The Shetland Sheepdog, as his name might imply, is a small herding breed from the Shetland Islands. Fanciers of the breed are drawn not only to their beauty, but also to their fantastic temperaments. Always willing to please and extremely versatile, these little dogs make excellent competitors in the performance rings. They also make exceptionally loyal and devoted family pets, capable of providing lots of love and affection. There is an array of personalities seen in the breed, from introverted to sociable and from calm to animated. Almost all Shelties are loving little shadows who enjoy following their people from room to room.

Most Shelties are playful, gentle, and get along with children – particularly if they have been raised with them. The breed thrives on being around people, whether young or old, although they must live indoors and be part of the family. As they are highly attuned to emotions of their family, they do best in households that aren’t too chaotic or constantly stressful. Owing to their friendly nature, Shetland Sheepdogs also tend to get along well with other dogs (especially other Shelties) and cats.

Shelties are very attentive – a trait which makes them adept at being watchdogs. Somewhat suspicious of strangers, they will definitely bark when someone new comes to the house. This is not a guard dog, however. The breed is reserved and even sensitive. But they will bark… a lot! Many use their voices to announce even small changes in the house. Rearranged furniture can sometimes cause a Sheltie alarm!

Shetland Sheepdogs are very responsive to training and are often seen in the obedience, agility and herding rings. These versatile dogs were born to work and need a regular job in order to be happy and calm. Both males and females alike are equally willing to work (although some owners have noticed the males are more affectionate in general). Not only do they love to work but they are often referred to as highly intelligent. Shelties learn extremely quickly! One caveat – they enjoy chasing moving animals or objects, including cars. All training should include a rock-solid recall, and a fence is still recommended for when they cannot be supervised.

For the most part, Shelties tend to keep themselves clean and usually only require a thorough brushing two or three times a week. The thick double coat is often more profuse in the males but both sexes need regular grooming, especially during shedding season (yes, they do shed). As with all breeds, the nails must be kept trimmed and teeth kept brushed. Many Shetland Sheepdogs learn to love the grooming experience, especially if the owner starts when the dog is young and makes it an enjoyable experience. Shelties come in a myriad of colors, including sable, blue merle, tricolor, bi-black (black and white) and bi-blue (blue merle and white).

As with most herding breeds, the Shetland Sheepdog is high energy and thrives on being given plenty of exercise. This said, they don’t necessarily need to live on a farm – as long as the owner is ready and willing to provide the exercise they need… which might mean a couple of hours a day. It is very difficult to live in an apartment with a Sheltie and not normally recommended. When taken care of with exercise, good food and vet care, this healthy breed will often live 14-16 years.

With their thick coats, Shelties handle cold weather like a breeze. They aren’t big fans of super hot weather but can handle it fine as long as they are kept brushed out. Their coat serves as insulation from both heat and cold, but if the hair is matted up then air can’t reach the skin. It’s very important to never shave a Sheltie as you are effectively taking away their ability to regulate their temperature, as well as making them more prone to sunburn.

Because the Shetland Sheepdog is one of the more popular breeds of dog, it is strongly advised to only buy from a reputable breeder. There are many backyard breeders (unreputable) who are just trying to make a quick buck from their popularity. This means poor temperament and poor health. Instead, look for a breeder who is a member of one of the many Sheltie clubs, who does health testing, and who competes with their dogs in conformation or performance events.

The Pumi is an intelligent herding breed from Hungary. These active little dogs are alert, curious, and always on-the-go. Temperaments vary from dog to dog, with some being super affectionate and others preferring to show their love in a more subtle way. While they will usually bond with everyone in the family, they’ll often pick one person whom they prefer to spend most of their time with. Many are aloof toward strangers until they get to know the person – they prefer to make their own judgements about each individual they meet. It’s important to socialize them while they’re still puppies so their characteristic confidence will be able to emerge.

Pumik (the plural of Pumi) love to learn – which makes them great at obedience training! They also tend to pick up on commands quickly and don’t bore easily. All good things, because this breed definitely needs a regular job. Without this mental/physical outlet, they can be frustrating to live with. Obedience is the basic building block that will allow an owner to then work with the dog in other, more specific tasks such as flyball or herding. This energetic breed will not do well in a home where they aren’t being challenged daily, however they excel in situations where they are worked with regularly! Despite still being on the rarer side of AKC recognized breeds, many Pumik have made a name for themselves by receiving high scores in several dog sports!

