The Happy, Happy Herder
With their playful tail wags, bubbly personality, watchful eyes, and endless battery, the Border Collie is anything but a couch potato. This breed has high energy and stamina. A seemingly bottomless pit of energy powers this dog’s fearless drive and deep well of curiosity. They are highly active and thrive on physical tasks. And, in the past, ranchers saw this drive as an asset to keep their livestock under watch.
Today, because of their high energy, these dogs are best-suited for active households in need of a loyal, lovable sidekick. They make great companions for running, hiking, or walking. But just be prepared to tire out long before they do. Miles into any adventure, that tail will just keep on waggin’.
At Happy Paws, we’re dedicated to helping all dogs, from purebreds to certified mutts, live their happiest, healthiest lives. We’ve designed our dog supplements to support common health needs in your dog’s health, including common issues for a Border Collie.
In this article, we’ll explore the history of this Scottish dog breed, provide some information and advice on how to care for them, and help you decide which supplements are best for your tireless sidekick, the Border Collie.
Quick Facts
Origin: United Kingdom
Size: Medium
Breed Group: Herding
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Coat: Long—weekly grooming recommended
Temperament: These dogs are affectionate, intelligent, and social.. They make great family dogs and can adapt well with children and other pets, if all parties are socialized appropriately. But their energy may not be suited for all pet parents. So, before adopting a Border Collie, assess your lifestyle. Would an energetic, active Border Collie fit seamlessly into your daily routine?
Exercise Needs: Nestled deep in their genes, Border Collies are natural herding dogs. In some parts of the world, these dogs are still used to keep livestock in line, barreling down hills and valleys to chase down wayward cattle. So, these dogs have grown to need hours of aerobic exercise every week to release excess energy. These dogs are also incredibly smart and agile. So, they can pick up agility training pretty fast. And they oh-so love it.
Training: All dogs need some varying degrees of training. Compared to other breeds, Border Collies need a little more than most, thanks to their high energy and natural herding instinct. While it might be their nature, a Border Collie’s instinct to herd can translate to them herding children or elderly folk. Sometimes, this may seem harmless, but it can reinforce unwanted behaviors. So, it’s important to steer these dogs away from herding guests and family members, as they can cause a fall or nip at a child’s heels.
Dog Health: Similar to other small-to-medium-sized dogs, Collies are prone to unique health challenges, such as joint issues, digestive problems, vitamin deficiencies, and more. We’ll discuss how to address each below.
Happy Paws for Border Collies
Enrich your Border Collie’s health with high-quality, tasty supplements like these!
| Type of Happy Paws Supplement | Best for … |
| Skin & Coat Dog Chews | Strengthening your dog’s coat & dermal health. |
| Dental Dog Chews | Fighting tooth decay & smelly breath. |
| 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews | Giving your pupper a daily dose of essential vitamins, minerals & other nutrients. |
| Bladder Health Dog Chews | Reinforcing your dog’s kidney & urinary tract system. |
| Hip & Joint Dog Chews | Soothing common symptoms of joint dysplasia & inflammation. |
| Probiotic Dog Chews | Restoring the healthy bacteria in your dog’s digestive system. |
In-Depth Look at These Popular Dog Supplements
Our high-quality, tail-waggin’ dog supplements use an array of all-natural, organic ingredients to enrich your dog’s physical and mental health, while satisfying their taste buds. Here are a few dog supplements to help you care for your pup.
Skin & Coat Dog Chews: Our Skin & Coat Dog Chews help keep the glow in your Collie’s sheen. These vegan, chicken-flavored soft chews utilize a blend of skin-supporting ingredients, including biotin and coconut oil, to promote dermal health and nourish your dog’s coat.
Bladder Health Dog Chews: Our Bladder Health Dog Chews use natural, renal-supporting ingredients to strengthen your pup’s kidneys and reinforce proper bladder health.
Dental Dog Chews: All dogs can experience bad breath (yes, even the fluffy ones). Our Dental Dog Chews combine the refreshing aroma of spearmint with an enzyme blend to neutralize dental bacteria and curb stinky breath.
10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews: Our 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews use multiple essential nutrients to strengthen your dog’s daily health and give them a well-rounded supplement. One vegan, lamb-flavored dog treat introduces ten critical nutrients to keep your dog healthy, happy, and active.
Hip & Joint Dog Chews: Soothe the symptoms of joint dysplasia with our Hip & Joint Dog Chews! Packed with a blend of joint-friendly ingredients, this dog supplement helps reduce inflammation and support joint health, thanks to compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid.
Probiotic Dog Chews: Made with powerful antioxidants, probiotics, and superfoods, our Probiotic Dog Chews help strengthen your dog’s digestive system, while supporting their gut and bowel health.
Immunity Dog Chews: Allergies are common for most dogs, and our Immunity Dog Chews are here to help! These pumpkin-flavored soft chews use a range of adaptogenic mushrooms, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to enrich your dog’s immune system and build back stronger immunity.
Common Health Concerns for Border Collies
Compared to other breeds, Border Collies are susceptible to unique health conditions like these:
Epilepsy: Like other herding dogs, Border Collies are prone to epilepsy, a neurological disorder that may cause seizures. If your Collie shows signs like convulsions or disorientation, consult your vet immediately.
