The Border Collie: Excelling at Herding, Search and Rescue, Competitive Sports and Much More

Scout is a Border Collie we were given four yearssport enhances the relationship between dog and
ago. He is a beautiful tri-colored dog that is full ofhandler and creates a confident, bold and motivated
energy. The first two years we had him he hardlydog.
stopped running.Border Collies also excel in Fly Ball and Frisbee
His family hated to give him up but they had movedcompetitions. In northern climates they make up
from their home with two acres to a house with asled-dog teams that are competitive in
very small yard. Scout was going crazy, and drivingmiddle-distance races.
the neighbors crazy as well.Like all Border Collies, Scout sheds during the spring
He loves our large yard and can run the 100+ footand summer months. Ones with thick fur, like Scout,
distance from one side to the other in two secondsdevelop thick undercoats in winter which must be
flat. He is beautiful to watch as he seems to hardlycombed out at the beginning of summer.
touch the ground.Be careful in the hot summer months. Heat
Scout, like most Border Collies, gets along great withexhaustion is a killer. A typical Border Collie doesn't
everyone and is never a problem with other dogs. Heslow down in the summer so provide him with a little
is also gentle with all the animals we have: cats,pool to cool off in when he is outside.
chickens, rabbit, guinea pigs and pet birds.Even though Scout has the choice to be inside or
For four years he has been a wonderful companionout, if anyone is in the backyard he is out there with
and excellent pet. Now at six years old he is calmingthem, running and barking for the fun of it. He loves
down and enjoys laying around the house for mostbeing able to jump into his little pool and splash
of the day. He is very content as long as he is witharound for a few seconds before he takes off on
one of us.another run around the yard.
Border Collies are amazing dogs. Besides being usedScout is a great dog and we are very fortunate to
to herd sheep they have been used as war dogs,have been given this beautiful and bright creature.
sled dogs, therapy and assistance dogs, inBut they are not for everyone.
competitive sports, as search and rescue dogs, asBefore you acquire a Border Collie puppy or adult
hunting dogs and, always, as companions.make sure you have the space for them to run and
They come in various colors: black and white,that you want to spend two years training and
tri-color, blue merle, red and white, liver, red merle,thirteen more enjoying his high energy.
yellow, or white with small amounts of black, brownIf you are interested in adopting a Border Collie
or red. They can weight anywhere from 25 poundsconsider fostering one from a rescue. You'll learn if a
to 65 pounds.Border Collie is for you, save a life, and maybe even
Since Border Collies are so highly motivated to workend up adopting your foster dog.
many are enjoying the growing sport of Agility. This