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Border Collie puppies were developed in the Anglo-Scottish border region. The main purpose of breeding them was for herding sheep.
Consequently, they were also deployed as working dogs. Border Collie puppies have notable qualities like energy, enthusiasm and power.
The general public view collie breed dogs as a premier herding dog. Globally, on farms and ranches, they still use these dogs for herding sheep. Also, trainers even groom Collies for shows.
Border Collie Lifespan
The average longevity of Border collie puppies can be from 10 to 17 years of age. The stated figures apply only for normal and healthy dogs.
Most of all, factors such as diet, living conditions and working life determine the lifespan of dogs. Working life factor is a yardstick that applies only to working dogs.
Border Collie Colors
Border collie puppies can be classified based on their coat nature, colours and purpose of use.
Coat nature
Border collies have a rough or soft skin coat. Both rough and soft coated dogs, they have a double-coat with a soft undercoat and a coarse outer coat. However, the soft-coated dogs look shorter than rough coated ones and have minimal feathering.
The rough coated dogs have a medium build and most noteworthy, the feathering on its chest, belly and legs.
Colors
Border collies generally appear in colours like bicolour, tricolour, sable and merle. They are normally found in blue, blue merle, black, gold, lilac, brindle, red, or red merle colours.
The most notable point, Border collie puppies could appear with a combination of white colour with the stated colours or just in single colour.
Purpose of Use
Border collie puppies are categorized according to the purpose of use, herding and the show ring.
Majorly, Border collie breeders breed these collie puppies for the purpose of using it as a good working dog. It was during 1995 that the AKC recognized the Border Collie breed.
Consequently, this led to the categorization of these dogs into the show and working. Show dogs always look small and blocky with a dense skin coat while the herding dogs appear entirely different.
Border Collie Puppy Size
The normal height of a male border collie puppy ranges between 48 cm to 56 cm. In contrast, the height of female puppies in a standing position could be 46 cm to 53 cm.
The average weight of a male Border collie puppy is 14 kg to 20 kg. Comparatively speaking, female puppies usually weigh between 12 to 19 kg.
Border Collie Puppies - Interesting Facts
Border collie puppies are herding dogs, coming from the Old Hemp family
People normally call them as tailor-made dogs for herding due to their qualities of intelligence and independence.
The second name ‘collie’ is from Celtic language and the meaning of Celtic word collie is useful and faithful
Border collie puppies got their name from the England and Scotland border
Historical facts state that Border Collies were bred only for working purpose and not for its looks
Furthermore, filmmakers and producers of TV shows have a strong liking towards border collie puppies and use them
A border collie named “Striker” was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for the fastest car window opened by a dog
Border Collie Temperament
- Gentle nature
- Display of phenomenal affection to the owner and much as to his/her family
- High loyalty to the owner
- Intelligence
- Energy
- Speedy response while called for training
- The natural inclination to work
- Eagerness towards socialization
- Alertness
Border Collie Puppies Names
Border Collie Puppies Care
According to the American Kennel Club, the organization that certifies dog breeds in the USA based on various scales mentions:
Dog owners must concentrate on some of the following important aspects to ensure that their dog stays healthy:
Diet with good nutrition
Dog owners must give due consideration to the diet aspect of their dog. Based on the nature of dog (adult or puppy), they must chart out the kind of food required and frequency of feed.
Breeders and owners should know that good diet and clear fresh water also determine the longevity of their dog. Utilizing the services of a veterinarian becomes essential to achieve the stated.
Dog owners/trainers must not ignore the diet and nutrition aspect. Additionally, dog breeders and owners should be knowledgeable about the feed formula that dog food companies have for small, medium, large and giant breed dogs.
Grooming
Brushing and grooming are key activities that dog owners must pursue, especially in the case of a collie dog. Since Border collie puppies are seasonal shedders, the need for brushing their hairs becomes more necessary.
Likewise, proper brushing of its teeth on a daily basis must be undertaken by the owner/trainer. Nail trimming of dogs is vital to avert excess nail growth and cracking.
Another task of cleaning the dog’s ears becomes important for owners/trainers to avoid wax and debris accumulation. Therefore, owners/trainers can follow all these instructions for proper upkeep of their dog.
