Border Collies are some of the most popular dogs around the world. Given how sweet and social these doggies are, it is not so hard to see why they are such a major hit. While their reputation as being fantastic family pets is hard to ignore, their relatively high purchase and maintenance price tag is quite hard to ignore.
The average Border Collie will cost between $600 to $1200 depending on the dog’s age and where exactly it is that you get it from. You could, of course, get a bargain with adoptions but the breed is relatively rare and this may be a little difficult to do. They are also a bit expensive to maintain costing about $1800 to $2970 per year.
While Border Collies are not the cheapest dogs to buy and own, it is safe to say that they are more than worth the investment. Let’s take a look at why this is the case.
Border Collies cost between $600 to $1200 per puppy when purchased from standard breeders.
These beauties could go for as high as $4500 with collies from what are considered champion bloodlines. Compared to most other dogs, this is quite a high price tag. So what is it exactly that makes border collies so expensive? Let’s find out.
Border Collies are considered the most intelligent of all dog breeds. This is quite a huge deal whether you want a dog for competition purposes or just as a companion. They are quite obedient and easy to train which makes them very convenient to live with.
Collies are good dogs to consider if you want a simple but unique aesthetic. Most have a very standard, medium-to-large build with long, beautiful coats. They come in a variety of colors but their black and white coats are the most common. They are ideal for dog owners who want a unique breed without going for outrageous aesthetics.
With their personalities and high levels of intelligence, Border Collies make for fantastic family pets. They get along very well with children and other pets especially with early socialization and exposure to handling.
The fact that they are easy to train also makes Border Collies awesome pets for first-time dog owners.
For the most part, Border Collies are low maintenance dogs that are ideal for busy households. In terms of grooming and health costs, you have very little to worry about.
However, they do need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy.
Border collies have a lifespan of 10 to 17 years.
This is quite long for a dog that big which shows you just how healthy these doggies can be. This is largely due to their very active lifestyles and generally unproblematic genetics.
However, this does not mean that there are no health reasons why you shouldn’t get a Border Collie. Here are a few to consider.
This is an inherited eye disease that affects the development of both eyes in a Border Collie. It results in poor eyesight and may eventually result in complete bilateral blindness for the pooch. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease.
However, early detection could help you better prepare the dog for their future.
Border Collies are infamously more prone to developing seizure disorders than many other dog breeds. The seizures start to manifest at around 6 months of age and can persist throughout the doggy’s life.
The good news is that with medication, the episodes could be reduced both in terms of intensity and frequency.
This is a condition where the elbow joint in the Collie does not form properly. It could lead to a lot of discomfort when moving or putting weight on the limb. This affects the dogs greatly as they are naturally sporty and outdoorsy and need full limb functionality.
This is a very rare condition but one that still affects a good number of Border Collies. The low levels of thyroid hormones affect a number of functions from metabolism for energy production to temperature control.
As we mentioned earlier, Border Collies are pretty low maintenance. They really just need freedom to play and explore to keep them both physically and mentally stimulated. However, there is a lot more to their care if you want them as happy as possible. Here is all you need to know about their care before getting a Border Collies.
Border Collies are very energetic dogs and they need as much nutritional support as possible This includes calorie and protein rich foods for both energy and muscle strength respectively.
We recommend trying Pet Plate for natural and customizable meal plans to suit the collie’s very specific needs.
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You could also feed your collie human food including fruits like mangos and cooked but unseasoned meat.
In addition to the healthy diet, you should also add multivitamins to the mix. Bone and joint supplements are particularly important here to deal with musculoskeletal issues like shoulder dysplasia and arthritis.
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Border Collies love to play more than anything else. In fact they need not less than 2 hours of exercise every day to stay happy and healthy. This includes walks, puzzle games, or agility sports. If they don’t get this you will definitely notice some negative changes in their personality and mood.
Border Collies are generally very alert dogs and do not tend to sleep very deeply. However, they still need a lot of rest to recover from their very active lifestyles. A great way to help your pooch would be to set up a comfortable spot for them to rest. It could be a covered dog crate or a cozy dog bed.
So far, most things you have learned about a Border Collie are quite impressive from their health trends to their athleticism. As if all that wasn’t enough to make you love them, here are a few of their key personality traits that you have to look forward to.
While Border collies are super loyal and comfortable with human company, they much prefer the free outdoors. You could give them the best of both worlds with daily 1- to 2-hour walks which also contribute to their daily exercise requirements.
Border Collies were kept as herding and guarding dogs and developed very sharp senses. They are therefore quite easily rattled by any unusual activity in or around the home. However, they are very easy to calm down as all you have to do is show them you are not worried.
Border collies bark a lot especially when they feel that they or their families are threatened. Obedience training is the best way to get a Border Collie to stop barking especially if they are simply overreacting.
Border Collies may be confident and protective but they are typically not aggressive. In fact, the friendly doggies are quite affectionate both with the owners that they love very much and strangers they don’t perceive as threats.
Border collies are very independent and can not only be left alone but also allowed to go on walks without their leashes. Their intelligence and situational awareness means they are very capable of surviving without help. However, a little attention does not hurt as Border Collies love to be shown love.
In addition to being very intelligent, Border collies are very responsive and obedient. This makes training them very easy and it should not take more than $200 to $600 per week with professional trainers.
You could also do it yourself in which case we recommend Brain Training for Dogs. This program is not only easy to follow but also very effective for at-home dog training.
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Maintenance in terms of grooming for Border Collies is relatively high. This is because the doggies are considered moderate to high shedders. They also tend to shed all year round with specific seasons where they shed a lot more.
However, other than the shedding there is not very much for you to worry about on a regular basis. To help you out, here are a few basic grooming tips for a Border Collie.
Border Collie shedding can be quite problematic. However, brushing to deshed and detangling their long coats makes all the difference. You just have to do it 2 to 4 times every week depending on the amount of shedding you can pick up on.
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In addition to doing it regularly, you need to ensure that you get the right tools for the brushing. With their long, thick coats, you need a strong grooming brush with strong bristles. A grooming brush with a self-cleaning feature will also come in handy getting rid of all the collected fur.
While they do have thick coats, Border Collies do not tend to build up a stink. However, they need a bath occasionally in which case you can’t go wrong with a monthly or 2 monthly interval.
Border Collies are actually prone to dental issues like tartar buildup and gingivitis. You therefore have to take care of their dental health whether it is using chew toys or dental water additives for fresh breath.
Should I Get A Male Or Female Border Collie? Both male and female Border Collies have a lot to offer. The choice of which of the two to get should therefore be based on your personal preferences. Male Border Collies tend to be more emotionally needy and energetic making them high maintenance. The reward is loyalty almost to a fault. Female Border Collies on the other hand are a bit more calm but also very affectionate.
How Much Is A Red Border Collie? Red Border Collies cost about $800 to $1200. This is a bit unexpected as they are rarer than the regular black and white Border Collie. The reason their rarity is not a reason for price markups is the general lack of demand. These doggies are simply not as popular as other Border Collie color options.
How Much Does A Blue Merle Border Collie Cost? Blue Merle Border Collies are the most expensive of the breed and can cost as high as $4500. This is due to their unique and incredibly mesmerizing aesthetic. However, it is not impossible to get them for much less from adoption shelters or some breeders for as low as $600.
Pete Decker is the Lead Editor at The Goody Pet. He is a passionate wildlife educator and loves to share his experiences on pets. During his free time, you can find him cozying around his 2 adorable Labradors (Tobi & Kobi).
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