Border Collie

The Border Collie is a working dog breed that originated in the Scottish borders for herding livestock.

Said to be the most intelligent dog breed with a well-versed personality.

Border Collie Breed overview

The Border Collie is medium-sized with a distinctive outer and undercoat with a wide variety of coat colors.

They are agile, energetic dogs with tremendous stamina which make them excellent task dogs.

They can be shy in the company of strangers unless well-socialized from a young age.

Height:
18-22 inches
Weight:
30-45 lbs
Life expectancy:
12-15 years

What To Expect When Caring For a Border Collie

Exercise

This high-energy breed requires plenty of daily exercises such as long walks and runs to keep them physically and mentally stimulated.

They excel at dog sports and are perfect for activities such as agility, obedience, and flyball.

Health

This breed is generally healthy and can live up to 17 years with sufficient care.

However, they can be prone to eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy.

Grooming

Border Collies require weekly grooming to manage their thick and dense coat, with shedding being heavier during the spring and fall.

Bathing should only be done occasionally to avoid stripping away all the natural oils in the breed's coat.

Training

Border Collies are highly intelligent and eager to please dogs, making them easy to train.

They excel in obedience training and other dog sports.

Nutrition

Feed your Border Collie a well-balanced diet to maintain its health and energy levels.

Monitor their food intake and adjust accordingly depending on their level of daily activity.

Discover the joy of unconditional love and loyal companionship by adopting a dog today!

Open your heart and home to a furry friend eagerly waiting to become your loyal life companion. By choosing to adopt, you are giving a deserving dog a second chance at happiness and supporting the fight against pet overpopulation.

Border Collie Traits & Characteristics

The breed ranges in height from 48 to 56cm with a weight of 14 to 20kg depending on gender.

They have a life expectancy of around 10-17 years and are generally healthy.

The AKC recognized the Border Collie breed in 1995.

Affection

The degree to which a breed shows love and affection towards its human family members.

independent lovey-dovey

Border Collies have a high degree of love and affection towards their human family members. They are very loyal and like to be close to their owners, showing them constant love and attention.

Children

How well a breed interacts with children, including tolerance for play and energy level.

not suitable for kids great with kids

Border Collies are a great fit for families with children. They enjoy playing and can match the energy levels of kids, so they create a great playmate. However they may be prone to herding behavior, which might include nipping or chasing children around.

Dogs

The breed's friendliness and sociability towards other dogs.

not dog friendly very dog friendly

Border Collies have a friendly demeanor towards other dogs, but they may be reserved with unfamiliar dogs. Also, Border Collies have a strong herding instinct that may cause confrontations with other dogs that try to herd as well.

Strangers

The breed's reaction to unfamiliar people, including whether they tend to be wary or friendly.

reserved with strangers friendly with everyone

Border Collies may be reserved with strangers, especially if they haven't been socialized often. They enjoy being close and loyal to their owners more than befriending anyone they meet. Proper socialization and training will increase the chances of them warming up to new people.

Playfulness

The breed's activity level and tendency to engage in play and games.

laid-back very playful

Border Collies are highly active and playful dogs. They are always up for a game and will keep their owners entertained for hours. They're very loyal so they will be always looking for attention from their owners.

Alertness

The breed's level of awareness and vigilance, which can affect their ability to perform certain tasks or jobs

less alert very alert

Border Collies are highly alert and vigilant, able to spot anything that is out of place. They are fantastic watch dogs, and even though they don't bark unnecessarily, they will promptly alert their owners to anything out of the ordinary.

Adaptability

The breed's ability to adjust to new environments and situations, including whether they are adaptable or may become stressed.

less adaptable very adaptable

Border Collies are adaptable dogs but they can easily get stressed if they do not have enough mental and physical stimulation. Owners that plan to travel with them or change living environments should take care to ensure that the dog has the right balance of exercise and a familiar sleeping spot.

