Border Collie Puppies for Sale in Tampa Bay

Border Collies are a favorite among dog owners, though they are not a good choice for first time pet owners. Described as a workaholic, this is one of the most energetic dog breeds you could find. They can be a lot of work and require a good amount of exercise and attention throughout the day. They love to cuddle once the workday is finished but, during the day, they are constantly on the go.

Border Collies come in 21 different colors and patterns according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Some of these colors include black, gold, white, lilac, blue, and red. One of the most striking physical features of a Border Collie is their eyes. They have what is described as a herding gaze, which can be quite intense and piercing. 

Border Collies are a medium dog breed and reach a height between 18 and 22 inches. They should weigh between 30 and 55 pounds. Border Collies have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

The Border Collie traces its roots back to landrace collies of the British Isles. Collie breeds originated in the late 19th century. This breed of collie, specifically, comes from the area along the Anglo-Scottish border, thus giving it the name Border Collie.

This breed likely started with a dog known as Old Hemp. This dog lived from 1893 to 1901 in Northumberland, England. Dogs of his type were used by shepherds for tending their sheep. Old Hemp went on to define the Border Collie working style. He was used numerous times for breeding purposes, and now all pure Border Collies can trace their ancestry back to him.

Border Collies were recognized in the Miscellaneous class by the AKC in 1955. The breed obtained full recognition in 1995.

Border Collies have very strong personalities. They are energetic and incredibly intelligent. In 1994, psychologist Stanley Coren published his book, The Intelligence of Dogs, which outlined different types of dog intelligence and ranked 130 breeds in order of total intelligence. Border Collies are rated as the number one most intelligent breed. They are able to understand new commands with 5 or less repetitions. They are also able to obey a first command at least 95% of the time. This makes them one of the easiest dog breeds to train.

Being a herding breed, Border Collies are protective and loyal of their families. They are still used to herd livestock and will exhibit these herding behaviors against their owners as well. This is not done in an aggression fashion, but you will notice that they try to herd family members into one area.

Border Collies are very affectionate toward humans. This includes their owners and strangers. That being said, they are intelligent and tasked with protection, so they are able to differentiate between good stranger and bad strangers. Border Collies are not as affectionate with other dogs, but they are not known to be aggressive. If anything, Border Collies will try to herd your other pets as well.

Border Collies get along best with adult humans. However, they are adaptable to living with other pets and children. They are not the most affectionate or playful breed with children, but they are certainly not a breed to be feared around them either. Border Collies do well in pretty much all family environments. Again, they are natural protectors and are loyal to their families, whatever definition of family that may mean.

On that note, Border Collies should absolutely never be left alone. Their social needs are far too high and being left alone could induce extreme separation anxiety and destructive behaviors, such as destroying furniture or excessive chewing or licking of their paws. At minimum, there should always be another dog with them if a human family member is not able to be around 24/7.

Border Collies need a lot of space to roam around. Their breed is designed for use on farms and ranches, so do not expect them to adapt well to small indoor living. They love to be outside and will relish the opportunity to get involved with nature. Apartments are not a good idea for this breed. If you do live in an apartment and have a Border Collie, you should either have a large yard available to them or be prepared to take them on many walks throughout the day.

Border Collies are wonderful at adapting to a variety of weather conditions. Because they are a breed destined for the outdoors, not too much affect them in the way of temperature. They adapt well to both cold and hot weather and will enjoy spending time outside regardless of what time of year it is.

Border Collies are extremely sensitive to their environments, though. They do not take kindly to negativity, unlike some other dog breeds who may simply brush it off. This also includes a sensitivity to noise and chaos. Take notice of how your Border Collie reacts to other pets and your children and provide some separation if you notice them becoming overwhelmed. It is also important to note that Border Collies thrive on routine.

Border Collies are one of the lower maintenance breeds when it comes to grooming. They have a wavy double coat, but they do not shed excessively. Border Collie coats can be either smooth or rough, though the difference does not significantly affect how you would groom them.

You should brush them using specific tools at least once every other week. During shedding seasons (spring and fall), you should brush them at least two or three times a week. First, use a regular brush to get loose hairs off the top layer. Then, you can use an undercoat rake to work through the bottom layer of their coat. This ensures that you get all of the loose hair and prevent matting at all levels.

