Living with a Border Collie

Border Collies are definitely not for everyone. It takes a person who is willing to exercise, train, and put up with common Border Collie antics. As puppies they may chew up everything in their reach and drag around anything not nailed down. They have baffled owners by escaping from twelve foot fences.

And yet, in my opinion they are they most intriguing dogs in the world. They are extremely intellegent and training goes quickly, for those with patience and determination. They love working and are learn new behaviors quickly with ease, however they learn bad behaviors just as quickly.

I feel that there are a lot of differences between male and female Border Collies.  Males are typically larger,  have more stable temperaments, and are more consistent workers, but may not be quick to learn as females.  An un-neutered male can develop some dog aggression issues, but many do not, it depends on the disposition of the dog.  They also take much longer to mature; they are generally not mentally mature until at least 2 years, and many are not physically mature until 4-5 years.  Intact males must be well-contained, so that they do not follow their urge to wander in search of a mate.  Bitches are generally smaller, more sensitive, can be very bossy, and are often quicker to learn.  Bitches can also develop dog aggression issues, because of their bossiness.  Intact bitches also go into heat, and must be kept safe from male dogs, often meaning they must have constant monitoring when outdoors.  I have found that there are many different personalities within the breed, and every individual can be very different, but that many traits seem to be passed on through the generations, so look at the differences between the sexes in the lines your are planning on purchasing.

Border Collies require training to be good canine citizens, and can develop many behavior problems if they are not given a structured lifestyle.  They can be extremely motion sensitive, and can develop inappropriate herding behaviors if not given an outlet for their energy.  They are driven to control movement, and some dogs learn to nip at fast moving people, especially children, as this generally produces the effect they were going for, the thing stops moving!  Many Border Collies are also sound sensitive, and because the breed is sensitive in general, they can develop fears easily, espeically without proper socialization.   Luckily, training is generally easy, and Border Collies respond extremely well to positive reinforcement training.  Focusing on rewarding your dog’s good behavior will go much further than trying to punish its bad behavior.   Aversive or “correction” training can cause many Border Collies to shut down.

If you are considering getting a Border Collie, but do not have much room, be prepared to take them on a long walk daily, and be sure that you have time to give them plenty of exercise.  I have found that Border Collies are tired out most quickly by mental exercise than pure physical exercise.  If you run 5 miles a day with your Border Collie, he will be a trained athlete, and you will not find him any calmer around the house.  However, spend 15-30 minutes a day teaching them a new behavior, or working on obedience, agility, or whatever, and they will be much better house companions.

Border Collies are a truly unique breed, and you are truly blessed if your personality is suited to them. I say this not only because you have the opportunity to own a wonderful breed, but because you are graced with patience, humility, and a strong sense of humor.