The Border Collie is one of the most loving and obedient dog breeds, used exclusively as a sheepdog, although today it is more appreciated as a companion dog.
Is a small dog of British origin, often the star of big screen movies and television advertising thanks to his docile and gentle nature. This makes it one of the most loved dogs, especially by children; a faithful and playful companion to grow up in the family.
History
The Border Collie dog was recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1976, when it was included in the category of sheepdogs.
However, the origin of this breed can be traced back to a cross between the reindeer herding dogs and the Valori Shepherds. The first would arrive in Scotland during an invasion by the Vikings.
Therefore, its origins are linked to a border area between England and Scotland, as the name suggests. Over the years his role as herd keeper has been maintained, but, nowadays it is also used in other activities not related to the life of the camps, but of a playful nature, or in important contexts such as rescue and anti-drug equipment.
Appearance and size
This dog is characterized by its black and white fur, and for having a cheerful look and raised ears.
It is an agile and fast dog, very proportionate in size but also very resistant. Its morphology is that of wolves, with well-separated brown eyes, although in addition to these, other important characteristics stand out.
The head has a large skull, with a strong muzzle and a skull / muzzle ratio of 1: 1. The eyes are oval in shape and of moderate size, they are dark brown in white-black, amber or hazelnut in white-red subjects and can also be blue.
The ears are medium, erect or semi-erect and it is a dog that It weighs between 11 and 25 kg and is 53 cm tall.
The hair is very long and soft and is found in different colors, such as lilac tricolor, brown white, sable and sable merle tricolor, tricolor seal, chocolate, red tricolor and brindle, to name just a few of the many it has and has a moderately long, naturally sloping tail.
The Border Collie is one of the most robust dogs in the world. In general has a life expectancy of at least 12-14 years, but it must be kept healthy and well fed.
Training
The Border Collie has a particular character, since he loves to spend his days with his coach and he does not like to be left in the background. This automatically excludes him from all contexts in which the dog is expected to remain alone, in a corner of the garden or in the house.
This dog must always be busy, this is due to the long genetic selection that led him to become an exemplary guide dog.
It is still a great sheepdog, but its main characteristic is that it can be easily trained with it. Learn the rules and commands very easily, and it is that according to the research carried out by some psychologists, it seems that they have the brain developed like that of a two-year-old child, being able to memorize more than 1000 words in three years.
This quality makes him an absolute champion of obedience and especially agility competitions, where he is practically unrivaled.
In exchange for his docility he has a small defect, since it is such a dynamic dog that it can be called "hyperactive", it doesn't stop for a second and you practically need to be continuously in motion.
The idea of having an intelligent and energetic dog like the Border Collie could appeal to animal lovers. But you should also know that these dogs require a lot of attentionSo if you're not up for being an active and enthusiastic homeowner, you should definitely think twice before adopting one.
Dieta y nutrición
This breed of dog has a nice semi-long coat and they are very energetic dogs. So when it comes to diet, need very nutritious food and of high quality, only then can you grow and stay healthy and happy.
Your diet must be balanced and accurate. Such a dog requires protein (especially from meat) and vitamins (from vegetables). Foods containing chemicals and toxins, useless fillers, and harmful preservatives are contraindicated.
In short, it is extremely necessary that you pay close attention to both the quality and quantity of food that you feed your dog during meals. An active animal like the Border Collie needs a lot of energy (since he tends to use a lot), so nutrition is essential.
You can choose between croquettes, preserves or a combination of both. However, the best way to feed a Border Collie is feed him with homemade foodIn this way you will have complete control over what the dog eats or does not eat.
It is also important to always keep fresh and clean water, being essential for the well-being of your pet. Therefore, you need to change the water at least once a day, as well as periodically washing the container to eliminate germs and bacteria.
Drill
The Border Collie is a dog that has to lead an active life. They are strong and invigorating animals that need to feel free, so they have to run and play every day. In practice, they need physical activity to stay healthy.
The games preferred by this breed are those that allow them to recover something, they love to chase the frisbee, play with the ball and anything else that moves and then is chased.
Playing is indeed, a fantastic exercise that manages to involve us mentally and physically and that entertains both the owner and the dog. It takes a long time but it is a worthwhile experience!