Border Collie Temperament – Are These the Right Dogs for You?Rated as one of the most intelligent breeds, Border Collie temperament also makes them one of the most challenging to live with. Sure, they appear to be spunky, friendly and incredibly loving with that loose flowing coat, bright eyes and inquisitive gaze but looks can be deceiving. Yes, these dogs can make exceptional, loyal, affectionate companions in the right home but traditional Border Collie personality is not for everyone. It is important to do your homework on the breed before you bring one home. Too many of these gorgeous dogs end up in shelters and rescues because people were not familiar with typical Border Collie temperament before they decided to purchase or adopt one. Border Collie Behavior If there was ever a dog to own based on beauty and work ethics, it would be the Border Collie. Temperament on the other hand, often leaves much to be desired. These dogs are perfect if you're going to actually have them on the farm herding sheep or cattle or if you are an extremely active person who is willing to wear yours out. Otherwise, natural Border Collie temperament has a natural instinct to herd and not only that, they can be quite destructive as well. Of course, this is not entirely their fault! This breed just has so much energy, it needs to be exerted in some way whether it's desirable or not. • Stamina – One of the most desirable traits when exploring Border Collie temperament is that they have an insane endurance level. This means that your dog will be more than happy working all day long without getting tired. • Shy – As friendly as these dogs look, one of the most unknown Border Collie personality traits is that they are actually standoffish by nature. They are typically more interested in herding a person or animal who approaches them then become friends or seeking attention. That being said, this is certainly not a rule when it comes to Border Collie temperament. When socialized properly and consistently, this breed can be just as friendly and loveable as any other, it just takes a little extra effort. • Curious – You can look at curious Border Collie behavior either in a positive or negative way. On the positive side, they love to learn new things, they are natural problem solvers. The reason why some people look at curiosity negatively when exploring Border Collie temperament is because their curious nature often turns quite mischievous. They are incredibly observant and pick up watched behaviors like opening cupboards, doors, cabinets and even opening gates and will be happy to mimic these actions. These dogs are known for being escape artists so fences will rarely hold them back if they want out. • Separation Anxiety – Again, this is not a negative Border Collie behavior you will have to deal with if your dog either has a job to do or companionship. They hate to be alone for too long and will become destructive. People blame Border Collie temperament for them ending up in shelters but really if pet owners would understand the breed's nature first, they would know you cannot have one of these dogs and leave them home alone for eight hours while you're at work. • Herding – This is a natural quality in Border Collie temperament. No, you can't teach them not to do it either! These dogs don't just herd livestock, they are happy to herd children, joggers, bikes, small animals and even cars. Pretty much anything that moves will provoke Border Collie personality traits to show such as nipping, biting and poking to get everyone or everything in line. It is this Border Collie temperament that makes many of these dogs poor choices for homes with small children. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule. Border Collie Temperament – Herding Explained When examining Border Collie behavior, the primary trait that arises is the breed's natural desire to herd. Some suggest this can be compared to a wolf's instinct to kill. Border Collies have been thoughtfully bred to circle and gather without actually going in for the attack. The stare down is the first Border Collie behavior that you'll notice when they are herding, followed by nipping, barking and even biting. If you are considering bringing one of these dogs into your home, be sure that you can offer the proper environment to accommodate Border Collie temperament. It is unfair to these striking dogs that they are given away and abandoned because of their natural instincts. Related Articles: Do Border Collies Shed? Find Out Right Now! Tips For Border Collie Training Border Collie Information – Everything You Want to Know
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