It is said that the Border Collie descends from dogs used by the Vikings to herd reindeer. When the Border Collies arrived in Scotland, they were most likely crossed with the Valee Sheepdog. Today, the British Border Collie is recognised world-wide as perhaps the most intelligent, hard-working, agile and loyal breed available to sheep-herders. The Border Collies herding instincts and abilities are unsurpassed and it is the breed's ability to work that is of prime importance. Owners of a Border Collie must be able to provide plenty of exercise and activity.

Appearance
Border Collies have historically been selected for working ability, not looks, and therefore vary widely in appearance. In general, Border Collies are medium-sized dogs without extreme physical characteristics and a moderate amount of coat. Eye colour varies from deep brown to amber or blue with occasionally one eye of each colour. The ears of the Border Collie are also highly variable — some have fully erect ears, some fully dropped and others are semi-erect (similar to that of the Rough Collie). Although working Border Collie handlers sometimes have superstitions about the appearance of their dogs (many handlers do not prefer red dogs, or mostly white dogs), in general a dog's appearance is considered to be irrelevant. It is much more useful to identify a working Border Collie by its attitude and ability than by its looks.

Those Border Collies bred for the conformation ring are much more homogeneous in appearance than working Border Collies, since to be successful show dogs they must conform to breed club standards that are specific on many points of the structure, coat and colour. Kennel clubs specify, for example, that the Border Collie must have a "keen and intelligent" expression, and that the preferred eye colour is dark brown. In deference to the Border Collie’s working origin, scars and broken teeth received in the line of duty are not to be counted against a Border Collie in the show ring.

Character
Border Collies are unsuitable pets for people who cannot or will not provide a considerable amount of daily exercise for their dogs, both physical and mental. They are also a poor choice for households that are not prepared for the characteristic behaviors that are part of their working heritage. For example, like many working breeds, Border Collies can be motion-sensitive and may attempt to control the movements of family members, cats, squirrels, bicycles, cars, or anything else that moves if not given enough mental and physical stimulation. Many Border Collies end up in shelters or rescue groups because owners who may have been attracted by their appearance and intelligence were not prepared to meet their dogs' needs.
 

Temperament
The Border Collie is a high energy breed that loves to work and requires activities to keep it healthy and occupied. Border Collies are highly intelligent, sensitive and responsive. They thrive on pleasing their owner day in and day out and will not be happy sitting around a house all day. Border Collies are very energetic, highly trainable and have great stamina.

Exercise/Training
The Border Collie needs a job. It needs a lot of physical and mental activity every day to satisfy its quest for work. Playing and Dog Obedience are very good types of mental exercises. 20 minutes Dog Obedience and playing with your Border Collie will be more useful for the dogs exercise then an hour walk on the leash. But as said above, the Border Collie really needs his job; he will not be happy without. The Border Collie is a dog that cannot live in an apartment and that should preferably have ready access to a yard. Because of their working background, Border Collies excel at several dog sports. They dominate the higher jump heights at dog agility competitions, so much so that in England the Border Collies occasionally are given competitions separate from all other breeds.

Color
Their double coats can be anywhere from slick to lush, and can come in many colours, although black and white is by far the most common, and therefore the most common in public perception. Black tri-colour (black/tan/white) and red and white also occur regularly, with other colours such as blue and white, red merle, blue merle, "ee" or "Australian red," and sable seen less frequently.

Grooming
The coat of the Border Collie needs brushing twice a week. A good nutrition and regular brushing keeps the proper coat shine and the skin healthy. Bathing doesn’t harm the coat of the Border Collie as long as you use a good quality shampoo that doesn't dry the skin and coat and is formulated for a canine coat. The ears of the Border Collie should be kept clean and regularly inspected as well.

Any breed described as "good with children", the dog must be accustomed to children. Any dog that is not well socialized with children will not behave predictably around them. As with all dogs, they should never be left alone with young children.

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