Elbow & Hip Dysplasia: According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), many medium-sized to extra-large dog breeds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. This issue arises from birth when the bone in a joint is misshapen, causing an awkward fit in your dog’s joints. This defect can often lead to joint pain, osteoarthritis, limping, and trouble standing up.
Vitamin Deficiencies: Vitamin deficiencies can occur in dogs that exercise heavily, as they may need extra nutrients to support their active lifestyle. Deficiencies in B vitamins, vitamin E, and vitamin D can affect energy levels and overall health.
Allergies: Like many other breeds, Collies can have an overactive immune system, leading to a number of common allergies. Plus, with their longer coat, these allergies can lead to skin irritation or infections. Signs that your dog has allergies include frequent skin infections, fur loss, constant licking, itching, scratching, or red, inflamed skin.
Border Collie History
While other breeds may be called “sheepdogs,” Border Collies are superior. In rural, late-1800s Ireland and Scotland, these dogs were used to navigate flocks of sheep and other livestock through the hills, valleys, and difficult terrain that swept over the United Kingdom. These dogs’ fearlessness helped them wrangle in the most stubborn cattle five times their size, while their endless energy assisted in keeping track of every last lamb. Plus, their small size allowed them to easily traverse difficult crags and cliffs, all to map out the way for their herd.
Today, Border Collies are still employed as herding dogs for ranchers across the world. These working dogs are known to run around 50 miles a day during cattle drives. They also still gently steer sheep when out grazing. For families, Border Collies serve as lovable, bubbly household pets, giving parents and kids playtime that never seems to end.
The Border Collie Personality
The Border Collie is smart, able, and adept. They pick up training well (if not fast), and always want to flaunt their massive little brains. These dogs love routine and need consistent daily exercise that not only stimulates their muscles but also their minds. They love getting tasks. When Border Collies are given a job with a clear objective, they are ready to roll. If they aren’t challenged mentally and physically, Border Collies will find a task that suits them, like chewing on shoes, digging up dirt, and barking at the mailman. So, it’s crucial to find a task your Border Collie loves and challenge them daily.
Border Collie Training Guide
This breed has specific tendencies that require early training and routine maintenance to help your Collie be successful at whatever they put their furry mind to. Here are a few extra tips to help keep your pet happy, healthy, and lively, from their puppy years and well into their golden years.
Consistent Grooming
A Border Collie’s hair is a sight to behold; but it can also behold a lot of knots, tangles, and dirt. In the past, Border Collies slept outside with their herd, rain or shine, winter or summer. Their coats have evolved to be heavily insulated, helping them stay warm during winter and keep cool during the summer months. This means they’ll shed their winter coats during spring and bulk up a little bit of fur come October. So, extra grooming routines may be needed. This may involve routine haircuts, weekly baths, and monthly inspections for hot spots, fur thinning, or skin irritation..
Early Socialization
Border Collie puppies require early and often socialization to grow into well-behaved young pups. When your Collie is young, introduce them to older, well-trained dogs, kind strangers, and novel environments. New experiences help your dog understand early the differences between friend and foe. Plus, early socialization will help build your dog’s trust and confidence in themselves, you, and the world around them.
Ample Exercise
We’ve said it before, but we don’t mind saying it again: these dogs are tireless. They come with no off-switch. Border Collies are overflowing with energy, love to play, and need daily, routine exercise to stimulate their mind and muscles. So, exercise and play are vital to maintaining order in your home. Exercise lets your dog run out their crazies, stretch out their body, and fill their mind with new scents and sensations.
Obedience Training
When your dog’s young, invest in training. Help them learn tricks, rules, and standards for how to behave appropriately. Most Border Collies will appreciate the challenge. Others might be a little stubborn at first, but that workhorse instinct will soon find something to love about training (other than the endless treats!).
Tap Into Their Herding Instincts
While you may not have acres of land and livestock galore, you can still help your Border Collie tap into those instincts with daily games and challenges. Many Collie owners train their dogs in a myriad of dog sports, from agility training to frisbee catching and more. Try to find creative ways to help your pup express this trait, and you’ll have a happy, healthy, exhausted dog.
Happy Paws: High-Quality Dog Supplements
Keeping your dog happy, healthy, and active shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. At Happy Paws, we’ve designed our dog treats with the best ingredients and flavors possible (our dogs definitely approve!). We’ve made sure these treats are certified organic, non-GMO, and third-party tested for purity, letting you spoil your dog easily with healthy, tasty dog treats.
FAQ
Is a Border Collie a good house dog?
Yes, these dogs can be great house dogs. They just need the right pet parents and space to thrive. These dogs are incredibly active and curious. They are prone to digging, chewing, and barking if their exercise needs aren’t met. So, they pair best with pet parents who already lead a healthy, active lifestyle. These dogs love to go on runs, hikes, and explorations alongside their people.
Are Border Collies high maintenance?
With their long coats and boundless energy, yes, Collies can be considered high-maintenance. But it’s not easy lookin’ this pretty!
Do Border Collies shed a lot of hair?
Yes, this dog breed sheds year-round. You’re likely to find little tufts of hair left all around your home.
Do Border Collies bark a lot?
Since they’re natural herders, Border Collies tend to bark out orders or commands just ’cause.
How do you give your dog health supplements?
You can give your dog a Happy Paws health supplement in several ways. First, we’ve designed these supplements as dog treats, so you can give them to your pupper as a reward for good behavior. Or, you can add it to your dog’s kibble; they make a pretty tasty topper, too.
