The intelligent Border Collie: Smart, Active, and Loyal

From One Man and his Dog to Blue Peter, everyone recognises the Border Collie. With its iconic black and white coat, remarkable agility and exceptional learning ability, many choose them as pets. However, owning a Border Collie means a great responsibility to provide ample mental and physical exercise for a contented, healthy dog.

History of the Border Collie

The Border Collie is a quintessentially British breed, descending from the landrace collies originating in the Scottish Borders. Developed primarily for herding livestock, early breeders prioritised working ability and temperament over appearance. As a result, collies vary in colour, size, coat texture and ear shape. Despite this variety, most strains trace back to the legendary dog Old Hemp.

In the early 20th Century, the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) formed as a response to the Kennel Club's emphasis on show appearance rather than working skill. The ISDS promoted National Trials to identify the best working dogs and in the 1940s established a studbook to preserve desirable working traits and reduce genetic disorders.

Working capability remains paramount in breed development. Collies are quick, agile, and resilient, able to navigate various terrain and weather conditions. Their double coat protects against rain and snow, supporting their role as hardy working dogs. Both ISDS and Kennel Club registries share this focus.

How intelligent are they?

Scientific studies consistently rank Border Collies as the most intelligent dog breed. On average, most dogs understand around 165 words or signals; Border Collies can learn approximately 250, comparable to a two-and-a-half-year-old child. An extraordinary example is Chaser, a Border Collie who learned the names of over 1,000 toys and could retrieve them on command, demonstrating exceptional memory and understanding.

This intelligence is bred into them due to their herding origins, where comprehension of commands and adaptive problem-solving are essential. They can quickly assess situations and react appropriately, even using deception if needed to manage livestock. Their natural herding instinct often shows even in puppies, who may try to herd siblings, other pets or children.

Are they easy to own?

Though highly trainable, Border Collies can be challenging to own. Their intelligence means they quickly learn commands but also notice inconsistencies. For example, altering your body language slightly when giving commands can confuse them, so consistency is key.

They require daily mental and physical stimulation. Long walks and opportunities to run freely are vital to burn off energy and prevent behavioural issues. Using a halti harness can help manage their strong pull on leads. Training to walk to heel both improves lead control and exercises their minds.

Border Collies are adept escape artists, often figuring out how to open doors, windows and gates. Boredom and curiosity drive this behaviour, so keeping them occupied reduces escape attempts. One collie named Striker even holds a Guinness World Record for fastest car window opened by a dog!

When living with children, their instinct to "herd" can be problematic. They may nip at heels to gather children, especially if the child is nervous and runs away. Families must learn to adapt to this behaviour, providing training and supervision to ensure harmony.

How can I keep my Border Collie occupied?

Despite their demands, Border Collies are profoundly rewarding companions for those with time and stamina. Along with regular exercise, they thrive in various dog sports that harness their speed, agility and eagerness to learn, including:

• Flyball: A fast-paced relay race over hurdles where dogs retrieve balls released by pressing a lever, ideal for high-energy dogs.
• Agility: Navigating obstacle courses including tunnels, poles and see-saws, requiring quick command response and coordination.
• Obedience: Training basic to advanced commands to improve control and mental stimulation, useful even without competing.
• Working Trials: Realistic herding exercises, perfect for owners living on farms or those who want to tap into the breed’s herding instincts.

Training and engagement with your Border Collie enrich their lives and strengthen your bond, promoting responsible pet ownership and ethical care.