Border Collies are smart, hard working dogs that were bred in Scotland for herding livestock, such as sheep. Originally part of various sheepdogs in Great Britian, the Border Collie separated itself from the Hemp breed. They continued to be called the general sheepdogs until 1915, which they officially became known as Border Collies. Border Collies are often considered the most intelligent domestic dogs and are very energetic and athletic.
Border Collies are often seen in various competitions settings due to their intelligence and athleticism. They perform well in sheep dog trials and other herd events as well as in activities like flyball and disc dog competitions.
Due to their intelligence and need for exercise, these dogs do best in a home that will challenge them both mentally and physically but as long as you are able to provide this stimulant to them, they make excellent companions.
So you may be wondering, how long do Border Collies live. The typical life span for a Border Collie is between 10 and 14 years. The average lifespan is around 12 years. This is relatively similar to other breeds of similar size. The leading cause of death for Border Collies is cancer, with general old age and then cerebral vascular afflictions after that. Border Collies are known to have several minor health problems. This includes seizures, which will usually develop between the ages of 6 moths and 6 years, progressive retinal atrophy, a bilateral degeneration of the retina which eventually leads to vision loss and blindness and Collie eye anomaly, another eye disease leading to blindness. More major and common health issues include canine hip dysplasia, an inherited condition where the hip joint forms improperly. This leads to arthritis in their hips.
Border Collies are an amazing breed that can be a major part of your family for years to come.