Have you heard of the short-haired Border Collie? Yes, they exist! While they may not be as popular as the long-haired Border Collie, they are as brilliant and loving as them.
Since short-haired Border Collies are not the traditional rough-haired dogs, does that mean they are mixed breeds or non-standard? If you are curious about the answer, stick around until the end of this guide!
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the short-haired Border Collie, such as genetics, temperament, costs, and many more.
What Is a Short-Haired Border Collie?
A short-haired Border Collie is a purebred dog that has smooth fur. Also known as the smooth-coated Border Collie, this pooch has a short, weather-resistant coat. Like its counterpart, the rough-haired Border Collie, smooth-coated Border Collies are also recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Since the AKC considers the smooth-coated Border Collie as one of the standard fur types for the breed, this variant is eligible to join dog shows and other AKC competitions.
Short-haired Border Collies are natural shepherd dogs that tend to be workaholics. Most farm owners prefer to have smooth-coated Border Collies because their coats are easier to maintain.
Short-haired Border Collies, alongside other variants of the breed, originally came from the border of England and Scotland; hence, their name. Over the years, they were developed as working and companion dogs.
Are Short-Haired Border Collies Rare?
Despite being less popular than the rough-coated Border Collie, short-haired Border Collies are not considered rare at all.
Since many breeders produce short-haired Border Collies, you can literally find them everywhere.
In fact, almost all reputable breeders, rescue organizations, and shelters have short-haired Border Collies, albeit fewer than rough-coated ones.
Although the smooth-coated Border Collie doesn’t initially come to people’s minds when you mention the breed, these dogs are by no means scarce in the pet world.
Thanks to their excellent traits, they are bred and widely adored anywhere in the world.
Short-Haired Border Collie Appearance
Short-haired Border Collies are medium-sized dogs with short coats throughout their bodies. Unlike rough-coated Border Collies, they have little to no feathering in haunches, chests, ruffs, and forelegs.
Generally, short-haired Border Collies are muscular and athletic-looking. These herding dogs grow to around 18 to 22 inches in height and between 30 and 55 pounds in weight.
Compared to rough-coated Border Collies, short-haired Border Collies may appear slimmer because of their thin coats. However, the breed standards suggest they both variants share the same body mass.
Regardless of coat length, Border Collies are known to have the usual black and white coats. However, these dogs can also sport other fur colors. Some are more common, while others are quite rare.
Overall, smooth-coated Border Collies display gratefulness, athleticism, alertness, and agility. They have sweet yet alert expressions, and their gait is suggestive of their eagerness to work.
Short-Haired Border Collie Genetics
Since short-coated Border Collies are considered standard, it’s no surprise they are bred globally. But what do these dogs have that makes their coats long or short?
For starters, the hair length of Border Collies is determined by their dominant genes. Interestingly, the short-coat gene is usually dominant, while the rough-coat gene is often recessive.
In other words, this means that you only need one copy of the short hair gene to produce smooth-coated Border Collies.
In fact, when you breed two smooth-coated Border Collies together, you are likely to get a short-haired litter.
Meanwhile, short-haired Border Collies bred with rough-coated Border Collies will still produce short-haired pups. However, about 50% of their offspring will be carriers of the recessive gene.
On the flip side, if you breed two rough coat carriers, they will most likely produce 75% short-haired Border Collies. Moreover, about 25% of the litter will be long-haired pups.
Short-Haired Border Collie Temperament and Personality
Short-haired Border Collies have incredibly high energy. Since they are bred to be working dogs, they crave daily activities that involve physical and mental stimulation.
If they are socialized and trained early, short-haired Border Collies make ideal pets for all ages. Moreover, you shouldn’t be worried about training this dog. They are naturally responsive to training and very intelligent.
Smooth-coated Border Collies can be playful, especially with children and other pets. However, when it comes to doing their work, they are always focused and alert.
If you are getting a smooth-coated Border Collie for companionship, it’s important to engage your pooch in regular physical activities. If not given enough work, they are likely to display destructive behaviors and zoomies.
Overall, short-haired Border Collies are cheerful dogs that are always excited to see you. They love fulfilling tasks and would also love some cuddles and playtime.
Here’s an adorable video of a short-haired Border Collie puppy in one of its training sessions:
Training A Border Collie Puppy #bordercollietraining #bordercollie #bordercolliepuppy<a href="https://youtu.be/rhwIqM-Q-9o" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FrhwIqM-Q-9o%2F0.jpg" alt="Training A Border Collie Puppy #bordercollietraining #bordercollie #bordercolliepuppy" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Short-Haired Border Collie Lifespan and Health Issues
Smooth-coated Border Collies have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. This makes them excellent buddies if you want a long-lived pet to build memories and reach milestones with.
Generally, the short-haired Border Collie is a healthy dog as long as it receives adequate care, regular vet visits, and lots of love.
However, no matter how meticulous you are with your pet, it may still develop some health issues.
To give you an overview, here is a list of common health issues your smooth-coated Border Collie may develop:
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is one of the most common health conditions found in short-haired Border Collies. It is characterized by the malformation or misalignment of your dog’s socket and the ball of its hind leg, resulting in pain, discomfort, and decreased mobility.
Collie Eye Defect: Collie eye defect is a genetic mutation that occurs when a Border Collie’s retina does not develop sufficiently. This leads to eyesight problems. Unfortunately, this condition can only be rectified through surgery.
Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that results in sudden, uncontrolled, and recurring seizures. It can cause changes to your short-haired Border Collie’s behavior and movements. Fortunately, epilepsy can be managed through medications.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): PRA is a degenerative disease that affects short-haired Border Collies. It affects the photoreceptor cells of the dog and may lead to blindness. The use of antioxidants and vitamins helps reduce stress on the eyes and delay negative effects. However, there is still no known cure for PRA.
