General Appearance
The Border Collie is a well balanced, medium-sized dog of athletic appearance, displaying grace and agility in equal measure with substance and stamina. His hard, muscular body has a smooth outline which conveys the impression of effortless movement and endless endurance -- characteristics which have made him the world's premier sheep herding dog. He is energetic, alert and eager. Intelligence is his hallmark.
Characteristics
The Border Collie is intelligent, alert and responsive. Affectionate towards friends, he may be sensibly reserved towards strangers and therefore makes an excellent watchdog. An intensive worker while herding, he is eager to learn and to please, and thrives on human companionship. Any tendencies toward viciousness or extreme shyness are serious faults.
Owning
In temperament, the Border Collie is highly intelligent, alert and responsive. It must be biddable, or receptive to training. To its friends, it is affectionate; to strangers, sensibly reserved. Its ability and eagerness to learn are legendary. Intelligence is its hallmark. The Border Collie is one of the breeds that exemplifies the work ethic. Border Collie puppies have a short, soft, dense, water-resistant coat that becomes the undercoat in adult dogs.
Did You Know
The Border Collie was recognized by the AKC for inclusion in the Miscellaneous Class in 1955. As of 1997, the top Obedience Trial Champion, by lifetime points, is OTCH Heelalong Chimney Sweep owned by D & K Guetzloff (7239 points). Open Registration for the Border Collie will end on January 1, 2001. The AKC will accept dogs registered with the American Border Collie Association (ABC), the American International Border Collie (AIBC), and the North American Sheepdog Society (NASD).