Dog Breeds
Border Collie
The Border Collie was developed to gather and control sheep in the hilly borders between England and Scotland, hence the name Border Collie.
The origins of the modern Border Collie can be traced back to one called Old Hemp. His owner, a farmer participated in sheep dog trials. He bred Old Hemp who had the best traits of both parents. Old Hemp never lost a sheepdog trial and became a sought after stud dog, fathering over 200 puppies. One such puppy was called old Kep. He is said to have been the originator of the Collie Eye, a method of using a fixed stare to control a herd.
Purpose
The Border Collies main skill is herding as this is what they were originally developed for. They have the agility and alertness required for this, as well as inbuilt need for a worthwhile purpose and with their determination and ability to impose their will on a herd, makes them ideal for the job.
However, the Border Collie also excels as a search and rescue dog in the normal role and in disaster situations Again, their agility, alertness and sense of smell make them very suited to the role as well as their determination and stamina. Border Collies do have many purposes, a more recent and novel one being as a truffle hunter for which they can be trained successfully.
Physical Attributes
The Border Collie is a medium sized dog with a long body. They have medium length muzzles and a wedge shaped head so that the position of the eyes gives a very good field of vision. The ears are down and floppy when relaxed but upright when alert and swivel constantly, scanning for sound.
The Border Collie has powerful legs that propel them across the landscape for many hours and also allows them to keep themselves stable and rigid while standing their ground when herding.
The coat varies in length, is weather repellent and they also have a warm undercoat. They vary in colour; the more traditional black and white image, tri; red; blue merle. You can also have different variations of all. A border Collie will have a white collar over its shoulders but again this can vary from not much at all to a full collar.
Exercise
The Border Collie needs plenty of exercise. They are known for their unlimited energy, stamina and working drive and thrive on activity being very good at games, both mental and physical. As well as professional activities they enjoy agility, fly ball and canine sports and also enjoy long walks.
Behaviour
This breed very intelligent and easy to train. They are quick to learn but if they are not kept stimulated they will find something to do themselves and this often leads to negative behaviour such as chasing or chewing. A lack in simulation can result in an Obsessive Canine Compulsion which is an exaggerated normal dog behaviour repeated for long periods of time out of context and in situations that would be considered abnormal.
If a Border Collie is trained and given the right stimulation on a constant basis they can make wonderful, loyal, fun and loving family pets.
List of references
Picture of Border Collie herding from www.art.co.uk
www.guildofshepherdsandcollies.com
Picture of Old Hemp from www.wikipedia.com
Rhodesian Ridgeback
In Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), semi domesticated dogs were used by the Khiokhoi tribe for the hunting of lions and other large predators and for protecting livestock. These were large dogs with a ridge of hair growing backwards on their back, hence the name. European settlers, admiring their capabilities, bred them with large European breeds to get the Rhodesian Ridgeback that exists today. The requirements were that they were able to find prey and to be big and strong enough to hold them at bay while the hunter arrives. They can do this alone, but when in packs, one Ridgeback will run directly towards game while the others in the pack circle around to cut off its escape.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
In the 17th and 18th centuries, one of the biggest gambling events was bull and bear baiting where packs of dogs were set onto them. It was thought that while being attacked, a bull released hormones into its muscles and blood stream, making the meat more tender. It was in fact illegal to sell meat unless it had first been baited by dogs. These dogs were the Old English Bulldog, which are much different from today’s standard. By crossing these fighting Bull Dogs with terriers the dog known as the Bull and Terrier was developed.
When the Cruelty to Animals Act was created in 1835 all baiting and dog fighting was banned. The space required for bull baiting prevented this sport from continuing in secret, but as dog fighting could be organised indoors a new breed of dog was bred by Staffordshire potters which was a combination of Bull and Terrier and smaller terriers, the result being the muscular and stocky Staffordshire Bull Terrier. As many of the potters had families and the dogs were kept at home, any aggression towards adults or children was bred out of them over approximately 50 years giving us the dog we have today.