Showing posts with label Border Collie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Border Collie. Show all posts

Monday, January 23, 2012

I Love Border Collie Very Much

The Border Collie is widely known for its intelligence, trainability, loyalty and strong desire to work. People who needed a willing canine partner that could take on complex tasks driven by their herding instincts have perpetuated these traits in the breed. In 1994 in his book titled, “The Intelligence of Dogs” author Stanley Coren named theBorder Collie as the most intelligent breed. This was in no way a surprise to Border Collie fans, particularly since intelligence was defined by the author as “working” intelligence (a combination of bidability, or willingness/desire to learn, and speed of learning tasks requiring fewer reinforced repetitions to master behaviors). Other breeds may have more ability for scenting tasks, more instinct to retrieve, stronger affinity for swimming, more natural show ring bravado. The Border Collies’ versatility beyond most other breeds is enriched by its physical athleticism and an active canine mind that demonstrates learning and thinking is fun for this breed.
Border Collies and other high-drive herding breeds, dominate the ranks of the working stock dog. In addition, Border Collies can be found at the top levels of nearly every dog sport (agility, flyball, flying disc, luring, tracking, musical canine freestyle, big air, etc.) More recently, Border Collies have been worked with great success at keeping golf courses and airport runways free from geese, ducks and other migrating fowl. A Border Collie can quickly master most things that a dog can be taught to do.

By now, the reader may be thinking that Border Collies just may be the perfect dog. Many Border Collie lovers would agree. There is just one job at which your average Border Collie may consistently fail and that is the role of “couch potato” or “backyard dog”. Border Collies are high energy, active dogs and they need a
job to do. If you don’t provide mental and physical activity that your dog needs, the dog may invent it’s own “games” (which can include habitual behavior like barking, digging and chewing).
This may explain why, during the process of rehoming rescued Border Collies, there is a particular interest in what the adoption applicant plans to DO with the dog. The occasional trip to the dog park or monthly weekend hike is not an adequate routine for most Border Collies.
The special relationship that is observed between a highly trained dog and its human companion is awesome to see. Unfortunately, many families that chose a Border Collie for the first time end up disappointed because they are not set up to expend the time this breed requires. If you are willing and able to spend the time training, exercising, and building a strong bond with your new dog, that special relationship becomes very possible.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Border Collie Is My Best Love Pet

Overview
Originating during the 19th century, the Border Collie was so named due to their home of development on the border of Scotland England. This breed was prized for their outstanding herding abilities of any type of livestock. Today the Border Collie is a popular farm worker, family companion, and talented show dog.
Character
The Border Collie is medium-sized, exceptionally athletic, and possesses great endurance. This breeds obsession is their livestock work. They are high energy, confident, and determined. They are light on their feet, have a flowing movement, and are extremely versatile.
Temperament
This breed is intelligent, responsive, and devoted to their master and work. The Border Collie is extremely sensitive and thrives on human interaction. They are not recommended for the novice, sedentary or apathetic dog owner or for a home with a two-career family. They do not do well if left alone for extended periods of time and will suffer separation anxiety or become destructive. Border Collies do best in a home with older considerate children. They typically get along with dogs they have been raised with but should not be in a home with cats or other small household pets. This breeds inherent work ethic will lead them to attempt to herd anything and everything that moves.
Care
The Border Collie requires weekly brushing. Special attention should be given to the coat during shedding. Bathing or dry shampooing should only be done when necessary. This breed is prone to PRA, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, deafness, Collie Eye Anomaly, and allergies to fleas.

Coat
The Border Collie comes in two coat varieties: rough or smooth. Both varieties are double coat and weather resistant and are close fitting and thick. The outer coat is either wavy or straight and coarse in texture. The under coat is dense, short, and soft. The rough coat variety has fur of medium length. The chest, forelegs, underside, and haunches are feathered. The coat on the face, front of legs, ears, and feet is smooth and short. The smooth variety has fur of short length over the entire body and there may be slight feathering on the chest, ruff, haunches, and forelegs. The color of the coat comes in all colors or combination of colors and markings. They may be solid, merle, sable, bi-color, or tri-color. Border Collies are average shedders.
Training
Early socialization and obedience are recommended. The Border Collie is easily trained and does best with praise, consistency, fairness, respect, and firmness. Due to their extremely sensitive nature this breed must never be treated in a harsh or heavy-handed manner. They are exceedingly talented in herding, police work, competitive obedience, search and rescue, Frisbee trials, and Flyball. Border Collies are also used successfully as therapy dogs and guide dogs for the blind.
Activity
The Border Collie has an inordinate amount of energy and requires more than physical exercise. They thrive on work, play, mental stimulation, and close contact with their owner and family. They are not recommended for apartment or city dwelling. They do best on a working farm or in a rural secluded setting where they are able to romp, run, and roam freely and safely.