The Pumi has a non-shedding curly coat which requires a good combing every 2-3 weeks to pull the dead hair out. They don’t need to be bathed often unless they are being shown (or if they’ve had too much fun in the muddy yard – their terrier background means they love a good digging session). After a bath, no blow drying is required as it will pull the curls out of the coat. Instead, the coat will have to air-dry. The Pumi’s coat is scissored to accentuate the unique shape. The coat is always solid-colored and comes in either black, white, gray, cream or red.

Pumik are an agile breed – often using furniture or the outdoor landscape as their own personal obstacle courses. They love to be in the middle of the action! Very playful, they especially love a good game of frisbee or fetch. Exercise is very important with this breed and they must be given plenty of time daily in which to “wear them out”. Luckily, Pumik do have an “off-switch” when they are done exercising (more so than other herding breeds), but only as long as they are exercised daily. This breed is quite adaptable and is able to live in an apartment or small house… but again, only as long as they receive enough exercise.

The Pumi does have a tendency to bark on a more frequent basis compared to some breeds. He may bark when he feels that someone may be coming onto his property, as he is a territorial breed (making him a great watchdog). He also tends to bark when left alone for long periods of time, so this is not a breed for someone who just wants to throw the dog in the backyard all day. The Pumi must be housed indoors and treated like a member of the family. Despite his terrier-like scrappy personality, he is a sensitive soul that need to feel connected and loved. In return, he will give love and loyalty back 100-fold.

Pumik usually get along great with children, although they may be prone to herding the kids (including nipping at heels or pant legs). Their cheerful nature and constant curiosity make them great play companions for kids who are taught what to do when the dog tries to herd them. They also get along well with cats and other pets, although might try to go after pocket pets such as hamsters. They often live harmoniously with other dogs.

Photo By Taru T Torpström

The Australian Cattle Dog is a rough-and-tumble herding breed that requires an owner possessing good leadership qualities. These dogs need consistent obedience training and enough physical exercise to keep them happy. When raised correctly, they make awesome protectors and companions – their muscular build and natural suspicion means that an owner can feel safe walking a Cattle Dog alone at night. However, if not given firm leadership, the breed’s natural protective instincts can get out of control.

Some ACDs are prone to becoming overly protective of their people, a trait that is often brought about in combination of their high protective instinct and lack of training or boundaries. Others can become possessive of food, objects or their owners – a separate, but sometimes related, behavior problem. These issues are often seen where Cattle Dogs are living in homes that aren’t a good fit for them, and their needs are not being completely met.

Cattle Dogs have a lot of energy and definitely need plenty of outlets for it! Very playful, these dogs love any kind of sport where they can get down and dirty, particularly ones in which their owner joins in. They need athletic and active owners because they require more work than the average dog in terms of exercise – both mental and physical. A daily walk is definitely not enough. These dogs ideally need a lot of room to run, as well as many very physically exerting jobs throughout the day. Not every lifestyle can accommodate this high energy, intelligent breed. While a life of herding cattle would be the most ideal situation, many Cattle Dogs thrive playing Frisbee games, doing agility, going on long hikes and enjoying other canine sports (and lots of it). 

ACDs were bred not only to be tough enough to withstand the harsh environments of the Australian outback, but also to make decisions for themselves when needed while herding cattle. To do so, they had to be stubborn and independent. While they are a domesticated breed, they might seem more “untamed” when put into a housepet role, particularly if they aren’t given training and the aforementioned exercise/job combination. If they become bored, they will find ways to occupy their time that will probably be less-than-ideal! Obedience training should therefore be started early and kept up for life. These dogs love to work and are very trainable as long as they are given the proper motivation. Because they learn quickly they do well when given regular new challenges. Remember that although training should be fun and positive, it should also be firm.

The Australian Cattle Dog doesn’t always make the best match for young children. This breed tends to be inpatient and will not put up with any harsh treatment such as tail-pulling or slapping. While this behavior is never fair for any dog, some breeds will put up with it while others will not. A Cattle Dog is more likely to nip in retaliation. Because of their herding instincts, they may also be inclined to nip at or herd children. They do much better in homes with older kids or no kids at all. As far as other pets: some Cattle Dogs get along ok with cats while others will constantly be trying to chase them. When it comes to other dogs, many can be dominant or outright aggressive.

