Border Collie

The Border Collie dog breed was developed to gather and control sheep in the hilly borderlands between Scotland and England. They are known for their intense gaze, or "eye," with which they control their flock. They are dogs with unlimited energy, stamina and working instincts, making them a first-class sheepdog; Border Collies are still used to herd sheep on farms and ranches around the world today.

History

The ancestry of the Border Collie has been around since people in what is now Great Britain first began using dogs to guard and herd sheep. In the borderlands between Scotland and England, the sheepdog became one of the most valuable possessions a shepherd could have, and the best working dogs were bred together.

The type varied depending on the terrain or work required in each region. These sheepdogs became associated with their particular region and eventually became known as Welsh Sheepdogs, Northern Sheepdogs, Highland Collies, and Scotch Collies. The name of the Border Collie reflects its partly Scottish origin: the word collie, referring to sheepdogs, is derived from the Scottish dialect.

Personality

Quite simply, the Border Collie is a dynamo. His personality is characteristically alert, energetic, hard-working and smart. He learns quickly - so quickly that it is sometimes difficult to keep him challenged.

This breed loves to be busy. In fact, it needs to be busy or it will get bored, leading to annoying behaviour like barking, digging or chasing cars. He is not a dog to lie quietly on the porch while you sip lemonade; he thrives on activity. Remember, he was bred to run and work all day at herding sheep.

The Border Collie is also known to be very sensitive to any indication from its master, from a whistle to a hand signal to a raised eyebrow.