Appearance of the Border Springer
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| The Border Springer takes on the appearance of both the Border Collie and the English Springer Spaniel. Although appearance can vary even within the same litter, the typical Border Springer will have the body of a Springer and a combination of other Border Collie traits. This is a medium-sized dog that may be available in a variety of colors; the most common being black and white or liver and white. Although the coat can be long or short and smooth, it is always lined with a dense topcoat and soft undercoat. If the coat is longer, feathers will be present along the legs, belly and tail. Border Springers have bright, oval-shaped eyes, full of life and intelligence, with a tendency to be dark brown or black on occasion. The ears are medium-sized and set wide apart on a broad, proud head. They are supple, as none of the parent breeds tend to have erect ears. |
Temperament of the Border Springer
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| The Border Springer temperament is a combination of Border Collie and English Springer Spaniel. This means that while both breeds are very loving, loyal and great with children, they have a high intelligence that can sometimes make this a fault. Due to the fact that the Spaniel is designed to hunt prey and the Border Collie is meant for herding, if your Border Springer doesn't have proper training and socialization when it's young, it can end up hunting and herding young children or other animals. Border Springers, while not overly noisy, tend to bark at strangers or disturbances to alert their owners. While this is a good thing in some cases, it can become annoying for close neighbors. This, and the combined need for plenty of space to exercise, make the Border Springer a dog that needs a bigger house with a yard and more living space in the suburbs or countryside. There's no doubt that while this breed is beautiful and highly intelligent, it's not a breed for inexperienced owners. Proper training and determination will be needed to ensure that your Border Springer doesn't congregate inappropriately and that its energy is used productively. Overall, this breed is an excellent companion, worker and family dog with lots of energy and lots of love. |
Needs and activities of the Border Springer
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| Because the Border Springer has very active and energetic genes, it's a breed that will need plenty of exercise during the day. This doesn't just mean exercising alone in the yard. The Border Collie and English Springer Spaniel are highly intelligent, so physical and mental stimulation is necessary to keep your dog happy and content. Long walks, jogging, bike rides, fetch, puzzles and yard fetch are excellent ways to keep your Border Springer entertained. Be sure to stay on top of training to ensure that your dog not only learns to behave, but can also be mentally exhausted. This breed does best in a home that has plenty of space to exercise, preferably in a mild climate. If you don't allow your Border Springer enough exercise, it can become destructive and annoying with all its barking. This is not a dog for someone who just wants to sit on the sofa in his spare time. The Border Springer needs an owner who wants to invest in him and spend as much time as possible outdoors. |
Maintenance of the Border Springer
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| Since the Border Collie and English Springer Spaniel are relatively low-maintenance, there's not too much to do to keep your Border Springer clean. Both parent breeds tend to shed moderately all year round, so bear in mind that hair is going to be a constant presence in your home. The best way to minimize shedding is to brush your Border Springer at least a few times a week to remove any dirt or loose body hair. If you have a long-haired version of this breed, be sure to concentrate on the feathers and longer sections of hair to remove debris and tangles. Bathing should only take place occasionally or when your dog is particularly dirty. In addition to brushing and bathing, regular ear cleaning should take place often, as this breed has folded over ears that can trap moisture and foreign bodies, leading to infection and irritation. Always dry your dog's ears thoroughly after bathing or swimming. Nails should be trimmed every few weeks to keep feet healthy. |
English (United Kingdom)