Cattle Dogs are healthy and long-lived (14-16 is average), but take a while to fully mature. An owner should plan on socializing them well throughout the first two years of their lives in order to promote a stable temperament. While many would be happy just to spend their whole life with their owner (usually following the owner around like a shadow everywhere), it is in their best interest to meet as many other people and animals as possible throughout their life. Plenty of positive interactions with strange people, places and things will help them from becoming timid or aggressive. On the flip-side, they should also be trained to spend time by themselves. The breed is prone to separation anxiety and while they shouldn’t be owned by work-all-day humans, they should be taught that it’s ok to spend a few hours by themselves.

The Bouvier des Flandres is a rugged Belgian herding and farm dog. Although he requires a lot of exercise and outdoor space to thrive, he does not do well as an outdoor-only dog (this is a velcro breed that wants to follow you wherever you go). He is extremely loyal and loving of his owners and his alert and fearless nature ensures he will protect his owners when he feels it is necessary. Despite his courageous nature (and sometimes outwardly intimidating appearance), this is actually a gentle dog with a calm, even temperament.

Bouviers are incredibly intelligent and often tasked with some of the harder jobs in canine-dom. Not only do they make excellent companions but they also excel in police work, as guide dogs for the blind and as hearing dogs for the deaf! Some work as drug detection dogs while other work to herd sheep on farms. If started young, the breed is eager to please and have great attention spans. While a trained Bouv is a dream to live and work with, and untrained one can be a disaster. The breed tends toward being assertive and unruly if not given structure, rules and boundaries. This, combined with his brute strength and size means that he can quickly rule the household. Obedience training is an absolute must with this breed!

The look of the Bouv is very distinct and unique, and many people are interested in purchasing one simply based on looks. A prospective owner should be warned, however, that a lot of work goes into getting the dog to look that way! The “natural look” of the Bouv is a shaggy dog that more often has leaves and other outdoor remnants hanging from the coat (a nightmare for fastidious housekeepers). The beard is often wet and/or messy with food or mud. In fact, the Dutch nickname for this breed is “dirty beard”! One must be prepared not only to groom the dog regularly, but also to be ok with the dog looking less than perfect on a rainy day. Also, although the breed technically sheds very little, all that coat has to come out somehow and it does so when you brush the dog – sometimes resulting in mountains of hair! Brushing should be done 2-3 times a week, and will take roughly 20 minutes each session.

The Bouvier can have a very strong prey drive and not all of them are able to live with cats. Some are ok if they are raised with them but this is the exception rather than the rule. This means that they are not usually well-suited to living in cat homes. They are also not suited to living with people on a limited budget – these dogs eat a lot, have more expensive vet bills than smaller breeds, and cost a lot to be professionally groomed (if the owner isn’t willing to do it).

While the Bouvier des Flandres loves his owners more than anything else in the world, he does not show it outwardly – at least not enthusiastically. This is not the type of dog that will jump into your lap and lick your face for hours at a time. Instead, most prefer just to be in the same room with you, quietly loving you. While they can be playful (particularly as puppies), they are more likely to be serene and calm. They are usually quite empathetic as well, and pick up on your emotions. If you are angry, sad or overjoyed, they might just mimic your sentiments.

The Bouv needs regular exercise! A yard will usually not cut it as most Bouvs are somewhat lazy about exercising themselves. It is up to the owner to make sure he gets out and fulfills this vital need. One mile a day, twice a day, is usually sufficient – so an owner must be able to provide this on a regular basis. This is not to say that a yard serves no purpose, as most Bouvs will meander and explore the yards – thus also fulfilling them mentally, but it is not enough. Note about yards: a fence is strongly recommended because even though the breed is less likely to wander than some other breeds, they will chase other animals, bikes or cars right off the property!

The Bouvier des Flandres, like all dog breeds, needs socialization. This said, the Bouv needs more than most other breeds. Whether rain or shine, the puppy must encounter as many people, animals and places as possible within the first few months of his life. Without this critical component, the dog could end up being unnaturally shy or even outright aggressive. This is so important that novice owners are told to steer clear of this breed in favor of an easier-to-raise dog!

Photo CC BY-SA 3.0

The Old English Sheepdog is so much more than a big fluffy marshmallow of a dog. These clownish animals have a definite sense of humor and delight in making humans laugh! They are also surprisingly gentle and easy-going, especially for their size. Even-tempered and loving to their owners while outgoing and happy with strangers, they are loyal to their family and friends, almost to a fault.

While the OES does not make a good guard dog, he will bark at strangers that come near the home. This watchdog ability combined with the dog’s large sizes is usually enough of a deterrent for intruders. Some can be protective in the most dire of situations but they shouldn’t otherwise be expected to take out a robber while the owners are away. The breed is a lover and not a fighter. Many are quite intuitive and sensitive to the energy of humans, however, and are often able to tell friend from foe.

