The Border Collie is rightfully considered one of the most obedient, intelligent and hardworking dogs in the world. However, experienced owners often prefer crosses with other breeds over purebred Borders. There are several reasons for this:
- Border collies are very energetic and active animals: they have no equal in endurance. Such dogs “work for the sake of work” - they need almost round-the-clock activity. Not every owner will be able to provide this to their dog: crossing with a representative of a calmer breed will only be beneficial.
- Borders are the smartest dogs. It sounds unexpected, but highly intelligent animals are not suitable for every owner: such pets need special training to develop intelligence, a special approach. Otherwise, the cunning animal begins to show excessive independence and strives to become the leader in the “pack.”
Next are the most wonderful “mixes” of border collies with representatives of other breeds.
Alaskan Malamute and Husky
nordicmalamutes, ig_huskyheaven
Malamutes are more powerful, their fur is longer and fluffier, and their ears are more rounded. Huskies seem more graceful and slender. It may also seem that Malamutes have a kinder facial expression than Huskies - all because of the color characteristics of the latter. However, it only seems so, because the character of a dog does not depend at all on its color.
Mixed Border Collie and Labrador Retriever
This mix is the result of crossing Borders with the most popular dog breed in America. This crossbreed surprises with its intelligence and intelligence: this is the heritage of both the border collie and the Labrador. From the last parent, the hybrid also inherits amazing friendliness: the dog quickly finds a “common language” with strangers and gets along well with small children.
Boradors strive with all their hearts to please their owners, which makes them wonderful to raise and train. The main thing for a person is to find an incentive to train his dog.
Photo of a Labrador and Border Collie hybrid:
Cane Corso and boxers
_cane_corso_italiano, sturges.story
Usually Cane Corso can be distinguished by cropped ears, but if such manipulation is not carried out, then they can be confused with Boxers. The main difference, of course, is the size - Cane Corsos are much more powerful and muscular than boxers, who are distinguished by their fit.
If you still haven’t been able to determine who is in front of you - a pug or a Labrador, it’s better to ask its owner: “Who is this cute little charmer here?” We are sure that the owners will be happy to tell you about the breed and character of their pet.
A dog breed similar to a collie
The Australian Shepherd is a fairly young breed of dog, developed in the early 1900s. The breed was originally a cross between many working farm dogs that arrived in Australia with herders from various European countries. At least ten breeds of dogs took part in the formation of the breed, from each of which the Australian Shepherd received something different - be it color, type of coat, shape of the head, body or ears, short tail, etc.
Let's look at dog breeds related and simply similar to the Australian Shepherd - with a brief description and photographs. Perhaps for some of the readers this information will be not only interesting, but also useful.
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Initially, Australian Shepherds were bred without regard to color or height, because the main thing that was required from a herding dog was excellent working qualities. You can also see in archival photos that the dogs had a wide range in height. Presumably, shorter dogs were used to herd sheep, and taller dogs were used to herd cattle. When Australian shepherds became popular throughout America, some breeders decided to continue breeding miniature dogs no taller than 43 cm. Now mini Aussies are a well-established breed, especially popular in the USA and some European countries, but, alas, not officially recognized in Russia.
Border Collie Health and Diseases
Possible diseases
Border Collies enjoy excellent health, mainly due to their mobility. But sometimes it lets them down: dogs have hip dysplasia, which takes a long time to treat.
In addition, borders are prone to blindness, both congenital and acquired in old age. A birth defect can be detected as early as two months of age, so you can protect yourself from purchasing a sick puppy - just buy a dog older than 2.5 months.
As they age, some collies experience retinal atrophy, and the dog's vision declines. In this case, everything must be done to ensure that she continues to lead the most active lifestyle possible.
Reproductive health
Estrus in border girls begins between six months and 14 months, and then occurs every two to three quarters. It lasts approximately 22 days, but it is different for each female: for some it can be up to 30 days.
During the period of heat, you should not give the dog freedom: provide walking only on a leash, and if the dog lives on the territory of a private house, be sure to lock it in an enclosure or keep it at home. Natural instinct encourages the bitch to do the impossible, and even the most obedient dog during estrus can run away and get lost.
The bitch begins to be mated on her third heat, and human assistance is required only if there is an obvious difference in height between the partner dogs. In all other respects, mating proceeds easily.
Pregnancy usually lasts 60 days, but sometimes the bitch can transition a little - up to 70 days. If the dog has not whelped on the 70th day after mating, then it is time to contact a veterinarian.
How to buy an Australian Shepherd puppy
A purebred Aussie puppy can only be purchased from a large nursery. This is still a rare breed in Russia, but its popularity is growing rapidly. It is expensive - 40-60 thousand rubles. The price of a show class dog is even higher - from 70 thousand. A puppy with a defect can be bought for 20-30 thousand. But in this case, there is a possibility that he will develop genetic diseases.
The breeder must provide all the necessary documents, a veterinary passport. It is important to study the conditions in which the animals are kept and examine the puppies. It is recommended to choose the most active, cheerful and inquisitive person. The puppy should be of average build, with smooth shiny coat, clear eyes, and a soft belly.
