Personality Matters. { A look into the temperament and behaviour of the Border Collie }
The Border
Collie is one of the most intelligent canines around, and is known for their
hard working habits and attitudes. It is a highly energetic dog with great
stamina, and can be described as alert and tenacious. They can be a
perfectionist with a permanent will to please and are a breed that lives for
serving you day in and day out. It is not an ideal pet for people who do not
plan to spend a lot of time with it, as these dogs are too intelligent not to
be worked with every day.
At Home
Provided they get sufficient activity to keep them occupied and plenty of exercise, the Border Collie will get along quite happily with families, including other dogs and children. They are a friendly and affectionate breed, however they may be aggressive with other dogs of the same sex and non-canine pets, although there are very many Boarder Collies that love other family pets. Owners must be aware of this dog’s need of a firm, confident, consistent pack leader, or he may try to use his dominance skills against you. If you allow him to take over, without enough socialization, mental implementations and physical exercise, the Boarder Collie may be highly reactive and sound sensitive, making him a poor choice for families with young children.
From Birth, On..
This breed can be sensitive and shy if they are not very well socialized as a puppy. The key to these dogs is demonstrating consistent leadership, extensive daily exercise, and a job to occupy their minds. Border Collies will often challenge their owners’ authority when they are 2-5 years old. Even within the same litter, dominance levels vary greatly. If you are not willing to put many hours a day into keeping these dogs worked both physically and mentally, then it is not advised that you adopt this dog.
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In Activities
For those who wish to reach high levels in dog sports, the Border Collie is a lucky find. It can be trained to a high degree, making it a leader in various sports such as sheepdog trials and Frisbee competitions. The Boarder Collie will thrive greatly with praise from its owners, excelling in agility skills and obedience. As Border Collies are originally bred as a farmhand, they also please agriculturalists by lending a hand (or paw!) on the farm.
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