While Old English Sheepdogs are intelligent, sometimes they can have a mind of their own when it comes to training. One day they might earn a high score in obedience while the next they may decide to play a prank on you while in the ring! Take advantage of the fact that they enjoy being the center of attention and try to use that in obedience lessons, encouraging them to have fun. Even though it may mean that some lessons will take a “silly detour”, it will be worth it as long as you gradually steer them back into what they need to be doing. Remember that many OES have a stubborn side as well – so be prepared to work them through it. Obedience is a necessity for this breed, who often become bratty without training and rules.

An Old English can be at home in any type of home – be it apartment, condo or large house. They love the city and the country equally, as long as they are able to spend lots of time with their owners! Like other “velcro” breeds, when you are home you will find yourself with a constant canine shadow! This is definitely not a breed which can be kept in a kennel or outside for the majority of their life, nor do they adapt well to owners who work all day and leave them by themselves. Although this can be said for many breeds, it is especially true for this one. Do not get an OES if you cannot give them tons of attention!

Lots of time must also be devoted to grooming for this breed requires at least 2-3 hours a WEEK for coat care. The glorious coat which is the hallmark of the Old English Sheepdog, also makes him high maintenance. The coat does not just brush or wash itself! Furthermore, although it should go without saying, an owner must be prepared for dog hair to be everywhere in the house, as well as be ok with the dog dragging brambles and mud into the house when he comes in from outside. This is not a breed for fastidious people. Even after drinking water, the beard will get sopping wet and the dog may drip it everywhere across the floor. Be forewarned.

The OES is fantastic around children although younger individuals may be a bit rowdy around small toddler-age kids. Many stay rambunctious until the age of 3, and can easily knock down a small child without meaning to. The breed is very affectionate and playful, always ready to engage in a game with the smaller members of the family (which may include trying to herd them). Since they love being around people, they don’t tend to wander away which makes them great babysitters, although supervision is obviously recommended (no one should seriously use their dog as a babysitter).

Despite their rugged appearance, the Old English is actually active and athletic. Originally bred as a herding and droving dog (they moved flocks of sheep across long stretches of land), they have a fair bit of energy that needs to be channeled through daily exercise. Unlike many other herding breeds, they do not have endless energy and are fairly adaptable to many different exercise routines, but this is still an important need. Younger OES have more energy and will need more exercise than mature adults. It is not uncommon for puppies and adolescents to make your house a giant playground without enough training and/or exercise outings!

Photo by Harald Urnes, Norway

The Briard is an ancient French breed who both guarded as well as herded flocks. He was also used as a war dog, carrying supplies to the front lines and searching for wounded soldiers. The breed is loyal and courageous – a true working companion. He also makes an exceptional family dog as he loves children and is incredibly stable-tempered. Briards are protective and faithful and are one of dogdom’s best kept secrets. They have been referred to as “a heart wrapped in fur”.

Having been bred to protect, the Briard is normally aloof with those he doesn’t know. He should never be outright shy or timid, however. Fearful Briards are often the result of too little socialization, so it is vital that he is taken out and socialized while he is still young. This early exposure to the world (introducing him to lots of people, places and things) will help him to develop his calm and stoic demeanor. It is actually recommended that the socialization start early and go until he is at least a year old. This will not interfere with his guarding abilities and will, in fact, make him more stable-tempered if he is ever in the position to guard his owner. “Attack training” is not necessary as he will naturally defend his owner if they are peril (usually as a last resort).

Briards tend to have very individual temperaments. Some are stoic while others are silly, some are social while others tend to enjoy a quiet place out-of-the-way of people. All Briards, however, should be house dogs rather than kennel dogs. Very rare is the dog who doesn’t want to keep an eye on his owner, following the person from room to room. Because they are so devoted to “their people”, none of them should be relegated to a sad life outside with little human contact. To do so would erode away at the dog’s unique personality and turn him into a lonely mess who might then dig up the yard, chew up the siding and/or turn into a nonstop barker. Because of their high affection for people and their sensitive nature, the breed is prone to separation anxiety when the owner leaves.

The Briard has been compared to a cat in the sense that he doesn’t tend to see people as masters, but rather as equals. This can make him particularly stubborn when he wants to be! It also means that he can take charge in households where there are no clear boundaries, so obedience training is a must. He should never be trained with harsh methods as he will shut down. When trained with fair methods, however, he can molded into a very obedient dog. Briards are intelligent and have great memories (for good things as well as bad). They learn quickly when you show them that learning commands is a fun way of interacting with you!

