A little about the breed
Border Collies originate from the hilly farming areas that form the border regions of England with both Scotland and Wales; these rugged landscapes saw the necessity for an all purpose stock and herding dog from which the border collie was born. Intelligence and tenacity, speed and agility and the ability to work tirelessly from morning ‘til night were the valued assets in these dogs and form the basic characteristics of the breed.
Although originally bred for a particular purpose the border collie can turn it’s paw to any form of work or dog sport – herding, agility, flyball, obedience, tracking, working trials, drugs and explosives search, search and rescue, guide dogs, assistance dogs…you name it, they can do it!
These characteristics make the border collie a joy to own and train but at the same time may make them unsuitable as a general family pet; unless you are prepared to provide your border with some activity to exercise his body and mind he may well find something himself and that usually involves digging, chewing, chasing etc
If you are new to the breed I would recommend the following books to find out more…
The Ultimate Border Collie – Alison Hornsby (editor) – Ringpress Books
Understanding the Border Collie – Barbara Sykes – The Crowood Press
These books are available to buy on www.amazon.co.uk or you could also borrow them from your local library, they’re well worth the read!
Bryning Border Collies 