Shedding

The amount of hair a breed sheds, which can affect allergies and cleanliness.

no shedding hair everywhere

Border Collies shed heavily and require regular grooming to keep their coats in good condition. Despite this, their shedding can be controlled with the use of high quality diet, brushing and regular bathing.

Grooming

The amount of maintenance required to keep a breed's coat healthy and clean.

low maintenance high maintenance

Border Collies have a thick coat that requires regular brushing, especially during shedding season. They may also require trimming, bathing, and other grooming activities to keep their coat healthy.

Drooling

The amount of saliva a breed produces, which can affect cleanliness and potential drool-related issues.

dry mouthed heavy drooler

Border Collies are typically not heavy droolers, so there are no major cleaning concerns that come with owning them. They have dry mouth tendencies.

Size

The breed's overall size, including their weight and height.

very small very large

Border Collies are considered medium-sized dogs, weighing anywhere from 30-55 lbs and standing 18-22 inches in height. They have a lean build with a thick double-coat that makes them look generally larger than they are.

Energy

The breed's overall activity level, including their need for exercise and play.

couch potato high energy

Border Collies are one of the most energetic dog breeds. They need to be exercised daily to burn off their excess energy. They love playing games such as fetch, running, jumping or solving interactive puzzles.

Exercise

The breed's need for physical activity and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

low exercise needs high exercise needs

Border Collies are one of the most active breeds and require daily exercise to channel their energy constructively. They need long walks, runs or any form of outdoor activity that allows them to burn out excess energy. This release of energy helps Border Collies be more focused during training and day-to-day activities.

Working

The breed's suitability for working and performing certain tasks or jobs.

not suitable for working great for working

Border Collies are a highly skilled breed that are perfectly suited for working dogs. They excel in working environments in fields such as law enforcement drug detection, rescue, herding or frisbee competitions.

Hunting

The breed's natural hunting abilities, including their prey drive, scenting abilities, and tracking skills.

not suitable for hunting great for hunting

Due to their herding nature, it may be difficult for Border Collies to learn or train to hunt. However, given the proper positive reinforcement training, and a lot of space to run and train, many have become successful hunters.

Vigor

The breed's physical stamina and endurance, including their ability to maintain high levels of activity and energy.

low-drive high vigor

Border Collies are known for their high levels of energy and stamina. They are able to maintain high levels of activity and in motion for long periods without losing their momentum. This allows them to be the perfect breed for sports and activities that require lots of running and chasing.

Health

The breed's overall health and potential health issues, including whether they may be prone to certain illnesses or conditions.

less healthy very healthy

Border Collies are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds they are predisposed to certain medical conditions such as Hip Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA). Regular checkups and spreading out exercise times help keep them healthy.

Obesity

The breed's tendency to gain weight and become overweight or obese, including whether they require extra monitoring and exercise.

not prone to obesity highly prone to obesity

Border Collies have no major tendencies to overweight or obesity so they can easily maintain a healthy weight with proper diet and exercise. Owners should not over feed them, and should use an appropriate diet plan and portion sizes to maintain the dog's health..

Cold

The breed's ability to tolerate cold weather conditions, including whether they require extra warmth and protection.

not cold tolerant high cold tolerance

Border collies are naturally weather-resistant thanks to their double-layered coat, which is great to protect them from snowny, wet and cold environments. Owners can help provide extra warmth during wintertime with a warm coat or bedding when necessary. Nonetheless, owners must be aware that their coat can provide insulation and it can be counterproductive to overheat them.

Heat

The breed's ability to tolerate hot weather conditions, including whether they require extra cooling and protection.

not heat tolerant high heat tolerance

Border Collies are known to tolerate heat well, but their heavy double coat makes them more comfortable in colder climates than warm ones. Owners should provide them with enough water during hotter months and never leave them in a warm environment for extended periods.

Apartment

The breed's suitability for new or inexperienced dog owners, including their trainability and temperament.

not suitable for apartments great for apartments

Border Collies are incredibly active dogs, and thus require a large space to run around and let loose. Owners that live in apartments may find the border collie antsy, if they do not provide extra exercise or compensate with outdoor activities.