Photos complement the description of Aussie puppies:
Keeping Australian Shepherds
The Australian Shepherd is a very active and restless pet. In a city apartment, it can only be kept on condition of long walks with physical activity. If the dog does not splash out his energy, he may start acting out and causing damage to things and property. Or he will get bored and depressed.
It is best to keep this shepherd in a private house with a large plot. You can't put an Aussie on a chain, she needs freedom. If kept in an enclosure, it should be spacious and have an open exit. Despite the fact that Aussies easily overcome any obstacles, they rarely run away, as they are strongly attached to their owner.
When kept in an apartment, it is necessary to walk at least 2-3 hours a day. At home, also provide the pet with the opportunity to move, play, and carry out various errands. The air in the room should be fresh; in summer it is advisable to have air conditioning, since these dogs do not tolerate heat well due to their thick coat.
Features of care
Despite the long, thick coat, caring for the Aussie is easy. The usual procedures for all dogs are required.
- Brush the coat several times a week. A long-toothed comb and a brush with stiff bristles are suitable for this. Pay special attention to the paws, belly and collar; tangles often form on them. To make combing easier, you can spray the coat with conditioner or water. During molting, a slicker brush, a furminator, or a rubber mitt are used for combing. During this period, it is advisable to carry out the procedure every day.
- Bathing an Aussie is often not recommended. If it doesn't get dirty outside, once every 2-3 months is enough. Use a special shampoo for dogs with coarse hair.
- Once a week you need to brush your pet's teeth. This will help avoid the appearance of unpleasant odors from the mouth and tartar.
- Use special products to clean your ears weekly from dirt and wax. It is also recommended to trim their fur.
- Aussies are prone to eye diseases. Therefore, it is worth inspecting them every day and rinsing them with clean water.
- After walks, wash your paws, this is especially important in the mud and in winter, when the roads are treated with reagents. It is also necessary to trim the nails periodically if they do not grind down on their own.
Health
The Australian Shepherd is in good health. They usually live 10-12 years, but with proper care they can live up to 14-15 years. Acquired diseases include obesity, indigestion, and parasitic diseases. To avoid infections, you need to vaccinate your pet on time and carry out antiparasitic treatment.
There are several hereditary diseases characteristic of this breed:
- cataract, retinal atrophy;
- hip dysplasia;
- epilepsy;
- deafness;
- allergy.
The genetic peculiarity of Aussies is that they do not tolerate many medications. This issue should be clarified by a veterinarian and never give your pet medications on your own.
Nutrition
If you choose natural food, you need to monitor the quality of the products. The bulk of the diet should be lean meat, preferably beef, turkey or rabbit. It is combined with cereals and vegetables. Fermented milk products, offal, eggs, boneless sea fish, and vegetable oil are also useful. Additionally, you need to give multivitamin complexes, chondroprotectors to protect joints, and fish oil.
Fatty and fried foods, pork, sweets, baked goods, sausages and smoked meats are prohibited. You should not give chicken bones, legumes, potatoes, mushrooms, spices, or milk. You should not overfeed your pet to prevent excess weight. An adult dog should eat twice a day; you should not give him kibble or food from your table.
Veterinarians recommend feeding shepherds with premium or super-premium dry food. They contain all the microelements necessary for your pet. You need to choose food designed for active dogs. The following brands are suitable:
- Acana Heritage Sport;
- Bosch Active;
- Belcando Adult Power;
- Royal Canin HE Club;
- Brit Premium By Nature Sport;
- Arden Grange;
- Pro Plan Adult Performance.
Characteristics of Australian Shepherds
The Australian Shepherd is an ideal companion, loyal friend and devoted protector. This is a cheerful, active dog that can infect everyone around with its optimism. She can even smile. Therefore, it is often used for canistherapy; communication with this amazing dog helps people cope with neuroses, anxiety disorders, and depression.
These dogs have several characteristic qualities due to which their popularity is growing all over the world.
- Aussies are among the top ten smartest dogs. Their uniqueness is that they can think and find a solution on their own. Owners especially often note their ability to overcome obstacles, open valves, and climb over fences. They can climb into a closet, open a bag, take food out of the refrigerator.
- Aussies are very friendly and peaceful. They get along with other animals, dogs. They are never the first to get into a fight, and they never bark for no reason.
- Aussies are shepherd dogs and have a very strong herding instinct. They love all animals and will herd and care for cats and hamsters. During the walk, the dog makes sure that no one lags behind.
- An Aussie can be a good nanny for a child. She will never offend the baby and will not harm him during any game. They are patient with hugs; even if the child hurts her, the Aussie will not show aggression. They simply adore children, they are ready to look after them all day, participate in games, and protect them.
- These are very active dogs and will never become a couch potato. Aussies cannot sit idle, they are curious. They need to take part in all the affairs of the owner and accompany him. Often they are so protective of a person that they can be intrusive. But with an Aussie you can walk in the park, ride a bike, or go hiking.
- These are loyal and loyal dogs. They become very attached to their owner and his family members and get bored when alone. Change of owners is not handled well. They are sensitive, understand the change in mood of the owner and are able to support him. This peace-loving, kind dog does not tolerate scandals and quarrels, and will try to reconcile people.
