Border Collie

The watchful eye of a sheepdog

Working with sheep called for dogs that could watch movement closely, think for themselves and respond to a shepherd’s signals. Many Border Collies still show that combination of attentiveness and eagerness to learn. Training together can be rewarding, though it also calls for patience and clear, consistent cues.

In everyday life, bicycles and running children can draw out the herding instinct. Some Border Collies stare at them and try to chase them. If your dog struggles to look away from a moving person or bicycle, you should create more distance. In a quiet place, you can first practise asking your dog to turn their attention back to you, then reward them for doing so. When children play tag, an adult should make sure the dog does not join in by chasing them. If your dog starts to chase, you should calmly lead them away from the game.

Day-to-day care

A Border Collie may have a smooth or moderately long coat. Beneath the outer coat is a dense layer of soft hair called the undercoat, which sheds particularly heavily in spring and autumn. You should brush the coat thoroughly about twice a week, reaching the undercoat as well as the surface. More frequent brushing may be needed during a seasonal shed. On dogs with longer coats, pay particular attention behind the ears, to the backs of the hind legs and beneath the belly, where tangles can form. If the dog is very dirty, a bath with a shampoo made for dogs may be needed.

After a walk through long grass, you should check the coat and paws for ticks, burrs and grass awns. Awns are the bristle-like parts of some grass seed heads. Their sharp tips can pierce the skin, including between the toes. This is also a useful time to look for small stones and sore paw pads. If your dog’s nails click on hard floors, their length should be checked.

Health

Border Collies can develop several conditions affecting the eyes and hip joints. Collie Eye Anomaly, or CEA, is an inherited condition that affects development inside the eye. Some affected dogs retain normal vision, while others have impaired sight. In hip dysplasia, the parts of the hip joint do not fit together properly. This can cause pain and lead to arthritis as the joint deteriorates.

Another inherited condition is Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome, shortened to TNS. TNS causes a shortage of a type of white blood cell that helps fight infections. Affected dogs are therefore prone to repeated infections, which can be serious. DNA tests are available for CEA and TNS, while the hips are assessed using X-rays. If you are looking for a puppy, you should ask to see the parents’ written results and have them explained. The breeder should also be able to explain which other inherited conditions occur in the family and which screening results are available. Changes in the appearance of an eye or repeated limping should be examined by a vet.

Epilepsy, which causes recurring seizures, also occurs in Border Collies. If your dog has a seizure, you should time it and clear the space around them without restraining them or putting your hands near their mouth. If it lasts longer than two minutes or another happens within 24 hours, call your vet or an emergency vet immediately. Even after a shorter seizure, you should contact your vet once your dog starts to recover.

Lifespan

A UK study combining data from breed registries, veterinary practices, insurers and other sources included 12,917 dogs of this breed. It estimated median survival at about 13.1 years. At that age, about half the group was still alive according to the estimate. This cannot predict how long an individual dog will live.

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