Is A Collie Puppy Right For You?
By Ron King
Tip! Border Collies have a fairly broad face, with strong short muzzle. They have beautiful, big oval eyes, which are usually brown but can be striking blue in merle coloured dogs.
The television series "Lassie" made Lassie the beloved symbol for Collies in America. Your new Collie puppy won't measure up to the wonder dog, but you'll most likely find him a wonderful family dog.
The Family Protector
The Collie was originally bred to herd sheep, and still has a strong protective instinct, which makes them an excellent choice for a family dog. The American Kennel Club classifies the Collie as part of the Herding Group. These weigh 55 to 80 pounds and stand 22 to 26 inches tall.
The Collie is strong and graceful and has lots of endurance. This dog's almond shaped eyes seem to sparkle with intelligence, whether they are brown or blue in color. The Collie's ears -- 3/4 erect with 1/4 folded -- make its appearance both alert and appealing. The coat can be either rough or smooth. The rough coat is longer and fuller than the smooth coat. This breed can come in sable and white, tricolor (black, white and tan), or blue merle (tortoise shell) colors.
Tip! Border Collies require significant amounts of physical and mental exercise; they will walk and run for hours and will still want to play ball when you get home! They excel in agility, flyball and obedience because of their boundless energy and intelligence.
The Collie enjoys living in the midst of an active family. This breed is not a good choice for apartment living, since it's a large dog and loves to spend time outside. A home with a big yard is ideal. Although the Collie is friendly and outgoing, this dog is protective of its family and takes its duties as a watchdog seriously. Your Collie will bark at intruders, whether they are people, cats, squirrels, or pieces of trash blowing around the yard.
Tip! Agility, Flyball and Obedience competitions are dominated by Border Collies because of their energy and intelligence.
Stubborn, But Trainable
The Collie can be quite headstrong and can get into a lot of mischief as a puppy. You should consider attending puppy obedience classes with your Collie, since it is easier to train a small puppy that hasn't developed bad habits than a 60-pound dog that has. Also, be firm with your puppy about staying on the floor if you do not want Collie hair on all of your furniture. Once you allow your dog onto the furniture, he will feel that he has a right to be there any time you leave the room.
Tip! Border Collies also excel in Fly Ball and Frisbee competitions. In northern climates they make up sled-dog teams that are competitive in middle-distance races.
The Collie breed has few health problems. Eye diseases and PRA (a genetic defect leading to blindness) are the most common problems these face.
A Good Eater
Collies can pack away a lot of food. These have a tendency to overeat, so it is best to give them 3 small meals a day. If your Collie develops a bulge around his middle, talk to your veterinarian about switching to a food that promotes weight loss.
Although a rough coated Collie has long hair, the dog does not need extensive grooming. Brush through your dog's coat several times a week to avoid mats, paying close attention to the hair around his face, behind his ears, and around his legs. A smooth coated Collie needs only occasional grooming.
If you want a medium-sized dog to protect your family and play with the kids, the Collie may just be the perfect pet for you.
Tip! If you are interested in adopting a Border Collie consider fostering one from a rescue. You'll learn if a Border Collie is for you, save a life, and maybe even end up adopting your foster dog.
Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit New Pup learn more about this subject.
Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.
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