Genetics plays a big role in the overall health of your dog. Hence, getting your Border Collie from a reputable breeder who performs health checks is a must.
Aside from genetics, diet, exercise, and living conditions will also affect the health and lifespan of your dog.
Smooth-Coated Border Collie Grooming and Shedding
Short-haired or smooth-coated Border Collies are low maintenance when it comes to grooming.
Despite their coarse, thick hair, they are fairly easy to maintain. Meanwhile, in terms of shedding, they shed moderately twice yearly.
Regular brushing and occasional bathing are enough to keep their coats silky and healthy. Also, since they have less feathering than rough-coated Border Collies, they only need brushing once a week.
However, since they love being in the grass, a quick tip is always to check their fur or skin for ticks. You should also ensure that they take their tick and flea preventive medications to avoid tick-borne diseases.
In addition, their nails should be trimmed regularly, and their ears should be cleaned at least once a month. You might also want to read some tips on grooming your smooth-coated Border Collies.
Overall, short-haired Border Collies are neat dogs. They don’t require as much upkeep as their long-haired cousins. However, it is still important to keep their basic grooming needs in check.
How Much Does a Short-Haired Border Collie Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses
Short-haired Border Collies can be acquired from a reputable breeder for a price ranging between $700 and $1,500.
However, if you want a show dog or a champion-line pup, expect to pay around $3,500 to $4,500.
If you don’t want to drain your pocket, an excellent way to save money is through adoption. It only costs around $200 to $500 to adopt a short-haired Border Collie.
To give you a brief overview, here are the initial expenses associated with owning a short-haired Border Collie:
Investing wisely rather than buying cheap products is best to minimize repetitive purchases.
Many of the products mentioned above are readily available in pet stores, so you won’t need to look for them elsewhere.
If you want to learn more, read our article on the Border Collie’s costs and expenses. You’ll find a more in-depth financial discussion in that guide.
Places to Find Short-Haired Border Collie Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Short-haired Border Collies are everywhere these days. However, we only recommend getting your pooch from reputable breeders and rescues.
As much as possible, stay away from puppy mills and backyard breeders.
To give you a head start, here are a few reputable places where you can find short-haired Border Collies:
Rising Star Border Collies – This kennel is based in Connecticut and they specialize in breeding all kinds of Border Collies, including the smooth-coated variant. They produce litter ideal for companionship, and their dogs always come with health clearances.
Kensington Border Collies & Australian Shepherds – This breeder offers a wide variety of Border Collies. They have short-haired Border Collies that are bred for obedience, companionship, and even sports. However, they sell fast, so make sure to keep in touch with them right away.
Premier Border Collies – The breeder behind Premiere Border Collies is an AKC conformation judge, AKC scent work judge, and an AKC farm dog judge. That said, you can expect their dogs are handled by experts. Moreover, they are one of the few kennels that give breeding rights to their buyers if desired.
On the other hand, if you prefer adopting a short-haired Border Collie, we’ve compiled a few places for you to connect with.
Here’s a list of rescue organizations and shelters where you can find short-haired Border Collies for adoption:
Midwest Border Collie Rescue (MWBCR) – MWBCR is a registered non-profit organization that saves abandoned, abused, and lost Border Collies and Border Collie mixes. This organization aims to give abandoned Collies proper care and training before rehoming them.
Border Collies in Need (BCIN) – BCIN is a volunteer-based non-profit organization that has been rehabilitating all kinds of Border Collies since 2007. They ensure that all their adoptable dogs are healthy and well-behaved.
Northern California Border Collie Rescue and Adoptions (NCBCRA) – Volunteers of this rescue group save all types of Border Collies that are abandoned, abused, and neglected. They also advocate preventing uncontrolled breeding by spaying and neutering each Border Collie before adoption release.
You can also ask for recommendations from your local vet since they may also know many reputable sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Short-Haired Border Collies Smart?
Yes. Short-haired Border Collies are widely known to be brilliant dogs, just like their rough coat cousins.
They are pretty workaholic pets and are natural at learning various commands compared to other breeds.
In addition, work is always their happy place. Without it, they can be destructive. Once they are doing their job, they are laser-focused, making them one of the most intelligent dogs in the world.
Do Short-Haired Border Collies Shed a Lot?
Short-haired Border Collies are average shedders and have low maintenance in grooming. However, you may need to brush them daily during shedding season to keep your house fur-free.
Moreover, they are not hypoallergenic, so they may not be suitable for people with allergies and dander sensitivities, especially since short-haired Border Collies shed twice a year.
How Short Can You Cut a Border Collie’s Hair?
Technically, you can cut your Border Collie’s hair however you want, but according to the standard mentioned above, they should be presented with little to no trimmings, especially at competitions.
Since smooth-coated Border Collies already have short hair, trimming their hair will be deemed unnecessary. Once shedding season comes, brushing them daily will do the trick rather than cutting.
Final Thoughts: Is a Short-Haired Border Collie the Right Dog for You?
When it comes to short-haired Border Collies, you should be prepared with good training skills since they have quite an energy. Acquire this breed if you want a dog that is ideal for agility and herding.
Moreover, if you’re looking for a smart and affectionate dog, they are also one of the best pets to have.
Their intelligence and herding ability make them one of the most versatile dogs, perfect for family companionship.
Their playful side makes them great with kids too. Although short-haired Border Collies require at least a large yard and daily walks, they love to work as well.
What’s your favorite thing about this awesome pooch? Let us know your thoughts about the short-haired Border Collie in the comments section below!
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