hours
A Border Collie may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- An intense athlete who can drive you up the wall with obsessive and destructive behaviors if you don't provide lots of exercise and creative outlets for his boundless energy
- Compulsive chasing and nipping at things that move: children, joggers, other animals, bikes, cars
- "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
- Shyness or suspiciousness toward strangers or when not socialized enough
- Shedding
- Serious health problems
A Border Collie may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Border Collie... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Border Collies MUST have frequent opportunities to vent their energy and to use their busy minds to do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Border Collies are famous for chewing through drywall, ripping the stuffing out of sofas, and turning your yard into a moonscape of giant craters.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in herding, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed.
Border Collies were never intended to be simply household pets. Their working behaviors (chasing, nipping, poking, barking) are inappropriate in a normal household setting. Trying to suppress these "hardwired" behaviors, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult. |
- Compulsive chasing and stalking. Most Border Collies are obsessed with stalking and chasing anything that moves -- children, joggers, bicycles, cars, cats, birds. Some Border Collies, unfortunately, go further than that and will seize and kill small running animals, including cats.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Border Collie puppies. Young Border Collies (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. The temptation to play roughly and nip at moving people is simply too strong in many young Border Collies. |
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Border Collies need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They become anxious, which they express by chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Border Collies need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, which are difficult to live with and could even lead to defensive biting.
- Training problems. Border Collies are one of smartest and most capable breeds in the world. Many are eager to please and learn very, very quickly. But many Border Collies are very difficult for the average person to train.
- Some are manipulative, i.e. using their intelligence to get YOU to do what they want you to do.
- Some are willful and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things.
- Many are so sensitive that if you correct them too harshly, they may freeze and "shut down."
- Finally, many Border Collies are frustrating to train because they're hyper-reactive to the slightest sound or movement you make. They are "anticipators" who keep trying to guess what comes next. They will sit, or lie down, or run toward you, or run away from you, when you simply open your mouth or lift your hand. Their reluctance to remain still and wait for your actual command can drive you right up the wall.
| It often takes an experienced trainer to bring out the inherent genius in this breed. "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Border Collie Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Shedding. Border Collies shed much more than you might think. Their hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, stick to your upholstery and clothing, and hide under the furniture.
- Serious health problems. From hip problems to eye problems to epilepsy, Border Collies are risky in the health department.
- Fence security. Quite a few Border Collies are escape artists. With such dogs, fences should be high, with wire sunk into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging. Gates should be extra-secure, as clever Border Collies can virtually pick locks.
| Frankly, most Border Collies are WAY "too much dog" for the average household. This is a serious working dog with a complex personality. Very few people can provide what this breed really needs to be satisfied and well-behaved. |
| Not all Border Collies are alike! |
- There are energetic Border Collies, and placid Border Collies.
- Hard-headed Border Collies, and sweet-natured Border Collies.
- Serious Border Collies, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Border Collies, and Border Collies who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Border Collie puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Border Collie... |
There are plenty of adult Border Collies who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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