The Blue Merle Border Collie is an attractive, intelligent, and demonstrative dog. Amusingly, a Blue Merle Border Collie does not be suitable as a breed. It is only a Border collie with a blue merle coat pattern. On the other hand, it is one of the keenest and most agile pets you will come crossways. Border Collies are medium-sized dogs with strong and nimble legs. Collies will whichever have short or medium-length fur with changing colors and patterns. The Blue Merle Border Collie, in specific, has a habit of to have blue eyes.
- Height: 18–22 inches
- Weight: 30–45 pounds
- Lifespan: 12–15 years
- Colors: White, blue
- Suitable for: Active families with a large farm
- Temperament: Intelligent, Affectionate, Easy to train
Blue Merle Border collie Characteristics:
Energy:
High-energy dogs will essential a proportion of mental and physical inspiration to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs have need of minimal physical activity. It’s important when selecting a dog to make sure their energy levels match lifestyle.
Trainability:
Easy-to-train dogs are supplementary skilled at learning heads-up and activities rapidly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will have need of a bit supplementary patience and practice.
Health:
A number of breeds, due to their size or their breed’s potential genetic health problems, have smaller lifecycles than others. Appropriate exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also production an significant role in the lifespan of pet.
Lifespan:
Particular dog breeds are susceptible to to convinced genetic health problems, and particular supplementary than others. This doesn’t mean that every single dog will have these problems, but they have a greater than before danger, so it’s important to comprehend and get ready for any additional requirements they possibly will necessitate.
Sociability:
Particular dog breeds are supplementary social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a propensity to run up to unfamiliar person for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy absent and are more cautious, even potentially violent. No matter the breed, it’s significant to socialize dog and expose them to lots of diverse circumstances.
The Earliest Records of the Blue Merle Border collie in History:
Wherever the Border Collie relatives originated from isn’t precisely known. They most likely derived from Roman working dogs and Spitz-type dogs brought by Norse Vikings, but that is unconfirmed. What we do know for sure is that the breed was developed in the 1700s in the border regions of Scotland and England, more specifically in Northumbria. The Border collie was created to be a working dog. Lowlands like Northumbria typically make great land for shepherds, and where there are shepherds, there obligation also be sheepdogs. The Border collie was bred to be a fast and slender herder and has preserved those traits to the current day.
How the Blue Merle Border collie Gained Popularity:
The Border collie was breed to be a high-energy working dog, and more than a few still herd sheep, but numerous Border Collies live simply as companions now. This journey began in 1873 when the first Border collie sheepdog trial was apprehended. This led to additional sheepdog trials being held and in 1906; the International Sheepdog Association was recognized. Since then, Border Collies have dominated sheepdog competitions worldwide.
Formal Recognition of the Blue Merle Border Collie:
The Border Collie was eventually exported to the United States, where it was used on numerous U.S. ranches. The dog became very popular in the U.S., and the North American Sheepdog Society was set up in 1940. Soon after, the Border Collie Society of America was formed to preserve the breed herding instincts.
Despite having existed since the 1700s, the American Kennel Club documented the breed as part of the miscellaneous class in 1955. The AKC didn’t properly make out the breed until 1995, 40 years after it was first recognized and almost 300 years after its first appearance.
Top 4 Unique Facts about the Blue Merle Border Collie
1. Their Name Comes from Old Gaelic:
The Border Collie’s name come from from the Old Gaelic language. In Old Gaelic, if something was “Collie,” it was useful.
2. They’ve been owned by Royalty:
Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom owned numerous dogs, but in the 1860s, she developed particularly enthused with Border Collies and owned more than a few.
3. Border Collies Have Set Many World Records:
Not only do Border Collies hold many world archives, but they also embrace selected amazingly strange records. A Border Collie named Striker, from Quebec City, set the world record for a dog rolling down a manual car window. A Border Collie named Jumpy grasps the world record for Canine Skating; he accomplished to skate 100 meters in 19.65 seconds.
In conclusion, a Border Collie mix named Sweet Pea holds a record for balancing a glass of water on her head. She walked 10 steps down without dropping it! While it isn’t a world record, a Border Collie named Chaser is widely recognized as the most intelligent dog in the world. Chaser knows the name of over 1,000 objects.
