There are several things that you need to learn about the Border collie breed before welcoming a border collie puppy into your home. This article will help you gauge if you are prepared and suited to care for this wonderful pooch.
1. Cost
A well-bred pedigree Border collie puppy may cost between £600 to over £2,000. Broder Collie is a medium-size breed, in a month, the expenses for caring for it can go between £70 and £150.
2. Low-Maintenance
The Border collie does not require much maintenance for its coat. However, brushing its coat two or three times a week is needed to keep it in good condition. This pooch does not emit strong odours, so bathing is only done when it is necessary.
3. Very Trainable
The Border collie is well-known for its intelligence and athleticism. Moreover, it is also a workaholic pooch that persistently performs the task assigned to it until it is accomplished. These traits make it easy for it to learn and execute commands and even challenging tricks. Because of this, it is suitable to compete in various gruelling dog sports such as herding, tracking, and disc dog. The Border collie has great dexterity in fulfilling its tasks; hence, it is a strong contender in agility competitions.
4. Can Outsmart You
The shrewdness of the Border collie also has its downside. Because of its high IQ, the Border collie can be wilful, and it might lead it into trouble if it is not properly trained. Thus, it is important for this smart dog to have an assertive and patient owner.
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5. Health Concerns
A Border collie is at risk of developing particular diseases and health issues due to genetic predisposition. The following list contains some major health risks that owners need to watch out for:
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
This condition involves the gradual disintegration of the retina. As PRA progresses, it can lead to complete blindness. - Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
This is an eye disease that can be inherited. Symptoms of CEA include eyeballs having a smaller size than normal and eyeballs abnormally sunken in their sockets. Without immediate medical attention, this can lead to blindness. - Hip Dysplasia
This is another hereditary disease wherein the ball and socket of the hip joints did not develop normally. It becomes malformed, which leads the ball and socket to grind against each other. It causes pain, discomfort, and even limping as a result.
6. Needs an Active Lifestyle
Keeping a Border collie puppy engaged in physical and mental activities is a big must. Regular playtime and daily walks are required in order to expend their high levels of energy. If these needs are not met, it may develop destructive behaviours. The Border collie was bred as a working dog; hence, its ideal human companion would be someone who has an active lifestyle.
7. Beware of the Herding Instinct
The Border collie was primarily bred to help farmers herd their livestock. Herding is its instinct. It is its way of intimidating the herd by chasing them, crouching, and giving them the ‘eye.’
A Border collie puppy tends to have a strong herding instinct that urges it to go after anything that moves, such as cars, small animals, and even children. Sometimes, a Border collie might even end up nipping a child because its herding instinct was drawn to the child’s erratic movements. Early socialisation and training are essential for you to have a well-balanced family dog.
