It is hard to imagine a life without dogs by our sides; they are man’s best friends and a perfect addition to any family. But have you wondered what dog breed would be the most perfect addition to your family? A Border Collie might just be it!
A dog is the only thing on Earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
– Josh Billings
When I was younger, I had a Border Collie, and he was the sweetest dog on earth! Noticing significant things about my little Zorro, I wrote down my top five reasons why a Border Collie is the ideal dog breed for anyone to have.
1: You can’t get mad at them
Though it goes without saying that all dogs are adorable, a Border Collie just has a look that melts your heart. Coming in many different mixtures of colors, they have a variety of different looks in addition to their usual black and white pattern, each one just as cute as the other. How can you stay mad at the little guy?
2: They are always ready to have fun
Some dogs just like to sit around and eat all day; this is not the case with a Border Collie. Think about the word ‘walk,’ and they will already be at your feet wagging their tails. Some may even say that having to give them this attention is a downside, but like my Zorro, if a Collie is well-trained and educated, they will learn to wait for the right times to play.
3: No unexpected trips to the vet
Sadly, many dogs have a tendency to get sick or inherit genetic diseases; however, that is a low possibility for a Border Collie. Collies have a long lifespan of about 14-15 years and will definitely not leave you often anxious about their health. Living until his 15th year, Zorro lived every day of his life in shape, running around, and always—always healthy.
4: They are incredibly smart
Making things even better, the smartest dog breed just happens to be a Border Collie, known for reaching the mental capacity of about a four-year-old child. That is a lot! Four-year-olds are already learning the ABCs and coloring everything they see. Performing tricks and learning with ease, Collies have a mental capacity that makes them the best dog breed for learning tricks.
To Border Collies, being a leader runs in their blood. Known for being the most prominent dog at herding sheep, Collies are natural leaders due to their intelligence. This makes them perfect for families, especially those with small children.
5: A great company
Because they are so smart, having them with us feels like having a behaved, furry child by our side. Always finding a way to be with my family and me, my past dog, Zorro, loved being around us at all times. Slowly sliding into our laps or staying hours next to us while we worked through something, Zorro would have never left his humans’ side.
Serving as core memories in a child’s life, a dog that understands their age and respects them is crucial. My Zorro was older than I, and when I was born, he was almost as happy as my parents. Watching me, carefully playing with me, and loving me my entire childhood, he was like the big brother I never had.
Dogs are known for their loyalty, but Collies are without a doubt very, very loyal. A Border Collie is not much of the adventure type of dog; they are house dogs that will do anything to be with their families. I remember how my dog would never need a leash for walking or how he would always find his way home no matter where he was.
Due to their size, Collies are perfect for families as well as single people striving to feel protected. Barking to protect you, with just the tone, you can tell what danger they are trying to protect you from, like the evil birds and squirrels who try to invade your precious property. Their bark and teeth will always scare those with mean intent towards you, just like it once caused a home invader to get out of our backyard through the fence, running for his life.
I’m suspicious of people who don’t like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn’t like a person.
― Bill Murray
Though we cannot generalize every dog just because of their breed, I can certainly say that you would not regret getting a Border Collie. Growing up with such a smart and loyal dog changed my life, and though Zorro might be gone now, his influence still affects who I am today. In truth, there are hundreds of adorable dog breeds that may suit your family, but these are the reasons why a Collie is an extremely unforgettable dog to have.