Briards are quiet in the house (although will bark to alert of strangers), and are capable of living in either a city or country setting. They are active, but not in a way that leaves the house in a mess as they rush about. Instead, this large breed is agile and aware of his surroundings (once mature, that is – puppies may be more rambunctious). He isn’t perpetually in motion like other herding breeds, although he does need to be exercised regularly. These herding dogs often worked in unfenced land which made them not apt to wander, but a fence is useful to keep the dog safe from other animals or ill-meaning people. Along with exercise, this breed also needs a job to do that will work out his mind along with his body!

The Briard’s long double coat is one of his crowing glories. It is low-shedding and the coarse texture means that it naturally repels dirt and water. This said, it must be groomed on a regular basis or else it could quickly turn into a nightmarish mess! On average, the coat will require about two hours of work a week if it is kept up with on schedule. It is worth remembering that a Briard has long hair on their face as well, which means that after they get a drink of water you might get a face full of wet hair as they lay their head on your lap!

Most Briards get along very well with other dogs, and many get along fine with cats as well (although some will try to chase cats). They particularly love to play, so animals which are a similar size usually make better playmates. This said, many are quite capable of playing with even the smallest of dogs! Strange dogs encroaching on their territory may not be met with happy greetings, however. There is a definite territorial streak in the breed. Some Briards also show aggression towards members of the same sex. As far as housemates, be aware that Briards may try to herd other animals (as well as humans), as this is a natural instinct for them. They do this using their large head to push them, their body to guide them, and their teeth to hurry them up!

Photo By Petr Dadák

The Bearded Collie, a longhaired sheepdog developed in Scotland, is known for his gentle demeanor and confident (almost noble) temperament. He is independent and bred to make decisions on his own – the human shepherd could be miles away yet he was still responsible for his flock. This said, he can be clownish and silly when he wants to be, and enjoys making his owner laugh! Beardies have a curiosity about life and may be persistent and even stubborn when trying to satiate their curiosity. This said, when it comes down to it, these loving creatures bond closely to their humans and grow to be very loyal.

The Bearded Collie is an outgoing fellow to strangers while retaining an affectionate nature toward his family. In fact, this breed must live indoors with the family and doesn’t do well being left at home with barely any interaction. Most destructive Beardies became this way because of a lack of human contact (the owner works all day). He gets along well with other dogs and pets as well (including cats), especially if he has been raised around other animals. Some have been known to be possessive over toys, and so precautions should be taken from the start to rid him of this bad habit. Most get along well with children, although he should be trained from an early age not to herd the kids!

As with all breeds, Beardies are not for everyone. Some can test their independence quite stubbornly when they reach adolescence, they can be very strong for their size, and individuals of all ages love to jump. The “Beardie Bounce” is a coin termed just for the breed because of their love of leaping! They also require a good bit of grooming upkeep – their long hair must be kept brushed out to avoid huge tangles, they are prone to tracking dirt all over their house (again, because of their long hair), and they always sport a wet, dripping beard after getting a drink of water. Some members of the breed are fond of digging, as well as barking.

Beardies are generally active dogs, although there is a range in activity level with some being more low-key while others are very rambunctious. A responsible breeder can help pick out the right pup for each family, although a would-be owner should expect the dog to be fairly active and plan accordingly. After all, Bearded Collies were bred to work outside for long hours every day. The breed needs ongoing training and mental/physical outlets for their energy, even when the weather is less-than-accomodating. A hyper dog usually means that he has not been given enough exercise, as Beardies shouldn’t be hyper normally but rather it comes about because of a lack of stimulation.

While very smart, the Bearded Collie might decide that His way of training is better than Your way of training, and act accordingly! It is therefore recommended that you convince the dog that the idea was his the whole time, and make it a fun experience. Adding games into training usually works well for this breed, as Beardies are very playful and always up for a game. Once you’ve got his attention, you’ll have a very responsive and energetic working dog! The breed is also very sensitive to human moods, so it is best not to train a Bearded Collie if you’ve been having a bad day. Furthermore, never play into his temper tantrums, as many a Beardie has conned his owner into thinking that he is un-trainable, simply because he throws a fit.