4. A Border Collie Features in a Poem Written by Robert Burns:
Robert Burns was a extensively renowned Scottish Poet and Lyricist whose poem “To a Mouse” inspired the 1937 novella “Of Mice and Men.” What maybe will be less well-known about him is that he owned a Border Collie named Luath. The death of Luath inspired Burns’ poem “The Twa Dogs.” Many statues that depict Burns also depict his loyal Collie right by his side.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Blue Merle Border Collie:
The Blue Merle Border Collie is very intellectual. That means it can learn things quickly, but it also makes it hard to keep it challenged. The breed thrives on activity, and its energy levels are off the charts. It is hardworking and prefers to stay busy rather than just lying around. If you are the type that sits at home all day, this is not the canine for you.
Border Collies are also very alert and sensitive and will pick up your cues quite fast. For instance, they will detect the slightest whistle, a raised eyebrow, or a hand signal and respond promptly.
However, a Border Collie is strong-minded and independent. As a result, it can point in the wrong course its energy when there is no job to do. If you don’t hang onto the dog busy, they will be happy to chase after other pets, cars, and children. They can also be terrible and shy if not appropriately socialized from a young age.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
Border Collies are inordinate family dogs but are best suitable for active families. Subsequently they enjoy a portion of running and exploring, they will thrive better on a farm with sufficiently of space to roam everywhere. At least one member of the family should also be ready to keep up with the dog’s level of energy. Otherwise, it will get bored quickly and become mischievous.
Things to Know When Owning a Blue Merle Border Collie:
Food & Diet Requirements:
Any high-quality dog food will do the pretend. But how much Blue Merle Border Collie eats will be contingent on a diversity of influences, including age, size, metabolic rate, and level of activity. Meanwhile the dog is highly active, you must make available it with food that comprises all the nutrients it requirements for growth and energy. An active adult dog determination usually eats roughly 2 cups per day, but this will vary contingent on pup’s lifestyle.
If you have to give them treats, make sure you do it in restraint to circumvent unnecessary weight gain and the health complications related with it.
Exercise:
Border Collies were breed to work for long hours gather together and defensive livestock, they have high energy levels. Consequently, a daily walk everywhere the neighborhood won’t cut it. You will requirement to do a bit more to meet the dog’s corporeal essentials.
A Blue Merle Border Collie wills necessity at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every single day. But it would be better to hang onto them busy throughout the day. But if you don’t live on a farm, you need to take the dog out often for walking, running, or hiking. Agility classes and dog competitions are also great chances to hang onto dog active.
Training:
Apart from physical exercises, Blue Merle Border Collie will have need of mental exercises to hang onto them stimulated. Teaching them new tricks will also possess them sharp and permit you to bond. They are extremely intelligent and aim to give pleasure to, so they will drift down naturally to training.
Grooming:
Whether it has a smooth or rough coat, a Blue Merle Border Collie does not have need of excessive grooming. Gently brushing their coat once or twice a week is satisfactory. It will assistance deal out the oils well and escape matting. On the other hand, the dog’s grooming requirements will increase when it is shedding its fur.
Regular baths are not essential, and you had better only give them when the dog is dirty or smelly. Conversely, think of to brush its teeth at least thrice a week to avert gum disease and remove bad breath. Also, make sure to trim their nails and clean their ears.
Health and Conditions:
A Border Collie is in general healthy, but it is also at risk to certain health circumstances. Therefore, before buying a puppy from a breeder, safeguard they have been open out and empty of any potential health situations.
The animals are at hazard of some thoughtful circumstances such as canine hip dysplasia and cerebellar lipofuscinosis. You essential also watch out for other state of affairs such as collie eye anomaly, lens luxation, and hypothyroidism.
Minor Conditions:
Hypothyroidism
Serious Conditions:
Hip dysplasia
Cerebellar lipofuscinosis
Collie eye anomaly
Lens luxation
Male vs. Female:
Male Border Collies are larger and supplementary muscular than their female counterparts. And they can cultivate 19-22 inches tall and weigh amongst 35 and 45 pounds. Females stand 18-21 inches tall and can weigh amongst 30 and 40 pounds.
Males have a habit of to be supplementary affectionate than female Border Collies and will practice apparent attention-seeking tactics. They will be aggressive when they neediness consideration and are regularly lovable. On the other hand, females have a habit of to be extra held in reserve and a lesser amount of demonstrative. They corresponding to be in regulator and are supplementary persevering.
