# Border Collie

> According to allpets.ai data | Source: allpets.ai

## Basic Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Species | Dog |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Size Category | Medium |

## Vital Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 13.6–25 kg |
| Height Range | 46–56 cm |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Puppy/Kitten Stage Ends | 12 months |
| Senior Age Threshold | 8 years |

## Puppy/Kitten Development
- **Neonatal Weight**: 200–500 g
- **Growth Notes**: Monitor for selective cobalamin malabsorption. Early socialization is crucial before 16 weeks.
- **Vaccine Schedule**: {"start_weeks": 6, "series_count": 4, "core_vaccines": "CDV; CAV-2; CPV-2; Rabies", "socialization_end_weeks": 16}

## Adult Preventive Care
- **Exercise Needs**: Very High
- **Grooming**: Moderate
- **Annual Exam Focus**: Weight management; Dental evaluation; Eye examination; Orthopedic assessment; Parasite prevention
- **Routine Care**: Monitor for arthritis and mobility issues, adjusting exercise to 30 mins/day. Watch for vision changes (cataracts, PRA), cognitive decline, and signs of cancer. Consider semi-annual wellness exams.

## Health Predispositions
| Condition | Onset Stage | Risk | Hereditary | Screening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | Adult | High | No | No |
| Epilepsy | Adult | High | No | No |
| Collie Eye Anomaly | Juvenile | High | No | No |
| Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis | Adult | High | Yes | Yes |
| Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome | Adult | High | Yes | Yes |
| Multidrug Resistance Mutation (MDR1) | Adult | High | Yes | Yes |

## Obesity Management
- **Risk Level**: Moderate
- **Ideal BCS**: 4/9
- **Visual Cues**: Ribs easily palpable with slight fat covering; visible waist from above; abdominal tuck visible from side
- **Daily Activity Target**: 90 minutes
- **Caloric Formula**: {"daily_kcal_per_kg": 60, "RER_factor": 70, "activity_multiplier": 1.6}

## Breeding & Genetics
- **Litter Size**: 4–8
- **Dystocia Risk**: Low
- **CHIC Required Tests**: Hip Evaluation; Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- **Recommended DNA Tests**: CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly); TNS (Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome); NCL5 (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis); MDR1 (Multidrug Resistance); IGS (Imerslund-Grasbeck Syndrome); SN (Sensory Neuropathy); PLL (Primary Lens Luxation); BCG (Glaucoma/Goniodysgenesis); EOAD (Early Onset Adult Deafness); DM (Degenerative Myelopathy); DH/RS (Dental Hypomineralization/Raine Syndrome); MC (Myotonia Congenita)

## Behavioral Ethogram
- **Locomotion**: Trotting gait; Herding circling/flanking; Crouching/stalking; Pouncing; Zoomies/FRAPs
- **Social**: Leaning against owner; Play solicitation (play bow); Nudging with nose; Submissive rolling; Following/shadowing owner
- **Comfort**: Circling before lying down; Stretching (play bow stretch); Yawning; Self-grooming/licking; Shaking off
- **Stress/Displacement**: Lip licking; Whale eye; Excessive yawning; Panting when not hot; Avoidance/turning away
- **Breed-Specific**: Herding eye/stare; Crouching/stalking posture; Flanking/circling movement; Nipping at heels

## Vocalization Baseline
- **Types**: Bark (alert); Bark (herding/demand); Whine; Growl
- **Frequency Range**: 300-800
- **Tendency**: High
- **Primary Modality**: Balanced Vocal/Body
- **Tail Signals**: Low/tucked = fearful or working concentration; High wag = excited/alert; Slow wag = uncertain/processing; Relaxed neutral = calm

## Emotional Wellbeing
- **Anxiety Proneness**: High
- **Top Triggers**: Separation; Thunderstorms/Noise; Confinement; Strangers; Under-stimulation
- **Separation Anxiety Risk**: High
- **Calming Interventions**: Desensitization training; Puzzle toys/mental stimulation; Consistent daily routines; Regular exercise routine; DAP pheromone diffuser
- **Cognitive Dysfunction Risk**: Moderate

## Behavior Problems (Six-Etiology Classification)
- **Top Problems**: Inappropriate herding/chasing; Noise phobia; Compulsive behaviors; Reactivity to dogs/strangers; Excessive barking
- **Medical Etiology**: Compulsive light/shadow chasing (neurological/seizure disorders); Sudden aggression (pain/arthritis); House soiling (UTI/incontinence)
- **Fear/Anxiety Etiology**: Noise phobia (thunderstorms/fireworks); Stranger-directed reactivity; Separation anxiety
- **Frustration Etiology**: Destructive behavior (under-stimulation); Fence running/pacing; Excessive barking (boredom)

## AI Communication Decoding
- **AI-Trainable Signals**: Intense staring (the eye); Ear position (pinned back vs alert); Tail carriage (tucked vs high); Body posture tension; Pacing frequency
- **Context-Dependent Vocalizations**: High-pitched rapid barking = excitement/herding vs low-pitched single bark = alert/warning; Whining at door = need to go out vs whining with pacing = anxiety
- **Interspecies Communication**: Uses intense eye contact ('the eye') to communicate intent; Highly responsive to subtle human body language and gestures; Uses gaze alternation between object and owner

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Citation: According to allpets.ai data