Need for Speed
The Border collie is at its happiest when it is doing something. They have a need to please and are more than willing to do most things.
Although primarily a sheep dog the Border collie is not averse to turning his paw to anything that involves work or pleasure in any capacity. The breed excels at obedience and agility work you only have to watch Crufts to see how well they do.
They thrive on being kept busy and hate to be bored. This is the main reason many Border collies are rehomed due to the fact that so many people simply do not understand their needs. The problem with the breed is that they are so intelligent, so not only do you have a dog with countless amounts of energy but you also have a dog that is very clever.
If you consider obedience work and herding sheep then you will observe some similarities between the two. The heel work in obedience does require the dog to turn his paw to different skills than when herding sheep but they certainly resemble one another.
During obedience the dog is looking to the handler and following their every move and turn. When the Border collie is working the sheep he makes up his own mind regarding which way to ‘drive’ the flock of sheep. The dog must be competent and able to work at a distance from the handler/ shepherd.
Retrieving is another test which the collie does not need to do whilst working the sheep but generally most Border collies adore fetching items thrown. The ‘send away’ is a form of outrun and all the stay exercises done could be construed as part of the dog’s sheep work.
The shepherd may wish the dog to stand still to ‘guard’ the flock of sheep and the dog will need to be able to carry out this command instantaneously or drop to the floor in a flash and watch the sheep from this position.
The Border collie is a very difficult breed of dog to beat when it comes to speed and agility they can turn and change direction in the blink of an eye and they are always thinking ahead and planning their next manoeuvre. They outwit people paws down and always seem to know what you are thinking and planning.
There are many Border collies working in the field of Search and Rescue, they are required to go out with their handlers and look for climbers and walkers that have lost their bearings. The breed, like most dogs, has a heightened sense of smell that helps them to ‘sniff’ people out. With their incredible speed and endurance they are the perfect applicant for the position.
If you are ever considering owning a Border collie you must think long and hard as they are not a regular breed of dog, they require stimulation mentally along with physically. They cannot just be walked quickly in the morning and then left for hours alone without becoming destructive.
Border collies do make wonderful companions as they are so loyal you just have to be aware of the breed of dog and understand what you are taking on!