The inconsistency and uniqueness of these dogs is that they are good-natured, love people, but have strong protective instincts and a sense of ownership. Most often, they are indifferent to strangers, do not show aggression, and easily come into contact. But in case of danger, they boldly defend their family members and territory. In such a situation, the dog does not wait for a command, but makes its own decision.
Education and training
These dogs are smart, easy to train, capable of performing various tricks and making independent decisions. Therefore, they are often used for business purposes. The Australian Shepherd is the best guide, companion, and nanny for a child. They are used in search and rescue, police, and to search for drugs and illegal substances.
But for this dog to be obedient, it must be trained correctly. Representatives of the breed require early socialization. Without training, an Aussie can become uncontrollable, even aggressive. If she does not see the owner as a leader, she begins to dominate and acts as she sees fit. And because of the pronounced herding instincts, an ill-mannered shepherd will chase everything that moves.
Therefore, from the first days of arrival in the house, you need to show the puppy who is in charge. He must immediately learn the rules of behavior and understand what not to do. Already at 2-3 months, a puppy can learn the words “place”, “to me”, “no”, “fu”, “sit”. Gradually, you can teach the dog more complex commands: “near”, “fetch”, “give me a paw”, “search”, “fetch”, “circle” and others.
These dogs need constant mental exercise. Aussies cannot sit idle; they are inquisitive and active. To keep your pet from getting bored, he needs mental stimulation. These could be games of hide and seek or searching for objects, or interactive toys. Australians love ball games, Frisbee, and agility. They are interested in performing difficult tricks.
The Australian Shepherd does not like monotony. She will quickly get bored with training with repeated commands. Therefore, the main condition for effective training is that it should take place in the form of a game. If the dog fails to do something, it is better to try another time. Motivation is needed to successfully assimilate a command. Aussies only need affection or treats. You cannot scold or hit the dog.
During training, you need to take into account the peculiarities of these dogs. The Australian Shepherd is very resilient and often does not pay attention to pain and discomfort. Therefore, she will continue to run and follow commands, even if she gets hurt or is very hot.
Interesting photos of representatives of the breed complement their characteristics:
Border Collie Personality
The most important thing that a future border collie owner should know is that dogs of this breed require a lot of work. The pet needs constant work, and he will happily endure both routine and frequent changes in activity.
“Border guards” were bred as hard workers, and it was for these qualities that they became loved by many people. Shepherd service is not easy, but the Borders have a craving for it in their blood, and nothing can be done about it. And since nothing can be done, we need to turn it to our advantage.
For example, leave your collie to look after children or other animals - he will happily get down to business. And so zealously that the owner sometimes has to cancel the task so that the dog lets his charges go. If you see that your dog is following you around, you should know that its herding instinct is not fully realized.
Border collies love long walks, hikes, running, and various exercises. Changing places is easy for them, and great physical activity is a joy. It is not possible to keep such animals in an apartment - it is unlikely that the owner will be able to travel 7-10 kilometers with the four-legged animal every day. And for this breed, such mileage is the norm.
The whole world is talking about the border's intelligence. This dog really grasps everything on the fly: what is needed and what is not needed. Useful skills include understanding and executing commands (the collie learns them in one or two minutes), and unhelpful skills include finding loopholes in the character of the owner and family members. Indeed, the borderer knows how to assess people's weaknesses and then skillfully use them to his advantage. So don't fall for his tricks!
Without mental and physical activity, Border Collies become lethargic and may become ill. Therefore, you should not buy a puppy of this breed if you are not sure that you can exercise it a lot. The Border Collie's temperament is almost ideal only when there is physical and mental stress.
Breed traits
Breed traits (on a 5-point scale)
| Australian Shepherd | |||
| Activity | in the house | 3.5 | |
| on the street | 4.6 | ||
| Obedience | training | 4.4 | |
| strangers | 4.1 | ||
| Domination | in family | 2.1 | |
| over dogs | 2.8 | ||
| Defending your territory | from people | 3 | |
| from dogs | 2.8 | ||
| Sociability | in family | 4.6 | |
| with strangers | 3.3 | ||
| with dogs | 3.5 | ||
| Concentration | in family | 1.5 | |
| in front of strangers | 2.7 | ||
| with dogs | 2.5 | ||
| Aggressiveness | in family | 1.4 | |
| to strangers | 2.5 | ||
| to the dogs | 2.4 | ||
| to cats | 2.1 | ||
| Family behavior | calmness | 4.5 | |
| demand for affection | 4.4 | ||
| excitability | 4.3 | ||
| playfulness | 4.4 | ||
| excessive barking | 2.8 | ||
| behavioral breakdowns | 2.3 | ||
| Tolerance for children | up to 4 years | 1.6 | |
| over 4 years old | 1.9 | ||
| Institutional use | watchman | 4 | |
| bodyguard | 2.6 | ||
This breed is often compared to the following dog breeds: Border Collie, German Shepherd, Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog), Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever.
The photo shows what Australian Shepherds look like:
