Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About
Border Collies The Border Collie is arguably the worlds sheep dog, as recognised by the International Stock Dog Federation (ISDF), (Wikipedia, 2011). It is an iconic breed, mention sheep dog to someone and they’ll show you a picture of one, ask someone who owns one what breed of dog they have and they’ll say a Collie; not a Border Collie or Rough Collie or Smooth Collie just Collie. But why and are they suitable for you as a pet? History The history of the Border Collie is one of a worker not a showman; renowned for its work ethic, intelligence and ability it has become synonymous with sheep farming across the globe, from it’s roots in the Borders region of England and Scotland to the important sheep rearing industries in Australia, New Zealand and America it plies its trade. Developed over centuries for working with livestock from Landrace Collies, The Border Collie name wasn’t really used until 1915 when the International Sheep Dog Society wanted to distinguish those dogs registered by the ISDS from the Kennel Club's Collie which, although from the same working stock, had developed a different appearance after being used in the show ring in the 19th Century. Even now in many countries a show champion becomes ineligible on the working register. “Without the shepherd's dog, the whole of the open mountainous land in Scotland would not be worth a sixpence. It would require more hands to manage a stock of sheep, gather them from the hills, force them into houses and folds, and drive them to markets, than the profits of the whole stock were capable of maintaining.” James Hogg, The Ettrick Shepherd, 1824, The Shepherds Calendar. Physical Characteristics Dogs have been used to drive and herd sheep and other livestock for centuries and the Pastoral group of the Kennel Club lists many breeds such as the Australian Shepherd dog, Shetland Sheepdog, Pyrenean and Old English Sheepdogs to name but a few. Why then has the Border Collie been so successful and surpassed these breeds. They are a medium sized bundle of energy but with a great variety in appearance, certainly if they are from working stock rather than bred to the show breed standard. So much so that the eyes may be brown or blue or a mixture; the ears my stand upright or flop, either or both it doesn’t matter but always on top of the head; they may be black and white, brown and white or merle or even tricolor it isn’t that important, superstition does mean that some farmers will avoid predominantly white animals though. Generally of a medium height around 21 inches or so at the withers and slightly longer than tall, they have a good deep chest and well sprung ribs. The loin is not tucked up but there is good depth and muscle; strong well muscled hindquarters and thighs with a slight slope to a tail that is not carried high but provides good balance; they have a good double coat for protection against the elements. The odd scar or broken tooth picked up in the line of duty is considered honourable and is not a fault. Grace of movement, speed, agility, and stamina are all evident when they are running. The success of the breed is perhaps more down to its inbred herding ability that merely requires guidance rather than intensive training, they are capable of working at great distance from the handler often out of sight, reliant on instinct and the occasional whistle; one dog capable of the work of many men. “A shepherd may be a very able, trusty, and good shepherd, without a sweetheart-better, perhaps, than with one. But what is he without his dog” (James Hogg) They are certainly very intelligent, one dog Rico could recognise up to 200 objects by name, another Betsy was found to have a vocabulary of over 300 words and could associate objects with pictures, in 2010 Chaser had a vocabulary of 1022 words and Stanley Corens book The Intelligence Of Dogs based on surveys of dog judges ranked Border Collies as no 1. (Wikipedia, 2011). It is considered more useful to identify a working dog by its attitude and ability than by its looks. A Collie doesn’t herd by nipping at the heels of the sheep but by dominating it, out-staring it, daring it not to go where it is being herded, the ‘eye’ as it is known. A keen looking, alert expression with the animal poised, normally with the front end lowered, ready to respond to a command. Health Overall the breed is considered a healthy breed with an average lifespan of 12 years. There is a good gene pool and they suffer from few congenital diseases indeed many breed clubs are actively working to eliminate those that there are; Hip Displasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Deafness and Epilepsy have been found in some stock. Are They For You As A Pet A simple search online will reveal numerous Border Collie Rescue Centres and charities, partly driven by their intelligence and looks, Border Collies have become popular as pets; but they are not a breed to be taken on lightly, which results in many being abandoned or given up. They can become bored easily and frustrated, they are clever and inquisitive and they can start to chew objects, carpets and furniture to keep themselves amused. Please don’t add to the waiting lists of the rescue centres, think carefully before choosing a Border Collie. Sure they won’t set you back a fortune, either to buy or maintain. They don’t require lots of grooming, are generally unfussy eaters, don’t often need anything other than routine vet visits; they are loyal, easy to train and happy in the company of man. They are generally tolerant of children especially older children and other animals if introduced properly, although you can expect to find the children playing in a group in the centre of the lawn with the dog keeping a close eye on proceedings having rounded them all up. Sounds ideal but they are an intelligent working breed and require a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation; they can be dominant, after all they are bred to domineer the livestock so require firm and consistent handling. If you have the time to fit in a couple of hours and the space for them to chase a ball or exercise every day rain wind or snow, the patience to train them and become the pack leader, teach them a few tricks or jobs, partake in dog agility or flyball, for which they are understandably a popular choice; to the extent that some clubs have an ABC group (Anything But Collies), then yes they will make a good pet for you. |
THE BORDER COLLIE
Black and white with a flowing tail,
Tongue hanging out she raced down the trail,
Down to the paddock to the sheep where they lay,
Ready to chase them, ready to play.
