The royal Border Collie

For centuries the Border Collie has been bred and selected in England for its working ability. Queen Victoria of England was a particular friend of this breed. Thanks especially to their intelligence, paired with a will to work and friendliness, they enjoy great popularity. In recent years show lines have indeed become established, but due to its strict selection it remains at heart a working dog. Even today the dog is an indispensable helper for the herding staff and the flock of sheep in the English kingdom. Even the make-up of its name says much about it, for Collie means useful object and Border stands for the border.

The Border Collie as a tireless working animal

As early as the 15th and 16th centuries, selective breeding was geared towards the tireless will to work and the enduring urge to move of the Border Collie. Because of the large flocks of sheep and the expansive pastures, such a dog was indispensable for the daily work. Today, unfortunately, there is only occasionally still the opportunity here in Germany to encourage the dog in its original field of use.

• High intelligence combined with a strong will to work
• The need for targeted physical and mental exertion
• Avoiding hyperactivity through clear rest periods
• Promoting inner calm through obedience exercises in everyday life

Dog sport as a balance for the Border Collie

Dog sport therefore represents a good possibility as a substitute, but this can also lead to disadvantages. Dog sport is often encouraged through the play instinct. Since the Border Collie possesses great inner activity, a general hyperactivity sometimes arises, especially when this movement game is also continued away from the training ground. On the one hand this is lovely, since the dog visibly enjoys the games. But it can also quickly become a nuisance for the owner.

Sensible exercises to avoid hyperactivity

One way to counteract this is to guide the dog into a different way of life in a relatively short time. In doing so, dog sport should by no means be given up, as it brings joy to human and animal alike. But as soon as the ground is left, the dog should finish with it. It must learn to behave differently away from training and to find its way back more to its original disposition. There, too, when herding the sheep, work is done over a certain period, and afterwards it is time to stop. Additional games should then no longer be pursued.

Obedience exercises with distraction promote the dog's inner calm, as does cycling with the opportunity for a free run. In this way the dog comes to know the dog ground as a special event, and away from it he must display calmer behaviour. Wherever possible, you can take him along everywhere, including into the town and into the hustle and bustle. This benefits him psychologically, and thereby he receives a further important balance for his wellbeing.