Border Collie. Border Collies are puppies. Border Collie - description of the breed

In the city dogs breed Border Collie are rare, and no wonder. Such an animal needs movement and open space. This is a strong, graceful and very mobile dog, which has no equal in intelligence. The owner must match her in love for long walks in nature.

History of the origin of the breed

This sheep dog comes from England. The breed was brought out by a long selection of shepherd dogs. In each generation, the best in terms of their working qualities were chosen. The first mention of these animals dates back to the 8th-10th centuries AD, and the official registration of the breed took place in 1915.

The main task of these dogs was to manage the herd. They needed not only physical endurance, good health and unpretentious eating habits, but also a high intellect, the ability to independently guard cattle, return lost animals, and bring them back to the parking lot. In most cases, the dog had to make the decision itself, not relying on the shepherd's team, which can be far away.

Thus, all the qualities inherent in the border collie were formed in the most natural conditions and honed generation after generation. They combine the signs of dogs in several different directions: a guard, a hunter and a shepherd.

General characteristics

Border Collie is a fairly large and strong dog with a well developed musculature. Very graceful, impetuous, proportional physique. Height at the withers is 50-55 cm. The dog is light enough - up to 23 kg. Her head is wide, without an occiput, like many hunters, in particular blat-hounds. Muzzle moderately short, gradually narrowing towards the nose. Eyes almond-shaped, oval in shape. The ears are small, standing or half-standing, widely spaced. The backbone of the dog is very strong. In the appearance of the animal there is no rudeness and heaviness, on the contrary, it is characterized by the amazing harmony and smoothness of the silhouette lines.

These dogs are characterized by a slightly hunched posture and a pinched tail, especially in moments of concentration. Their smooth and free movements enchant. During the run, the collie practically does not tear off the paws from the ground, which creates the illusion of a rapid slip.

The coat is long enough, thick (there are short-haired borderers, but they are practically not common). Undercoat is thick and soft, waterproof. Border Collie can have a variety of colors (as for all hunters, this is not the main criterion in the exhibition), the predominance of white is unacceptable.

Temperament and character

Introducing the reader to the Border Collie, the description of the breed should be supplemented with features of the nervous system and character. These dogs are quite balanced, you might say, judicious. They are devoted to their master completely, very clever. But do not dream of seeing this dog as a "sofa toy". Ebullient energy prevents her from sitting around.

To make the boarder obedient, you need to maximize its need for movement. Joint sports, long walks - this is exactly what you need. These are hardworking, stubborn, very responsive and attentive dogs. Aggressiveness and nervousness in them there is not a gram, these qualities were excluded in the course of breeding. They treat children and other pets very well, take everyone under their care and are surrounded by care.

Content

Dogs are undemanding to the conditions of detention. Thick hair allows them to live in the nursery, the main thing - do not forget about the need to communicate with the animal, physical and mental training. This is not necessarily a shepherd's job, it's hard to find a dog like this in the city. Classes at a special site, apportionment, games with ball and sticks, swimming, various obedience competitions will provide the necessary load, and you will have a good time with your pet.

Border Collie does not tolerate imprisonment in four walls. If its energy has nowhere to go, it turns into destructive. If you live in an apartment and the whole day at work, this is not your pet.

In nutrition, the dog is not too picky (if you do not spoil it). It is not recommended to completely transfer the collies to dry food, but it is permissible to partially switch them on. At least half of the diet should be products of animal origin. Pay special attention to the quality of feed. It is better to feed the dog a little more than to overfeed. An animal should always have access to clean water.

Pet care

First of all, it's hard workers, not show-class dogs. Therefore, despite the participation in exhibitions (recently), they do not require special care. Wool must be combed twice a month, the exception is the moult period, then it becomes a daily procedure. Natural discharge from the eyes can be removed with a tampon moistened with a decoction of chamomile or a special lotion. Do not rinse your eyes.

Necessarily need to clean your ears. This is done with a cotton swab. In case of defeat by an ear mite, special means should be used. Get a claw, so that a part of the claws does not hurt the paw.

In the spring-autumn period, check your pet for the presence of ticks. Most often they dig into the neck, behind the ears or in the groin. To prevent this, use special sprays and collars. Do not forget that pincers suffer a dangerous disease - pyroplasmosis.

These wonderful puppies

The dog comes to our house most often with charming fuzzy. It must be remembered that a puppy requires attention, caresses and patience no less than a small child. And it does not matter at all whether you are a purebred dog or a cross-border collie.

From the first day, highlight the puppy's own place, buy a feeder and a drinking bowl on a height-adjustable stand. It is very important to work out the right regime of the day, to observe the feeding strictly by the hour. Giving food from your table, you often harm the pet.

Remember that in the first months of life, border collies (puppies) are very sensitive to the diet. It should be rich in proteins, vitamins and trace elements. If the puppy does not finish eating his portion, remove the cup and perform the next feeding at the appropriate time.

Do not load a small collie with exercise and long walks. The process of physical development must go gradually and as naturally as possible. Care for the puppies is also uncomplicated: they should be combed until the puppy fluff is replaced by a stiffer coat.

By three months, adolescents have become very plain. This is a transitional period that all border-collies (puppies) pass. A photo for future producer advertising is better done a little later, when the dog outgrows this age.

Education and training

Toddlers until the year require only education. This is the time when the Border Collie character is formed. Puppies need love and affection. Calm and confident tone, consistency in their demands - a pledge that the dog will grow mentally healthy. As in the case of a small child, screaming and physical punishment do not solve anything, they only show your weakness and inconsistency. As a consequence, you gradually lose credibility.

Only caress and justice can give a good upbringing. The punishment should be expressed in an adequate form and applied at the time of the offense. Praise should be wasted much more often, because the fact that the puppy did not behave badly does not mean that it is bad.

When the boarder has grown, you can proceed to training. You just need to repeat the day from the day the team and fix the result with positive incentives. Puppy will easily learn to fulfill all the requirements, brilliantly pass the tests for obedience for your praise alone. Do not skimp on promotion and affection.

Diseases, treatment and prevention

Healthy eating, physical activity and preventive vaccinations are a guarantee of the health of your border collie. There are specific diseases that are peculiar to this breed. This is dysplasia of the hip joint, retinal atrophy, epilepsy, allergy and osteochondrosis. It is necessary to periodically check with a veterinarian in time to identify the signs of the developing disease and begin treatment.

Application of rock

This is one of the few dogs that continues to be used for its intended purpose. This is not surprising, because the unique qualities that allow her to be the best shepherd, have been honed for centuries. Thanks to high intelligence and a good sense of smell, she copes brilliantly with operational-search tasks. Finally, ingenuity and peaceableness make it easy to train brotheers in the work of guides. And only their activity and the desire for constant movement do not allow you to bypass the quieter retrievers in this field.

We rarely meet on the street border collie. The price for these dogs is quite high - about $ 500. If we talk about the elite manufacturers of the show class, it is even greater. However, in urban conditions the breed does not take root well. Without work or the constant attention of the owner, the Border will spoil your property, chase your shadow, demolish everything along the way, and even harm yourself, gnawing at the paws or tail.

conclusions

Border Collie is a wonderful dog, one of the most intelligent members of his family. If you have a country house and a large farm (especially animals that require grazing), it will be your best companion and companion.