Furthermore, regular brushing can assure that the dog’s coat remains unaffected by tangles, mats and foreign objects
Exercise training
Generally, many dog breeds are energetic and show their willingness to work. Border Collie puppies also carry this specified trait. These dogs are very lively by nature and wish to be on their toes to showcase their energy and stamina.
A proper schedule of the reasonable number of exercises can be given to your dog.
Awareness of related health issues
Comprehensive knowledge about health issues amongst dog owners or breeders can assure that their dog/s stay healthy. For example, genetic tests can be performed on your dog breeds if you are a breeder of dogs.
Your puppies can be alleviated from the possibility of diseases that could strike it, by following these tips.
Border Collie Health Problems
Border collie dogs usually suffer from the following diseases:
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Seizures
- Canine hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Collie eye anomaly
- Osteochondritis Dissecans
1. Progressive retinal atrophy
Symptoms
- The slow happening of night vision loss in its eyes
- Gradual degeneration of vision during the day also arises and continues until the period of complete blindness.
- Grey colour formation in the eyes
- Difficulty in identifying objects leading to the collision
- Hesitation to move up and down the staircase or jump from
- Pigment colour of its eyes will show a diminished pattern
- There is a formation of cataract spot on the dog’s retina
- Both the eyes will have an expanded pupil
Causes
Progressive retinal atrophy is a hereditary disorder where the retina on the eye gets severely damaged due to tissue degeneration. Autosomal recessive gene, which exists in the parents of an offspring affects the latter.
Another noteworthy point is that puppies get this disease even without its parents transmitting it.
Treatment
Since this is a hereditary disease, a permanent cure has not yet been discovered. Maintaining a standard house environment will help the dogs because it knows where each object is placed.
Some antioxidants gradually alleviate the rate of progressive retinal atrophy disease in the dog’s retina. Furthermore, vets recommend surgical treatment for dogs suffering from this condition.
The most noteworthy point is that the results of surgery could only further complications. As mentioned earlier, you can detect the hereditary diseases only in their advanced stage.
Hereditary diseases, most of the times are incurable, naturally leading to the dog’s death.
2. Seizures
Symptoms
- Confusion
- Gait issue
- Jerking
- Muscle twitching
- Loss of consciousness
- Drooling from the mouth
- Tongue chewing
Causes
- Strokes
- Encephalitis
- Liver disease
- Anaemia
- Head Injury
- Kidney problem
- Low or High Blood Sugar
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Brain Cancer
Treatment
Some firsthand measures can be tried out when your collie puppy gets affected by seizures like:
- Moving away furniture lying nearby
- Switching on a fan when there is the progress of seizures to reduce the heat on your puppy’s body
- Pour some cold water on its paws
- Speak softly in your dog’s ears
If the condition still persists, take the dog to a vet. The reason for giving this suggestion is to avert the effects of higher body temperature and breathing problems.
Usually, vets do a complete examination of the dog and make it undergo some tests.
The intention of such action is to find the reasons for your dog to suffer seizures. Some medications could be advised by the vet and it needs to be strictly followed.
3. Canine hip dysplasia
Symptoms
- Difficulty in getting up to the standing position and needing someone’s help
- The back legs will become smaller because of the disability to move
- Avoidance of using the staircase since its hips will not be able to handle it
- Narrower stance with the back legs getting close together
- Decreased motion in the hips
- Joint movement causes grating
- Loss of muscle mass in the thigh
Causes
- Arthritis
- Obesity
- Higher weight gain
- Hefty pelvic muscles
- Hereditary reasons
- Nutritional deficiency
Treatment
The treatment for canine hip dysplasia differs in respect of age and stage of the disease. Dogs that suffer mild to moderate stage hip dysplasia are given prescriptions such as anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers.
Most importantly, when dogs are unable to be cured through medications they are required to face surgery. Triple pelvic osteotomy is the surgery, performed on dogs below 1 year of age where the socket is rotated.
Dogs under 6 months of age with hip-related disorders undergo juvenile pubic symphysiodesis surgery. After undergoing the surgery, the affected border collie puppies will gain greater stability in the hip joint. The adjustments made in the pelvic area of your puppy i.e. fusing a portion of its pelvis through surgery.
