Adopting a dog can be incredibly confusing. After all, there are many breeds and personalities to choose from that picking one can feel next to impossible.
While adopting any dog from a shelter is undoubtedly a good deed, you can make the decision a lot easier on yourself if you have a specific breed in mind. Today we’re going to go over Border Collies. You’re about to learn what makes them an incredible breed, why they’re the perfect fit for a family as well as some important information you need to know before signing the adoption paperwork.
The Need-To-Knows Of Adopting A Border Collie
1. Border Collies Are Full Of Energy
2. They’re Highly Intelligent
3. You’ll Need To Keep Your Eye Out
4. Collies Are Easy To Groom
5. A High-Protein Diet Is A Must
6. Socializing Has Its Benefits
7. Cats Are “Iffy”
8. Breeder Vs. Shelter
9. Border Collies Can Be Motivating
10. They’re Kid Friendly
1. Border Collies Are Full Of Energy
If you’re looking for an athletic dog with incredible endurance and unbelievable energy, a Border Collie would likely be the perfect new addition for your home. Keep in mind, regular walks are a must with this breed. Keeping them pent up in a small area for long periods of time can lead to an overload of energy which can lead to negative behaviors. Make sure your new friend has plenty of space to run and burn off some of that fuel.
2. They’re Highly Intelligent
Border Collies are incredibly smart. This is definitely a breed that you want to keep engaged and occupy with stimulating tasks. Training is a perfect way to achieve this. Border Collie’s are known to enjoy pleasing their humans and they’re also known to have a strong desire to work. This combined with their amazing level of intelligence makes training simple and enjoyable.
3. You’ll Need To Keep Your Eye Out
Dogs are quite similar to humans when it comes to their genetics making them prone to certain health conditions. Generally speaking, this is a breed that often lives a long and healthy life with no health problems. However, there is the possibility that your new fur baby may be one of the unlucky few. While there’s no way to tell if your Collie will be at risk or not, you can keep your eye out for certain signs and symptoms. Important things to look out for would include poor mobility, bad eyesight, hearing loss and seizure activity.
4. Collies Are Easy To Groom
You may think when looking at a Border Collie that they require a great deal of grooming due to their medium length coat, but surprisingly, that’s not the case at all. Occasional baths are recommended, typically one per month. You also might want to consider brushing their teeth twice per week, but it isn’t required. One of the perks this breed has is their minimal shedding. Once a week brushing will keep your home clean and hair free.
5. A High Protein Diet Is A Must
As mentioned before, Border Collies are an extremely active breed. For this reason, they thrive best when supplied with a diet that is high in protein. This will give their muscles the nutrients they need to stay strong and healthy. Aside from protein, carbs are also important in a Collie’s diet. The ideal diet consists of a high-carb, high-protein meal in the morning followed by a high-protein meal in the evening. Typical serving sizes range between 1 ½ – 2 cups of food split into two meals daily.
6. Socializing Has Its Benefits
Socializing your furry little friend has a ton of benefits. For example, it gives them playtime to burn off excess energy. Also, socializing is a great way to prevent your Collie from becoming shy and aggressive toward other animals. While this breed tends to be quite friendly and easy to get along with, they are known to show occasional aggression toward dogs of the same gender. Just make sure you supervise your buddy’s play time.
7. Cats Are “Iffy”
While there is a great possibility that a Border Collie and a cat will get along just fine, interactions should always be monitored. Being a herding dog, your Collie may feel the need to try and corral your feline. Needless to say, this is not something your cat will enjoy.
8. Breeder Vs. Shelter
While a breeder may seem like the better option, that’s actually not the case at all in most situations. First of all, there’s likely a Border Collie in a shelter near you that would do anything for a chance at their own forever home. On top of that, purchasing a Collie from a breeder can easily cost $2,000 or more! On the other hand, adoption fees typically range between $50 and $100. So, when you adopt, you’ll save a life as well as a lot of cash.
9. Border Collies Can Be Motivating
Believe it or not, bringing home a Collie may give you the motivation you need to break out of a rut. Their large supply of energy will require you to get up off of the couch and get moving. Soon enough this will become a habit. You’ll be feeling great before you know it and your new friend will as well.
10. They’re Kid Friendly
Border Collies are great with kids. They know how to play without being too rough. Plus, their loyalty drives them to protect children which is a huge advantage in the crazy world we live in today. However, small children should be taught how to properly play with their furry BFF. Tail pulling, sitting on their backs or other types of inappropriate behavior from children can lead Collies into becoming timid and in some cases even aggressive.
This is an excellent breed for an active family, especially one that has kids who love to play. Minimal grooming, a heart of gold, unmatched loyalty and the burning desire to please humans are just a few of the reasons why a Collie would make a great addition to nearly any family.
There you have it. Everything you need to know before adopting a Border Collie. Now get out there and save a life!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Border Collies high maintenance?
You could say that Border Collies are a high maintenance dog breed, not because of grooming needs, but rather because of their work ethic. They need regular exercise and a lot of attention to be happy. Failing to keep your collie entertained can lead to unwelcomed behavior.
Do Collies bark a lot?
Being a herding dog, Border Collies often bark a lot. The good news is that they are a highly intelligent breed that is easy to train to bark less. However, if you are a person that prefers a quieter home, this may not be the best breed for you.
Are Border Collies indoor or outdoor dogs?
You might be surprised to learn that Border Collies do not like to be left outdoors. Too much time alone can cause your Collie to become bored, lonely, and possibly even destructive. They love to run around outside and get some fresh air, but when it comes down to it, they are definitely a breed that should live indoors with their family.
Are collies aggressive?
While rare, Border Collie aggression is possible. The three main types of Collie aggression are biting, growling, and jumping. The good news is that these are all behaviors that can be curved with patience and training. Socializing Collies from a young age can also help prevent aggression towards other dogs.
Do collies have health problems?
Border Collies are typically very healthy dogs that live long and happy lives. However, there are a few health problems you should keep your eye out for. Examples are canine epilepsy, heart disorders, hypothyroidism, ear impairments, and eye impairments.
What’s the life expectancy of a border collie?
If you’re looking for a dog that will be part of your family for a long time, a Border Collie could be the perfect choice for you. This breed typically lives between 10-17 years, and some live even longer than that.
Do Border Collies run away?
Border Collies are highly intelligent and they can find their way out of a yard very easily. For this reason, some of them do tend to get out and explore every now and then. Before adopting a Border Collie, make sure you have a secure yard enclosed by a fence.
Are Border Collies easy to train?
Being a smart dog breed, you might assume that a Border Collie is easy to train. However, training this breed requires patience, time, and effort just like every other breed of dog. The good news is that they do enjoy learning new things and they can pick up on them quickly. If you give it enough time, you can train a Border Collie to do just about anything.
How do you discipline a border collie?
First of all, you should never spank a Border Collie. They are a breed that forms trust and a deep bond with their owner. Harming that trust can lead to undesired behaviors such as aggression. Your Collie will see you as the pack leader. Use this to your advantage by giving them an immediate stern command when they do something wrong. This breed is smart enough to know when they have displeased their pack leader and will naturally work on improving their behavior with self-discipline.
How often does a border collie need to be walked?
Collies are full of energy which is part of what makes them such great working dogs. It’s important that they get a lot of exercise. You’ll want to walk your Border Collie for a minimum of two hours per day. For the best results, it’s recommended that you split this time into 3-4 shorter walks throughout the day.
