The Intelligent, Sensitive & Energetic Border Collie: A Breed Profile

Adding a new canine member to the family is exciting. Especially when that dog breed is an intelligent, sensitive and energetic Border Collie! Here are some key points about the border collie breed to prepare you to understand your sweet new puppy's needs.

Border Collies Have Lots of Energy

Border Collies have a massive amount of energy. You'll have to regularly assign duties to them to keep them engaged. Otherwise, they'll find one for themselves, such as digging up a hole, running, hunting, etc. They just must exhaust their energy. They are bred over time as herders and used to running over the hills and mountains. Due to their herding instincts, border collie puppies might take the light if surrounded by a flock of animals.

To cool off their energy, get them engaged, for example, in dog sports activities, running, playing around, etc. However, don't work them up with excess activities that may be too much for their little bodies.

Preferably, your house should have a spacious garden where the puppy can run around. The

open space should be fenced and be secure enough that your puppy should not be able to escape from this open space.

Their energy does dwindle at age seven, and they will become more relaxed.

Border Collies Are Highly Intelligent

Border Collies are regarded as the most intelligent breed of dog ever. The reason for their high intelligence is mainly their genetic composition of CTNND2, which enhances cognitive development.

Border Collies are highly cerebral and can easily comply with instructions. They can learn new words in less than five trials and execute instructions within a few minutes in their first trials. The most intelligent dog, Chaser, was a border collie puppy who understood over 1,000 nouns. Teach your puppy common words you use in your daily activities.

Border Collies are also highly sensitive to decoding your body gestures and voices. They react swiftly to visual and auditory stimuli.

Border Collies Make Excellent Companions

Border Collies are not generally aggressive. However, they care about their family members and tend to be territorial. Historically, they have been characterized as herding dogs used to protect sheep when raring. This naturally predisposes them to be protective.

Generally, they do not engage an intruder or stranger aggressively, except when necessary. If you find your puppies becoming overprotective, socialize them to more people and get them more jobs to work on.

Work On The Pet Friendships

Your puppies may not always have cordiality with your other canines and animals. They may be assertive and sometimes exhibit aggressive reactions towards other dogs. This is because they perceive other dogs as threats to them and fear that other dogs might dominate their territory.

However, you can systematically introduce your puppies to your other dogs and cats. To do this, take charge of the territory yourself, and reduce the controlling influence of your border collie puppies. Also, leave them to make friends with other canines of their choice and don't force any animal on them. Note that some border collie puppies with low herding instincts may be fine with other dogs around.

Border Collies and Health

Border Collie puppies are healthy and agile. They can navigate hills and walk about safely. Your puppies may be susceptible to dental infections. They may be prone to having the Patent ductus arteriosus, which opens the blood-carrying vessel leading to excess blood in the lungs. They may also suffer from hip dysplasia, making it difficult for them to get up after lying down.

Do you have an open space and desire an energetic, intelligent dog as a companion? Then, border collie puppy might very well be your obvious choice!