Bathing should be done somewhat regularly as well, more often if you find that your Border Collie tends to get dirty quickly from all the time spent outside. In general, you will need to bathe your Border Collie once every three months.

To bathe your Border Collie, start by brushing out their coat using the wire brush and undercoat rake. Once you have brushed them, you can use lukewarm water to bathe them. Always use specially formulated dog shampoos. Human products can be extremely damaging to dog skin. In addition, there are many dog shampoos specifically made for double coated dogs, so be on the lookout for those.

It is a good idea to brush them again once their bath is over, since bathing will loosen up a lot of their coat. You can also get rid of these loose hairs by using a blow dryer to blow out the coat. Keep this on a low heat so as to not irritate the skin.

Another key component of Border Collie grooming is nail clipping. Because they spent so much time outside, their nails will file down naturally. However, you should still plan to clip them at least once a month. If they are touching the ground, it is time for a trim. Make sure to avoid the quick, which is the vein inside of the nail.

Luckily, Border Collies do not require any professional grooming. Even show standard Border Collies can be maintained with at-home grooming. However, you can always contact a professional groomer or veterinarian if you have specific questions or concerns.

Teeth and ears are less of a concern for Border Collies than some other dog breeds, but you should still pay attention to them. For teeth, you can use special dog toothpaste, and instructions will be available on the packaging. There are also treats designed for dental health. For ears, use a cotton ball of soft cloth to remove any wax or debris from the outer edges of the ear. Take care to not push any of this into the ear canal, and do not reach into the ear canal as this may cause hearing loss, pain, and other types of damage.

Border Collies are one of the most active and athletic dog breeds out there. They have a lot of energy and a muscular build. With that being said, they require a significantly higher amount of daily exercise than many other dog breeds. Speaking about physical exercise, specifically, Border Collies require a minimum of two hours per day of exercise. However, they will flourish if they are able to get more.

Border Collies love to be outside. Give them plenty of playtime in the backyard. You can also take them for walks around the neighborhood, hikes on trails, and trips to the local dog park. They love to engage in physical activities with their owners.

Though loyal to their families, Border Collies do have somewhat of a potential to wander. So, if you do allow them to spent time by themselves outside, you should have them do so in a large, confined area. Border Collies have a moderate prey drive, so it would not be unheard of for them to chase after a rabbit or other small animal. Additionally, with how friendly they are to strangers, it is good to keep a border between them and your neighbors. They are less likely to dart in front of traffic, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

In addition to physical exercise, Border Collies need a lot of mental stimulation as well. Not only are they easy to train, but they also enjoy learning new tricks. This is a great way to keep both yourself and your dog entertained. They love to have a job to do always, and this will fulfill that need. Puzzle feeders and similar types of toys are also a wonderful idea for Border Collies.

Border Collies have a high caloric intake requirement compared to other breeds. This does vary by activity level, though. Inactive Border Collies need between 989 and 1,272 calories each day according to the National Research Council of National Academies. For more active Border Collies, a daily caloric intake between 1,353 and 1,740 calories is recommended.

Protein is arguably one of the most important components in a Border Collie diet. Like with caloric intake, the percentage of protein in a diet varies by activity level. In general, a protein percentage between 18% and 20% is appropriate. If your dog is highly active, pregnant, or sick, then an increase up to 24% may be necessary.

Regardless of the percentage of protein your Border Collie needs in their diet, the first ingredient listed on their food should always be some sort of meat. Avoid foods that list grains as a primary ingredient, as this is often a filler ingredient that provides little to no nutritional value to the Border Collie.

Some Border Collie owners choose to provide a raw food diet to their Border Collie. Despite what the name implies, you always want to cook the meat to avoid bacteria. Consult with a veterinarian before starting a raw food diet. Raw food diets for Border Collies typically include about 80% meat and 20% other ingredients, such as vegetables and carbohydrates.

Adult Border Collies should get between one and a half and two cups of food per day, split into two meals. Puppies require smaller, more frequent meals throughout their day. Treats are generally okay, especially for training purposes, as long as you keep your Border Collie active. They are not necessarily prone to obesity but keep an eye on their weight and cut back on treats if necessary.

Water is also essential in a Border Collie diet since they are so active. Both indoors and outdoors, they should always have access to fresh, clean water. Change out their water at least once a day, or more often if you find that they get it dirty throughout the day.