Wanderlust

The breed's tendency to wander or roam, including whether they may become lost or require a lot of supervision.

less likely to wander very likely to wander

Border Collies have been bred for herding, which means they have a natural tendency to roam and explore their environments. However, if they receive effective stimuli and enough outdoor activities, it's enough to satisfy their exploratory drive. Owners should always supervise them when out walking due to their curiosity or propensity for compulsive behavior.

Sensitivity

The breed's sensitivity to criticism or negative reinforcement, including whether they may become stressed or anxious.

less sensitive very sensitive

Border Collies are relatively sensitive dogs, due to their pack animals mentality. Yelling or critical tone of voice may lead them to become restless or withdrawn. Owners should acknowledge their training progress with a kind tone of voice and positive reinforcement, which will ensure they remain responsive and engaged.

Separation

The breed's tolerance for being left alone, including whether they may become anxious or destructive.

not suitable for alone time great at being alone

Border Collies are very attached to their owners and can become stressed or destructive when left alone for long periods. Owners should gradually increase periods of alone time and countercondition the dog to associate it with pleasant activities upon leaving and arrival.

Barking

The amount of barking a breed tends to do, including whether they may be vocal or prone to excessive barking.

quiet very vocal

Border Collies may bark to get attention or alert owners to things outside. They are not known to be excessive barkers, however, there may be rare cases in which owners may need to do a full review of the dog's lifestyle and environment to manage their barking due to stress or noise phobia.

Mental

The breed's need for mental stimulation and engagement, including whether they are intelligent and require challenging activities.

happy to lounge needs a job or activity

Border Collies are highly intelligent dogs and need mental stimulation to keep them satisfied. They excel at obedience, agility and Herding training. They require structured activities that challenge them to think and learn to keep themselves entertained.

Novice_owners

Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They're also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies.

not suitable for novice owners great for novice owners

Border Collies are bred to be obedient and are easy to train, nonetheless they demand an experienced pack leader who can properly channel their energy levels and train them in such a way that satisfies their capacity for complex training. Owners who have never trained dogs before may find it an overwhelming experience, due to the quick mental and physical capacity of this breed.

Trainability

The ease of training a breed, including whether they are intelligent, obedient, and willing to learn.

difficult to train easy to train

Border Collies are highly intelligent and easy to train dogs. Their eagerness to please their owners makes them perfect for obedience training, advanced tricks and services. Nonetheless they are more suited for owners who have had experience with training other dogs before, given that Collies can learn so quickly and can become stubborn if not challenged enough.

Affection

independent lovey-dovey

The degree to which a breed shows love and affection towards its human family members.

Border Collies have a high degree of love and affection towards their human family members. They are very loyal and like to be close to their owners, showing them constant love and attention.

Children

not suitable for kids great with kids

How well a breed interacts with children, including tolerance for play and energy level.

Border Collies are a great fit for families with children. They enjoy playing and can match the energy levels of kids, so they create a great playmate. However they may be prone to herding behavior, which might include nipping or chasing children around.

Dogs

not dog friendly very dog friendly

The breed's friendliness and sociability towards other dogs.

Border Collies have a friendly demeanor towards other dogs, but they may be reserved with unfamiliar dogs. Also, Border Collies have a strong herding instinct that may cause confrontations with other dogs that try to herd as well.

Strangers

reserved with strangers friendly with everyone

The breed's reaction to unfamiliar people, including whether they tend to be wary or friendly.

Border Collies may be reserved with strangers, especially if they haven't been socialized often. They enjoy being close and loyal to their owners more than befriending anyone they meet. Proper socialization and training will increase the chances of them warming up to new people.

Playfulness

laid-back very playful

The breed's activity level and tendency to engage in play and games.

Border Collies are highly active and playful dogs. They are always up for a game and will keep their owners entertained for hours. They're very loyal so they will be always looking for attention from their owners.

