Border Collie dog breed

It’s very important to keep an eye on your Border Collie’s weight as their high energy can mean they burn a lot of calories. Usually, male dogs are bigger and weigh more than females. An adult male should weigh around 30kg on average and will be up to 56cm tall, whereas a female will weigh 25kg and only be up to 50cm tall.

Active dogs need to eat more food, so they don’t become underweight. Food measurement guidelines and nutrient content can be found on the back of the dog food packaging. You can ask your vet if you’re unsure of how much to feed them, and for advice on the best diet for your dog.

Border Collie puppies will need feeding three of four times a day, but when they’re an adult this can be reduced to once or twice daily. Border Collies should be fed at least two hours before exercise. If not, their stomach can swell and twist. This can cause life-threatening blockages and will require surgery.

Border Collies can have either a short and sleek coat or a long and coarse coat. Both short and long-haired Border Collies normally need brushing once a week. However, during spring and autumn when they shed a lot, you’ll need to brush them more often. This will collect their falling fur and help keep your home and furniture free from dog hairs.

Border Collies are a very active breed and need at least two hours of exercise a day. They should be walked off lead so that they have the chance to run around. They’re obedient so with the right training they should come back when you call.

They love to play fetch and will often bring you something to throw. Playing games is also a great way to add extra exercise to their day and burn off excess energy.

Border Collies are used for sheep herding because they’re obedient and easy to train. They’re great at agility and flyball. Use a ball or treats as rewards during your training sessions.

Working dogs are usually kept in an outside kennel. This means they’re able to go to the toilet when they want. If your dog is living indoors, it is important to start house training your dog from a young age. Luckily, puppy toilet training is easy, and your intelligent Collie will pick it up quickly.

CEA is a hereditary disorder that is present from birth. It causes areas of thinning or holes in the structure of the dog’s eyes. The disorder can lead to blindness in both eyes if it deteriorates, but some dogs will just suffer from some vision loss. 

Diagnosis is difficult, and there is no treatment for this disorder. However, dogs with vision loss can still lead happy lives.

This condition affects the ball-and-socket hip joint. It’s a hereditary disease but can also be caused by diet and exercise – overweight dogs are more likely to suffer from the condition.

If your dog has hip dysplasia, it will become lame on the affected leg. Hip replacement surgery may be needed if the condition is severe, which is complex and expensive. If surgery is not required, your vet will give your dog pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs. These may need to be taken for the rest of your pet’s life. With this medication, your dog could still have a good quality of life.

Hip dysplasia will lead to arthritis in the hip joints in later life. Your dog’s joints will become stiff, and movement will be painful.

TNS is an inherited condition that stops white blood cells from being released into the bloodstream. This causes a weakened immune system. Most puppies show symptoms within the first few weeks, but some don’t show symptoms for six months.

Dogs with this condition will have delayed development, fever and at least one swollen joint. They’ll also have noticeable facial differences, like an abnormally  long head and narrowed ‘ferret-like’ features. Diarrhoea is also common.

Sadly, it’s not curable, and usually fatal. Mild cases can be medicated to increase the Border Collie lifespan. There are some experimental treatments, but these have not been proven . 
Reputable breeders will carry out DNA testing for the condition before breeding. Always ask your breeder about this testing before buying your puppy.

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis is an inherited condition that causes early death. It’s a neurodegenerative lysosomal disease that affects a specific enzyme. It damages the dog’s metabolic function and causes nervous system disorders.

Dogs that have the condition usually show signs of neurological disease when they are 15 to 20 months old. 

Symptoms include:

•    Behaviour changes
•    Lack of response to commands
•    Loss of interest in playing
•    Hallucinations
•    Disorientation
•    Aggression.

Symptoms get more severe and can progress into:

•    Seizures
•    Falling
•    Lethargy 
•    Vision loss

Most dogs don’t live longer than 32 months with the disease.
 

Border Collie’s have a lovely temperament and are eager to please, making them good family pets. They’re best suited to an active household as they can be very energetic.

Border Collies are visually stimulated and bark at things that move quickly. Their herding instinct also makes them more likely to bark. They have high energy needs and may bark more if bored.

Yes, Border Collies are known to be an anxious breed. If they aren’t exercised enough, they can get bored and under stimulated, and this can trigger anxiety. They’re a very social breed, so may suffer from social anxiety if left alone for a long time.