7 Reasons to Own a Border Collie
Border Collies are extremely intelligent, beautiful, and loyal dogs. Find out why we love having a Border Collie on our farm and discover whether the breed would be a good fit for your family and lifestyle in this short post.
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We all have a favorite breed of dog, mine is the Border Collie. I have been around Border Collies my whole life and love how smart, intuitive, and loving they are.
Growing up, I had a neutered male Border Collie named Toby. He loved playing soccer with me and my brother and jumping through the sprinkler. When I was a teenager, I got a female Border Collie with a patch eye that I called Shine. She went to work with me, was my study-buddy in college, and babysat my kids when they were young. After her passing at the ripe age of 15, we got another female that we named Flossie. She is our current family dog and farm guardian.
Border Collies are a great fit for us. Here are the reasons that we love them and a few considerations if you are thinking about adding this intelligent, beautiful, and loyal dog breed to your household.
1. Border Collies are Smart
According to numerous sources, the Border Collie ranks number one as the most intelligent breed of dog. Compared to the Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, and Blue Heelers that I have also owned, I would have to agree.
The intelligence of the Border Collie makes them easy to train. Basic obedience training will be a piece of cake for your Border Collie. They thrive from mental stimulation and enjoy learning and performing advanced tricks and routines.
Sometimes, they can be too smart for their own good though. It’s important to exercise your Border Collie’s big brain and give them fun, but challenging tasks to complete every single day. A bored Border Collie is bound to get themselves into trouble, not limited to digging, barking, and chewing.
2. Border Collies are Energetic
Border Collies have tons of energy and require plenty of time and space to run around. On our farm, our dogs have three acres to roam during the day inside their invisible fence. We also frequently take them on walks on the rest of our 40-acre property. At night, our dogs sleep in the house or the barn, but they are eager to get moving once morning comes.
Even if you don’t live on a farm, a Border Collie will be content with an active lifestyle. They make great running partners and never tire of playing fetch. Toys are a great way to keep them busy and regular physical exercise helps them let off their extra steam.
3. Border Collies are Athletic
Border Collies are true athletes. As herding dogs, they were bred to out-maneuver livestock. They are fast, agile, and can jump high. You have probably seen a Border Collie win an agility, frisbee, or herding competition on TV. It is impressive to watch an adept handler harness the intelligence, energy, and athleticism of a Border Collie!
If you aren’t interested in entering any competitions with your dog, it’s still fun to watch your Border Collie leap for a ball or juke out your kids while playing keep-away.
4. Border Collies are Loyal
Border Collies form close bonds to their family and make loyal companions. They are eager to please, thrive on attention, and will work incessantly for treats, praise, and scratches. They enjoy spending time (both working and relaxing) with their caretakers and interacting with them.
Border Collies are often loving to their family members but may be reserved around strangers. Therefore, this breed requires socialization at a young age so that they are well-adjusted and can regulate themselves in new situations. Flossie our current Border Collie, is very skeptical of delivery men, however she does fine making new friends when guests come over to the house.
5. Border Collies are Great with Kids
Border Collies can make great family dogs and playmates for children. Every Border Collie that I have owned has loved kids. Shine used to lay down next to my babies while they would sleep in their bouncy seat. Flossie accompanies my kids when they practice sports or do their farm chores.
Exposing a Border Collie puppy to children early is helpful, as both the dog and kids can learn how to behave around one another. If introducing an adult dog to children, I would recommend gradual, supervised exposure until everyone is comfortable.
Be aware that the Border Collie’s innate herding instincts can make them want to chase and herd children. While that drive is normal, behaviors such as nipping should not be tolerated.
6. Border Collies are Great with Animals
Border Collies make excellent farm dogs because they are great with other animals. Our Border Collies are exposed to goats, sheep, cattle, horses, pigs, chickens, cats and other dogs. They learn their place as a watchful guardian and get to feel like they serve an important role of keeping all the livestock where they are supposed to be.
Since the urge to tend and work livestock is in the Border Collie’s DNA, proving them with furry or feathered charges can satisfy a primal need in your herding dog. Our dogs never seem bored because they have a job of supervising other animals 24/7, and they take it very seriously.
7. Border Collies are Adorable
Border Collies are beautiful dogs. Most commonly they are black and white in color but also come in chocolate and red or blue merle. They can have a medium “rough” coat like Flossie (see pictures above) or shorter “smooth” coat.
Coupled with their good looks, Border Collies have a charming and quirky demeanor which makes them even more adorable. One of my favorite things about Flossie is how she cocks her head when she’s listening or thinking and how she bounces when she gets excited.
A Border Collie will always have a place on our farm. Have you owned one? What are your favorite things about this breed?