Mostly, older dogs are noted to suffer extreme conditions of hip dysplasia and are operated. Older dogs, experiencing this disorder are called for a complete hip replacement.
4. Collie eye anomaly
Collie eye anomaly is a genetically-linked disease that the Border Collies puppies could face. No treatment exists until now for curing the Collie eye anomaly. In mild to moderate cases, there is an abnormal development that happens in the eyes.
The result of border collie dogs with severe stage Collie eye anomaly disease is blindness.
5. Hypothyroidism
Symptoms
- Lethargy
- Head tilting
- Anaemia
- Abnormal condition of the coat
- Seizures
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Sudden weight gain
- Muscle loss
- Bradycardia
- Cold intolerance
- Ear and toenail infections
Causes
The major causatives for hypothyroidism disease in dogs are:
- Decreased production of hormones in the Thyroid gland
- Adrenal disorder
- Autoimmune thyroiditis
- Atrophy of thyroid tissue
- Use of steroid drug as a medication
Treatment
Normally, hypothyroidism disease treatment is given in the form of medication and issuance of a restrictive diet chart by the vet. Treatment of thyroid conditions must be done at the earliest to avoid complications.
6. Osteochondritis Dissecans
Osteochondritis disease is one of the common diseases faced by Border collie puppies. Most of the times, this disease affects male dogs.
Symptoms
- Painful and swollen joints
- Walking difficulty
Causes
OCD (Osteochondritis Dissecans) disease happens due to the unusual bone development and it leads to inflammation of the cartilage in the joints. Dogs affected with inflammation face intense pain.
Hormonal imbalance, nutrition and hereditary factors are the main causes of OCD.
Treatment
Vets advise most of these dogs affected by OCD to go for surgical treatment where the flap elimination process happens.
Of late, orthopaedic veterinarians are deploying non-surgical treatments like Class IV therapy and laser rich plasma therapy. Despite showing some decent results, surgery is still the best option.
Medications for pain, inflammation and certain supplements are of course given to dogs with OCD. On an overall basis, the professionals in veterinary care, advocate surgery as the most effective treatment.
Border Collie Price
The prices fixed for adopting border collie puppies differs, based on various counts.
- Nature of Breeders – reputed, normal or new in terms of related breeding experience
- Statewide price variation
- Health and overall quality of the breed
- One can adopt a Border Collie as a puppy or an adult
- Nature of the breed, purebred or crossbred variety
- Place of purchase or adoption by the owner: pet store, adoption centre or breeder
Border Collie Puppies Price:
The price range of Border collies in the USA is from $1200 to $4500 or maybe even higher. The stated premium price applies for border collie breeds with superior breed lines and pedigree.
Breeding rights with AKC certified papers or if purchased for show purposes must be given a hefty price. A border collie is normally sold in the range of $500 to $1000. Hence, as mentioned before, prices vary from state to state in the USA.
You can buy Border collie puppies in the UK at a price that can start from as little as £150 to £1500 or even more. A healthy bred with top pedigree could come in the mentioned higher price range.
In addition, the normal average cost of a puppy in the United Kingdom can be available for sale at a price tag of £200 to £600.
Border Collie Breeders
Border Collie Puppies Breeders in the USA
- MacGregor Border Collies
Address: 4717 Spanks St,
Mims, FL 32754, USA
Tel.: +1 321-268-4266 - Canaan Ranch
Address: 474 Cape Labelle Rd,
Tonasket, WA 98855, USA
Tel.: +1 509-486-1191 - Rising Sun Farm
Address: 29838 Hemingway Ave Stacy, MN 55509
Tel.: +1 612-270-6890
Fax: 651-462-5967
Cell: 612-270-6890
E-mail Id: Rissunfarm@aol.com
Border Collie Puppies Breeders in the UK
- Border Collie Trust GB,
Address: Heathway
Colton, Rugeley, Staffs WS15 3LY
Tel. 01889 577058
E-mail Id: info@bordercollietrustgb.org.uk - Astra Border Collies
Address: York Farm Cottage,
Shipton,
Much Wenlock Shropshire TF13 6QW
Tel.: +44 7724 5201 - PollyVinall Border Collies
Address: Bethersden Kent
Tel. Nos: +44 1233 822424,07847 368 321
E-mail Id: pollyvinallbordercollies@gmail.com