Alertness

less alert very alert

The breed's level of awareness and vigilance, which can affect their ability to perform certain tasks or jobs

Border Collies are highly alert and vigilant, able to spot anything that is out of place. They are fantastic watch dogs, and even though they don't bark unnecessarily, they will promptly alert their owners to anything out of the ordinary.

Adaptability

less adaptable very adaptable

The breed's ability to adjust to new environments and situations, including whether they are adaptable or may become stressed.

Border Collies are adaptable dogs but they can easily get stressed if they do not have enough mental and physical stimulation. Owners that plan to travel with them or change living environments should take care to ensure that the dog has the right balance of exercise and a familiar sleeping spot.

Shedding

no shedding hair everywhere

The amount of hair a breed sheds, which can affect allergies and cleanliness.

Border Collies shed heavily and require regular grooming to keep their coats in good condition. Despite this, their shedding can be controlled with the use of high quality diet, brushing and regular bathing.

Grooming

low maintenance high maintenance

The amount of maintenance required to keep a breed's coat healthy and clean.

Border Collies have a thick coat that requires regular brushing, especially during shedding season. They may also require trimming, bathing, and other grooming activities to keep their coat healthy.

Drooling

dry mouthed heavy drooler

The amount of saliva a breed produces, which can affect cleanliness and potential drool-related issues.

Border Collies are typically not heavy droolers, so there are no major cleaning concerns that come with owning them. They have dry mouth tendencies.

Size

very small very large

The breed's overall size, including their weight and height.

Border Collies are considered medium-sized dogs, weighing anywhere from 30-55 lbs and standing 18-22 inches in height. They have a lean build with a thick double-coat that makes them look generally larger than they are.

Energy

couch potato high energy

The breed's overall activity level, including their need for exercise and play.

Border Collies are one of the most energetic dog breeds. They need to be exercised daily to burn off their excess energy. They love playing games such as fetch, running, jumping or solving interactive puzzles.

Exercise

low exercise needs high exercise needs

The breed's need for physical activity and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Border Collies are one of the most active breeds and require daily exercise to channel their energy constructively. They need long walks, runs or any form of outdoor activity that allows them to burn out excess energy. This release of energy helps Border Collies be more focused during training and day-to-day activities.

Working

not suitable for working great for working

The breed's suitability for working and performing certain tasks or jobs.

Border Collies are a highly skilled breed that are perfectly suited for working dogs. They excel in working environments in fields such as law enforcement drug detection, rescue, herding or frisbee competitions.

Hunting

not suitable for hunting great for hunting

The breed's natural hunting abilities, including their prey drive, scenting abilities, and tracking skills.

Due to their herding nature, it may be difficult for Border Collies to learn or train to hunt. However, given the proper positive reinforcement training, and a lot of space to run and train, many have become successful hunters.

Vigor

low-drive high vigor

The breed's physical stamina and endurance, including their ability to maintain high levels of activity and energy.

Border Collies are known for their high levels of energy and stamina. They are able to maintain high levels of activity and in motion for long periods without losing their momentum. This allows them to be the perfect breed for sports and activities that require lots of running and chasing.

Health

less healthy very healthy

The breed's overall health and potential health issues, including whether they may be prone to certain illnesses or conditions.

Border Collies are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds they are predisposed to certain medical conditions such as Hip Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA). Regular checkups and spreading out exercise times help keep them healthy.

Obesity

not prone to obesity highly prone to obesity

The breed's tendency to gain weight and become overweight or obese, including whether they require extra monitoring and exercise.

Border Collies have no major tendencies to overweight or obesity so they can easily maintain a healthy weight with proper diet and exercise. Owners should not over feed them, and should use an appropriate diet plan and portion sizes to maintain the dog's health..

Cold

not cold tolerant high cold tolerance

The breed's ability to tolerate cold weather conditions, including whether they require extra warmth and protection.

