Border Collie - Unsurpassed Intelligence and Endless Stamina

Average size and life span: Medium, 12years. Exercise levels: Border collies need a lot of physical activity and mental stimulation and this should be considered carefully before you get a puppy. Being left alone for long periods - more than 6 hours at a time and just being taken out for a walk in the mornings and evenings is not enough for this breed. More than anything Border Collies need to have a job and if you don't give them one, then they will make their own, such as the total destruction of your house.

Grooming: Medium – Brushing 2-3 times per week. Though border collies do have fairly long fur, it's coarse and not prone to becoming matted. The only part where fur will often become tangled is the tail and under the arms, these parts should be brushed thoroughly.

Temperament: Very loyal dogs Border collies bond strongly with their owner and are often slightly aloof to strangers. These dogs are not really ideal for a family household that have very young children as they tend to try to herd them, which can include nipping. Active families where someone is home in the day and the children are more grown up are ideal as someone is always around to entertain the dog.

Ease of Training: On the dog intelligence scale the border collie is number one. A highly trainable breed that's very smart and eager to please.

While very eager to please border collies are unusually sensitive and respond badly to harsh treatment, even just being shouted at. Remember training should always be fun everyone.

Special Training: Border collies pick up new tricks incredibly quickly and training them will give them the mental stimulation they need.

Border collies excel at agility and herding, fly ball is also very popular.

Dog dancing is becoming ever more popular and border collies are often seen competing at championship level. This breed responds well to the complexity of the dance moves, the high levels of activity required and the applause of the audience.