Breed Information:The body of the Border Collie is slightly longer than it is tall, and has a long tail that should never be carried over the dog’s back. There are two coat varieties that are permissible for the Border Collie. One type, the ‘coarse’ type, has longer, straight hair of about 3 inches long, while the ‘sleek’ type of coat is about 1 inch long. While white should never be the main color of the coat, it is very often seen paired with black, red, and a combination of the three, or tri-colored. Border Collies can also be black and grey, or solid black. The nose should be black, and all colors, except Merles, must have dark eyes. Merles can have one or both blue eyes.Size:Dogs – Height: 19-22 inches/Weight: 30-45 poundsBitches – Height: 18-21 inches/Weight: 27-42 poundsBreed Specific Health Issues:Although generally a resilient dog, some in the breed may experience Hip Dysplasia, and a Collie-specific eye disease called Collie Eye Anomaly. Many Border Collies are also allergic to fleas and great care should be taken to keep these dogs flea-free.Life Expectancy:12-15 years is the average life expectancy for the Border Collie.Grooming Requirements:Border Collies need regular, at least weekly, brushing or combing to keep its coat from getting tangled or matted. This breed does not require regular bathing, though it should be checked often for fleas and ticks, especially if it is a working dog.
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