The Border Collie: Excelling at Herding, Search and Rescue, Competitive Sports and more

My dog, Scout, is a Border Collie/Sheltie mix. He is a mixed breed but acts 100% like a Border Collie. The first two years we had him he hardly stopped running.

From the time he was born until he was two he had two acres to run around on. Then for financial reasons his family had to move into a house with a very, very small yard. Scout was going crazy, and he was driving the neighbors crazy as well.

His family hated to have to say good-bye to him but they gave him up so he could have room to run. He loves our large yard and can run the 100 foot distance from one side to the other in a few seconds.
It took about two years for him to really bond with our family and now he spends 99% of the time indoors. When we go swimming he is very concerned and runs around the pool making sure we are safe. What would we do without him?

He gets along great with my family and anyone who comes to visit, and is never a problem with our other dogs. He is also gentle with all the animals we have: chickens, rabbit, guinea pigs and pet birds.

For 4 years he has been a wonderful companion and excellent pet. Now at six years old he is calming down and enjoys laying around the house for most of the day. He is very content as long as he is with one of our family and is quiet unless the door bell rings or until he decides to chase away the wild birds eating in the backyard.

As Scout’s first family found out, Border Collies must have room to run and a purpose. A Border Collie are more than a herding dog. He has been a war dog, a sled dog, a therapy and assistance dog, a competitive sports dog, a search and rescue dog, a hunting dog and, always, a companion dog.

They come in various colors: black and white, tri-color, blue merle, red and white, liver, red merle, yellow, or white with small amounts of black, brown or red. They can weight anywhere from 25 pounds to 65 pounds.

Border Collie groups have been trying to protect the breed from being labeled by its appearance instead of on its skill in herding livestock. The United States Border Collie Club, Inc., opposes registering Border Collies with organizations which focus on looks rather than ability.

Since Border Collies are so highly motivated to work many are enjoying the growing sport of Agility. This sport enhances the relationship between dog and handler and creates a confident, bold and motivated dog.

Border Collies also excel in Fly Ball and Frisbee competitions. And in northern climates they make up sled-dog teams that are competitive in middle-distance races.

Like all Border Collies, Scout sheds during the spring and summer months. Ones with thick fur, like Scout, develop thick undercoats in winter which must be combed out at the beginning of summer.

Be careful in the hot summer months. Heat exhaustion is a killer. A typical Border Collie, Scout doesn’t slow down in the summer so we have provided him with a little pool to cool off in when he is outside.

Even though he has the choice to be inside or out, if anyone is in the backyard he is out there with them, running and barking for the fun of it. He loves being able to jump into that little pool and splash around for a few seconds before he takes off on another run around the yard.

Scout is a great dog and we are very fortunate to have been given this beautiful and bright creature. But they are not for everyone.

Before you acquire a Border Collie puppy make sure you have the space for them to run, that you want to spend two years training and thirteen more enjoying his high energy.

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. Check out the North American Border Collie Rescue Network to find a rescue in your area.