Border Collie
Popular Dog Breeds
All about the Border Collie
Hard working and intelligent, the Border Collie is a people pleaser and can work hard for hours which makes it one of the most loyal of all dog breeds.
However this breed does require a lot of care and attention and if left alone for long periods of time it will develop serious behavioural problems that make it very difficult to handle.
Border Collies are generally good with older kids that know how to handle a dog, but they do need proper training for it and is reserved towards strangers.
Caution is advised with smaller pets such cats and rabbits as it can be aggressive towards them.
Being a natural work dog with great agility and stamina, the Border Collie is a popular choice for working farms, but they also make a great family pet.
Grooming a Border Collie
Hair type: The Border Collie has a medium to long coat with a heavy, yet soft, undercoat, which sheds heavily once or twice a year, depending on the weather.
Daily coat care: Your Border Collie should be combed and brushed regularly using a slicker brush to keep its coat shining and to prevent matting from occurring. Extra attention should be given when your dog is shedding its undercoat.
Recommended groom frequency: The length of your Border Collie’s coat will determine how frequently is should be groomed, with longer coats requiring more attention. Shorter coats should be groomed at least every three months with intermittent wash & drying to remove keep your dog clean and fresh. On average they will require a professional groom every 6-8 weeks.
At Petmania Grooming Studios we have a full range of treatments available for your Border Collie. If you get puppy, we recommend our Puppy’s First Visit at around four months, once your puppy has received all his vaccinations.
Diet
Depending on the size and age of your Border Collie, you will need to feed between 24g and 88g of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. Keep your Border Collie trim by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time.
A well balanced nutritious diet will help to keep your dog alert and make him easier to train, as well as maintaining your dog’s overall health.
Our pet advisors in-store can help you find the most appropriate food for your dog, while you can find out more about the different dog food brands we stock here.
Activity Level
The Border Collie requires a lot of exercise, physical as well as mental, to keep it healthy and happy. A daily long walk is not enough, it needs various tasks which exercise its body as well as mind to keep in top condition, so agility training is recommended for Border Collies that are not working.
Where to get a Border Collie
There are lots of places offering dogs or puppies for sale in Ireland, but we would always ask that you consider adopting a dog first. Our animal rescue partners have 100’s of rescue dogs and puppies seeking a forever home and would be delighted to introduce you to them.
However, if a rescue dog is not for you, we do recommend that you choose a registered breeder and seek Irish Kennel Club registration papers which will confirm that the dog has been bred to their strict code of ethics.