Border collies are naturally weather-resistant thanks to their double-layered coat, which is great to protect them from snowny, wet and cold environments. Owners can help provide extra warmth during wintertime with a warm coat or bedding when necessary. Nonetheless, owners must be aware that their coat can provide insulation and it can be counterproductive to overheat them.

Heat

not heat tolerant high heat tolerance

The breed's ability to tolerate hot weather conditions, including whether they require extra cooling and protection.

Border Collies are known to tolerate heat well, but their heavy double coat makes them more comfortable in colder climates than warm ones. Owners should provide them with enough water during hotter months and never leave them in a warm environment for extended periods.

Apartment

not suitable for apartments great for apartments

The breed's suitability for new or inexperienced dog owners, including their trainability and temperament.

Border Collies are incredibly active dogs, and thus require a large space to run around and let loose. Owners that live in apartments may find the border collie antsy, if they do not provide extra exercise or compensate with outdoor activities.

Wanderlust

less likely to wander very likely to wander

The breed's tendency to wander or roam, including whether they may become lost or require a lot of supervision.

Border Collies have been bred for herding, which means they have a natural tendency to roam and explore their environments. However, if they receive effective stimuli and enough outdoor activities, it's enough to satisfy their exploratory drive. Owners should always supervise them when out walking due to their curiosity or propensity for compulsive behavior.

Sensitivity

less sensitive very sensitive

The breed's sensitivity to criticism or negative reinforcement, including whether they may become stressed or anxious.

Border Collies are relatively sensitive dogs, due to their pack animals mentality. Yelling or critical tone of voice may lead them to become restless or withdrawn. Owners should acknowledge their training progress with a kind tone of voice and positive reinforcement, which will ensure they remain responsive and engaged.

Separation

not suitable for alone time great at being alone

The breed's tolerance for being left alone, including whether they may become anxious or destructive.

Border Collies are very attached to their owners and can become stressed or destructive when left alone for long periods. Owners should gradually increase periods of alone time and countercondition the dog to associate it with pleasant activities upon leaving and arrival.

Barking

quiet very vocal

The amount of barking a breed tends to do, including whether they may be vocal or prone to excessive barking.

Border Collies may bark to get attention or alert owners to things outside. They are not known to be excessive barkers, however, there may be rare cases in which owners may need to do a full review of the dog's lifestyle and environment to manage their barking due to stress or noise phobia.

Mental

happy to lounge needs a job or activity

The breed's need for mental stimulation and engagement, including whether they are intelligent and require challenging activities.

Border Collies are highly intelligent dogs and need mental stimulation to keep them satisfied. They excel at obedience, agility and Herding training. They require structured activities that challenge them to think and learn to keep themselves entertained.

Novice_owners

not suitable for novice owners great for novice owners

Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They're also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies.

Border Collies are bred to be obedient and are easy to train, nonetheless they demand an experienced pack leader who can properly channel their energy levels and train them in such a way that satisfies their capacity for complex training. Owners who have never trained dogs before may find it an overwhelming experience, due to the quick mental and physical capacity of this breed.

Trainability

difficult to train easy to train

The ease of training a breed, including whether they are intelligent, obedient, and willing to learn.

Border Collies are highly intelligent and easy to train dogs. Their eagerness to please their owners makes them perfect for obedience training, advanced tricks and services. Nonetheless they are more suited for owners who have had experience with training other dogs before, given that Collies can learn so quickly and can become stubborn if not challenged enough.

Similar breeds

Filters:

History of the Border Collie

Border Collies were developed for their hard work, determination, and stamina to assist farmers in the hilly Scottish countryside.

During the 19th century, Queen Victoria became captivated by the breed and they were bred for their intelligence and obedience.

This dog's popularity has seen it is a regular competitor in dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions.

Border Collie Puppies

Puppies from this breed require early socialization with both people and other animals.

Start obedience training at an early age to correct any negative habits before it becomes too difficult to manage.