Beardies are medium-sized dogs that come in a rainbow of colors. When born, they are either black, blue, fawn or brown but the colors tend to change and lighten as they get older. This means that blacks can stay black or become slate or silver, while a brown can be a light sandy color or become a deep chocolate. Blues and fawns may be dark or light. Most Bearded Collies also sport a white trim which complements the main color, and they may also have tan points. They may continue to change shade until they reach 4 years of age. This gives the breed a great variance of possible appearances! All Beardies, regardless of color, do shed. Most of the time this shedding is minimal although once a year they will shed a great deal more.

The Bearded Collie is fairly healthy with only occasionally incidences of hip dysplasia and autoimmune disorders popping up here and there. Problems may arise if they aren’t taken care of properly, such as leaving them with wet, tangled hair for long periods of time. Sound sensitivity, while not a health problem, is a common psychological occurrence with the breed. When well taken care of, however, it is common for them to live to around 14 years of age.

The Border Collie has been referred to as one of the brightest of dog breeds – easily trained and incredibly intelligent. However, without a job this athletic herding breed can quickly turn into a nightmare to live with. While many breeds need a job in order to keep them mentally fit… this goes double for the Border Collie! Not a breed for the novice owner, even well-seasoned dog people might not be a good match for these clever athletes. The exercise and time they require goes well above what many people may expect. However, although they require more work than the average dog, many owners insist that they return that investment many times over.

Border Collies were originally bred to be sheep herding dogs which means that most have very high herding instincts. They will chase the cat, herd the kids, and occasionally nip a person or animal in the butt to get them to move in a desired direction. Some are car-chasers – a very dangerous habit. As such, they do need consistent training so they know what they are, and are not, allowed to get away with. They are not always recommended for kids – particularly young kids or those that race around the house a lot, as they tend to be reactive to movement and their herding instincts will often override. The more supervision and discipline the parents are able to give, the better the outcome of the dog living harmoniously with the kids.

Requiring more exercise than many other breeds, Border Collies must be given enough physical stimulation every day to tire them out. A short walk around the block will not cut it, and neither will a single game of fetch. The breed is only recommended for those who are already active and therefore will be able to provide the jogging, hiking and other physical exercise requirements needed. This is NOT including the mental exercise the dog will need as well (obedience and a job such as herding or agility). As the breed is extremely versatile, they don’t necessarily need to herd sheep in order to have a job, and most Border Collies will take any assigned job very seriously, even if it’s a game of frisbee. Oftentimes a good way to tell if the dog considers the activity a job is whether or not he goes into his “natural working position” (head down, stalking pose).

Luckily, Border Collies are one of the easiest dogs to train. Eager to please, extremely intense and with an almost-endless drive, training this breed is both exciting and rewarding! Furthermore, their athleticism makes them great competitors in dog sports requiring speed. This is a big reason why there are so many people competing with Border Collies in all manner of events – and often winning! The downside to their intensity and drive is that if they are not worked enough, they can become very destructive and even neurotic. Digging holes, chasing other pets, and OCD behaviors are common issues with dogs who haven’t been given enough to do. Every year, loads of Border Collies are relinquished to shelters or rescue groups, or even put down because their owner didn’t realize the commitment they were signing up for when they bought one. This is why obedience and exercise cannot be stressed enough.

Those seeking a Border Collie for herding work should direct their gaze to breeders who focus on breeding working dogs. While many dogs from show stock will have a herding instinct, a buyer will have more luck finding a high-drive dog if the breeder uses dogs that regularly compete in herding trials. Note that while many show-stock dogs have a similar appearance, working Border Collies often are quite varied in how they might look. The breed is allowed to be any color, and both smooth and rough coated – although many show dogs are rough coated, black and white dogs. Working dogs often have a bigger variation in their appearance. Eye color can also vary considerably, as well as the set of the dog’s ears (prick, semi-prick or dropped).

Border Collies, particularly rough-coated dogs, do indeed shed. Beyond brushing and the occasional bath, they also require regular nail trimming and teeth cleaning. Like any dog, regular veterinary care is important as well as a healthy diet. When taken care of, the breed is fairly hardy although they do have some genetic susceptibility to eye problems, hip dysplasia and deafness. Make sure that the breeder health-tests the parents!

Many Border Collies are known for having a high startle reflex, and can react suddenly if they are surprised by a loud noise. They may react by nipping at the dog or person sitting next to them, or they may try to flee the room or the house. Some develop problems with obsessive barking. In order to minimize these risks, it is important to socialize them from a young age so that they grow comfortable with unexpected events happening. Well-bred and well-raised Border Collies shouldn’t be shy or anxious, but the work must be put into them early in order for them to be the stable companions they have the potential to be.