Border Collie
Known for their high intelligence, border collies are named for the area where the breed is said to have originated: the border between Scotland and England.
Genus, Species & Subspecies – Canis lupus familiaris
Common Names – Border Collie
Border collies have a very high energy level and require more exercise and stimulation than most other dogs. They are considered one of the smartest dog breeds of all, if not the smartest.
Their high energy makes them playful and attention seeking. They may chew, dig, or engage in other destructive behaviors if they grow bored due to lack of physical and mental activity. They require lots of play time, either with people or other dogs.
Their intelligence makes them very trainable, as long as the trainer is patient and consistent.
Border collie litters range from four to eight pups. Age and health will affect litter sizes.
Border collies are medium sized, measuring up to 22 inches to the top of the shoulders and weighing around 50 pounds.
They usually have a thick double coat, which is commonly (but not always) black and white in color.
The border collie is thought to have originated with collie dogs at the border between England and Scotland. The breed was officially separated from other collies in 1915. Most of today’s top border collies can be traced back to one of the originals of the breed, named Old Hemp.
The dogs have historically been bred for herding sheep, but have grown in popularity as a companion dog. They still display a high herding drive, which often must be trained out of them.
As of 2022, the border collie ranks #30 on the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular dogs.