Border Collie Temperament

Border Collie TemperamentBorder Collie’s are one of the smartest and most beautiful breeds of dog in the entire world. They have been used to herd sheep, cattle, and other animals ever since the Romans invaded Britain in the first century B.C., and they have been used for their intelligence and energy ever since. To know a Collie is to love it, but to live with it can be a different story. A Border Collie temperament requires a special type of owner. They are extremely high-energy and require an unbelievable amount of attention. Before getting a Border Collie, make sure that you are ready for the commitment.

 

Herding

A Border Collie’s work ethic is the best of any breed of dog. They were made to work and work hard. Collie’s are active, highly intelligent, and hyper-focused. They have the ability to use their “eye” to encourage sheep and other animals to obey. If they have a job, they will get it done. And they will get it done well. It’s an admirable trait that makes them extremely desirable on farms and for people with similar activity levels.

The Collie’s herding abilities are famous, but they can backfire on occasion. Border Collies have been known to try to herd other dogs, other small animals, and even people by habit. Unfortunately, they may even get the urge to herd cars and bikes. This can lead to the dog running off into the unknown or traffic and getting lost or injured, so it’s extremely important that your Border Collie be safely enclosed with a fence at all times.

 

Energy Level and the Border Collie Temperament

Border Collies require a lot of exercise. A LOT. If your Border Collie can’t preform its duty of herding sheep and cattle, it will need multiple long walks every single day. He will also require a lot of play and the opportunity to run around freely. Luckily, the Border Collie’s intelligence makes it great at learning tricks and games. They will quickly learn how to play fetch and Frisbee, and they will want to play all the time. Unfortunately, the energy level makes Border Collies especially bad dogs for people in apartments. If you happen to live in an apartment, don’t even consider taking on the responsibility of the energetic Border Collie. They require a home with a very large yard.

 

Training

Training for Border Collies must start absolutely immediately. They are never too young to learn how to hone their energy into positive behavior. The most destructive time of a Collie’s life is in between four – sixteen months.

 

Lack of Attention

Not getting the required amount of exercise will make your dog irritable. The Border Collie temperament requires a lot of activity. If he doesn’t get it, he will take out his frustration in unpleasant ways that can disrupt your home and your belongings. Left alone for too long (which is less time than you may think), the Border Collie will take to barking, chewing, and digging to release their energy.

Anxious Border Collies may also show some disturbing compulsive behaviors. For example, they may chase lights and shadows or stare at the dishwasher until it’s done. These are typically harmless activities, but Collies may also run around in circles or bounce up and down uncontrollably.

 

Socialization

Border Collies are prone to shyness. This means that you should make a point to socialize them as early as possible with both people and animals to encourage positive social behavior. Without this exposure to people and other dogs, your Order Collie can turn from shy to aggressive.

When introduced to animals, the Border Collie enjoys them. They can be quite the handful for the other animals, though. They will constantly be int heir space and attempting to herd them. It’s simply what a Border Collie temperament tells it to do.