Dodging and darting she herded them up,
Into the back of the master's old truck,
Sitting up proudly, satisfied with her work,
She followed the truck home, kicking up dirt.
She rounded the sheep up back into the pen,
Then she happily bounded back home once again.
Gently stroked then fed the most scrumptious tea,
She sat down by the fire to scratch at a flea,
The warmth was so soothing her eyes finally shut,
She dreamt of that day and all her good luck.
Melissa Jayde Elford, Australia
Black and white with a flowing tail,
Tongue hanging out she raced down the trail,
Down to the paddock to the sheep where they lay,
Ready to chase them, ready to play.
Dodging and darting she herded them up,
Into the back of the master's old truck,
Sitting up proudly, satisfied with her work,
She followed the truck home, kicking up dirt.
She rounded the sheep up back into the pen,
Then she happily bounded back home once again.
Gently stroked then fed the most scrumptious tea,
She sat down by the fire to scratch at a flea,
The warmth was so soothing her eyes finally shut,
She dreamt of that day and all her good luck.
Melissa Jayde Elford, Australia
References
Dr Fogle, B., 1997. RSPCA Dog Care Manual. Dorling Kindersley.
The Border Collie Club Of Great Britain. 2011. Border Collie. [online] Available at: <http://www.bordercollieclub.com/bordercolliebreedstandard.html> [Accessed 1 December 2011].
The Border Collie Museum. 2011. James Hogg. [online] Available at: <http://www.gis.net/~shepdog/BC_Museum/Permanent/HOGG/hogg_1.html> [Accessed 1 December 2011].
The Kennel Club. 2011. Border Collie. [online] Available at: <http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=5166> [Accessed 1 December 2011].
Wikipedia. 2011. Border Collie. [online] Available at: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Collie> [Accessed 1 December 2011].
Wikipedia. 2011. Canine Intelligence. [online] Available at: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_intelligence> [Accessed 1 December 2011].
Elford, M.J., ca. 2008. Border Collie Poetry. [online] Available at: <http://www.voicesnet.org/displayonepoem.aspx?poemid=64134> [Accessed 1 December 2011].
Dr Fogle, B., 1997. RSPCA Dog Care Manual. Dorling Kindersley.
The Border Collie Club Of Great Britain. 2011. Border Collie. [online] Available at: <http://www.bordercollieclub.com/bordercolliebreedstandard.html> [Accessed 1 December 2011].
The Border Collie Museum. 2011. James Hogg. [online] Available at: <http://www.gis.net/~shepdog/BC_Museum/Permanent/HOGG/hogg_1.html> [Accessed 1 December 2011].
The Kennel Club. 2011. Border Collie. [online] Available at: <http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=5166> [Accessed 1 December 2011].
Wikipedia. 2011. Border Collie. [online] Available at: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Collie> [Accessed 1 December 2011].
Wikipedia. 2011. Canine Intelligence. [online] Available at: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_intelligence> [Accessed 1 December 2011].
Elford, M.J., ca. 2008. Border Collie Poetry. [online] Available at: <http://www.voicesnet.org/displayonepoem.aspx?poemid=64134> [Accessed 1 December 2011].