Border Collies

Border Collies Puppies - General Appearance

Border Collies are sheepdogs with a wide range of appearances. The large exterior diversity is acceptable because the Border Collie is often assessed according to herding skills. The Border's coat may be long or short and smooth or rough. The colors can vary from black and white to merle or tricolor, with white being dominating. Tan marks on legs and head are usual.

Border Collies Puppies - Pictures

Photo courtesy of
Hob Nob Border Collie

A little beard is characteristic of the breed. A long neck enables the Border Collie to "eye" livestock at a distance. The Border's tail is relatively long with a slightly curved tip. These dogs stand between 18-21 inches and weigh 35-55 pounds.

Medium-sized ears are set apart and carried erect or semi-erect. When a Border Collie puppy is just born, it is both deaf and blind. As the puppies develop very fast, they gain the ability to hear within 10 days. Oval eyes are brown, though merle Border Collies may have blue eyes. However, all newborn puppies are blue-eyed.

Border Collies Puppies - Temperament

Several years ago, the Dog World Magazine published the results of the research on the smartest dog breeds. The Border Collie was named the most intelligent breed of all. Subsequently, many people wished to have the cleverest dog as a pet in their homes. In contrast with their great expectations, the Border Collie didn't make a perfect pet. Some Borders were known to chew furniture, nip at children, chase cars and be every sort of nuisance. The families were ignorant of the original nature of this breed and failed to meet its primary needs.

Border Collies Puppies - Pictures

Photo courtesy of
Hob Nob Border Collie

The fact is that the Border Collie is a working dog, whose first and foremost vocation is to herd sheep and cattle. It is famous for its outstanding capacity to work. If the Border Collie isn't given enough work, it gets bored and starts searching for other areas to apply its energy.

The Border Collie is active, fast, outgoing, and smart and tends to be a bit capricious at times. It has an amiable nature. A good temperament in Borders should be encouraged and developed by early socialization in puppies. The socialization period (7-16) weeks must be the time when the puppies are exposed to a number of possible pleasant situations, people and other pets. It will create and enhance a friendly attitude in a puppy and will prevent it from developing a shy or nervous personality.

It is still a debatable point regarding what is more significant in a working dog: a standard appearance or its working dog qualities and temperament. Paying more attention to the exterior might result in weakening the herding skills in Border Collies.