Border Collie Health and Training

The exact origins of the domestic dog are locked in time and subject to speculation, but it is clear that after the development of dogs used by man to hunt, sheepdogs of various kinds were created worldwide to protect the flocks. Since Biblical times, flocks of goats, sheep, and cattle were the measure of individual wealth. Consequently, the development of a reliable dog to drive and protect these flocks was a primary concern. Sheepdogs of all breeds are noted for their sagacity, intelligence, and trainability. Rather than savage a flock as a wild dog would, sheepdogs willingly protect it. And it is this active ability of the dog to serve and respond to a master's bidding which clearly demarcates C. familiaris from any of the wild canids. These are the traits of workability which were selected for in the development of the various sheepdog breeds.



The craft of tending sheep was introduced to the British Isles by the Romans. Various Celtic clans soon created their own varieties of sheepdogs to work these flocks. These dogs became associated with their regions and were later known as Welsh Sheepdogs, Northern Sheepdogs, Highland Collies, Scotch Collies, and so on. While the antecedents of the Border Collie developed throughout the British Isles, its Scottish heritage is evident in the Scottish dialect word, "collie," used to describe these dogs. Thomas Bewick's wood engravings in The History of Quadrupeds, a pre-1800 work, resemble both the smooth and rough varieties of today's breed.

In 1860, classes for "Scotch Sheep Dogs" were offered at the Birmingham Dog Society the second dog show ever held in England. On a trip to Balmoral a short time later, Queen Victioria saw her first Collie and became an active enthusiast of the breed. It is at this point that the divergence between our modern Collie and the traditional shepherd's dog began. However, today's Border Collie has remained a true working animal with very little change from the original type.

Credit is given to Mr. R.J. Lloyd Price for the institution of sheepdog trials. In 1876, he brought 100 wild Welsh sheep to the Alexandra Palace in London for a demonstration. Three sheep were picked out of the flock, which had been guided to a remote corner of the park, and were carried to a far hill and released. The sheepdogs' responsibilities were to fold the sheep into a small pen in the middle of the park. An account in the Live Stock Journal described the astonishment of the spectators at the intelligence of the dogs whose only assistance was in the form of hand signals and whistles from their masters. It is this astonishing ability which serious Border Collie breeders wish to retain in the breed, above all else.

Recognized worldwide as the premier sheepherding dog, known for its obedience, trainability and natural appearance, the Border Collie was given Herding Group designation and became eligible for full recognition status on October 1, 1995.

For more Hints, Tips and downright Cheats to creating the Ultimate Border Collie, check out
The Ultimate Canine.com

For more Hints, Tips and downright Cheats to creating the Ultimate Border Collie, check out
The Ultimate Canine.com

Border collie dog training doesn't only have to be about commanding a dog to perform the usual obedience - sit, stay, down, come - you can also teach a canine tricks, such as "roll over", "play dead" and "fetch". The more things a pooch can learn, the better you will stimulate his mind and keep him happy.

Fetching a frisbee is probably one of the best border collie dog training activities your pet can learn. This is because he can release a lot of his energy and can also exercise his mind as he won't always be able to anticipate the direction the soaring toy will take.

How can you teach this activity? It's very simple. For starters you will require a disc you can throw to your dog. You can obtain one at the local or online pet or toy store. However, it's a good idea to purchase a soft (I.E. cloth) frisbee instead of one made from rubber or hard plastic. The reason being most dogs can easily destroy plastic or may damage their teeth or mouth if they catch it and it splinters, etc. Rubber, on the other hand, might not easily break but it does not have a flavor that appeals to most canines.

Second, make sure you have a few treats and take your dog into your backyard, a dog park or an area where he is permitted to run free without disturbing others. Then follow these border collie dog training fetching guidelines: Have him sit in front of you and let him smell the flying disc but don't allow him to have it.

When you have your four-legged buddy's interest, give the command "fetch" and immediately toss the frisbee. You don't need to launch it a great distance; just enough that your sheepdog needs to run to claim it.

As soon as he runs and collects it, encourage him with praise and have him come back to you. When he comes back trade the frisbee for a treat and more praise.

After a few of these border collie dog training exercises he'll catch on and you'll have a great new game to play together. Nevertheless, do keep in mind that while your pet will love this game, try not to throw the disk too high because you don't want your pal jumping and twisting as this can lead to serious back injuries.



For more Hints, Tips and downright Cheats to creating the Ultimate Border Collie, check out
The Ultimate Canine.com

The actual competition of flyball requires at least two teams of four dogs each. There is a course, 51 feet in length. The first of four hurdles is 6 feet from the starting line. Hurdles are spaced 10 apart. Fifteen feet past the last hurdle is a spring-loaded box.



The object of the competition is for the first dog to go over the hurdles to the box. When the dog presses the top of the box, a tennis ball is shot upwards. The dog is supposed to catch the ball and return to the finish line, over the hurdles. When the first dog crosses the finish line, the second dog can go. The first team to have all four members complete without errors wins.



Flyball is a fun way to bond with your Border Collie and give him or her some much needed exercise.

Like trialing, flyball may be pursued at any number of levels, from local fun competitions all the way to the national level. It provides the opportunity to spend time with the dogs and with the people who love them.



After watching this game, other States are left wondering exactly how Californians come up with this stuff.

Occasionally, there are advertisements for kennels raising the "best red working Border Collies," or "only working merles." Kennels such as these should be avoided. Instead of breeding for the characteristics that have defined the Border Collie (intelligence and working ability) they have chosen to mediate the selection process by adding another variable.



Throwing color into the mix is roughly equivalent to selecting the tract team for college by specifying that team members must be red-haired and fast. It weakens the selection process and eventually produces less intelligence and working capability than might have been there otherwise. It is a dangerous trend for the breed.

It will also greatly increase your Border Collie's chance of developing genetic diseases. If you do have a dog with these problems are bred "for an trait" PLEASE do not breed them. You will just cause more suffering for future owners of your pups.