Border Collie: Your Complete Guide
Border collies are medium-sized herding dogs who are well-known for their unrivaled intelligence. In fact, they’re widely considered to be the smartest dogs in the whole world! But border collies aren’t just adorable smarty paws; they’re also loyal, gentle, and eager to please, all qualities that make them exceptional pets for families.
If you’re interested in adopting a border collie, or simply want to learn more about these marvelous pups, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll provide an in-depth overview of the breed’s appearance, personality, trainability, grooming needs, and more below.
Quick Look at the Border Collie
Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 18 to 22 inches tall, weighing 30 to 55 pounds |
| Coat Type | Double coat, rough or smooth texture |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Intelligent, eager to please, loyal, devoted |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
What Is the History of Border Collies?
The border collie hails from the borderlands between Scotland and England, and the breed’s roots can be traced back to hundreds of years ago. They were initially selectively bred to herd livestock, particularly sheep, across vast acres of farmland.
Border collies are still popular working dogs. However, in modern times they have now taken on other roles, including family pets, therapy dogs, service dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Border collies even thrive at dog shows and competitive sports like agility.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the border collie in 1995.
What Do Border Collies Look Like?
The border collie is a medium-sized dog with a muscular yet nimble physique. Their skull and muzzle are equal in length, which gives a well-balanced appearance, and they also have semi-erect ears that often perk up when something piques their interest. Their eyes are oval-shaped and convey an alert, intelligent expression.
The most distinctive coat coloration of the border collie is black with white markings. These white markings typically appear on their head, chest, and legs. However, a border collie’s coat can come in a variety of colors. Some other common colors include blue, blue merle, red, sable, lilac, gold, and brindle.
What Size Is a Border Collie?
The border collie is a medium-sized breed, with most reaching up to 22 inches tall at the withers and weighing between 30 and 55 pounds. Male border collies stand slightly taller than females. Expect a male border collie to reach 19 to 22 inches tall, while a female border collie usually grows 18 to 21 inches tall.
Other factors that can influence a border collie’s adult size include their genetics, energy level, diet, and health. As a rough rule, you can expect your border collie to reach a similar size to their parents, provided they receive appropriate care.
Border collies typically weigh around 9 pounds at 8 weeks and reach their full adult size at 12 to 15 months. To ensure your pup does not experience any growth problems later in life, make sure to feed them a nutrient-rich diet that’s specifically formulated for active pups.
What Is a Border Collie’s Coat Type and Length?
The border collie has a dense, weather-resistant double coat that consists of a top coat and dense, soft undercoat. The top coat can come in two distinct varieties: rough or smooth. The rough coat is long and often slightly wavy in texture, while the smooth coat is short and typically coarser.
No matter the coat type, most border collies have some form of feathering on their chests, tails, legs, and bellies.
What Is a Border Collie’s Temperament?
Specifically bred to be capable of working tirelessly for long periods of time, it’s no surprise that the border collie is a proud workaholic! They feel happiest when given a job to do and are able to stay focused for long periods, no matter how many distractions are lurking about.
The border collie isn’t just famous for their strong work drive though; the breed is also affectionate, eager to please, and even-tempered. These qualities make them a fantastic family companion, as long as you can meet their high exercise needs and give them lots of mental stimulation.
The border collie is incredibly devoted and has a strong attachment to their owner. However, due to this trait they often experience separation anxiety. They may not be the best fit for people who lead busy schedules or can’t keep them company throughout the day.
Are Border Collies Good With Kids?
The border collie is affectionate and generally gets along well with kids of all ages. Their high energy level means they also enjoy boisterous play, and can make excellent playmates for kids who enjoy some roughhousing.
However, the border collie may not be the best fit for households with toddlers. This is because they have a tendency to herd small children and may nip at their heels or knock them over accidentally. While the nips aren’t painful, they can startle small children.
Are Border Collies Good With Other Animals?
The border collie doesn’t have an instinct to capture and kill prey like many other breeds. However, they do have strong herding instincts and are likely to chase small animals like Guinea pigs, cats, birds, and rabbits. Due to this, they’re best suited to households without small pets.
Border collies get along well with other dogs and enjoy interactive play, though they shouldn’t be kept together with small, fragile toy breeds.
Are Border Collies Aggressive?
The border collie is a people-pleaser at heart and is rarely ever aggressive. According to the American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS), the border collie has a temperament pass rate of 83%, which strongly indicates that the breed is even-tempered and well-adjusted.
Border collies do have a habit of nipping at heels, but this isn’t an aggressive behavior; it’s simply them acting out their herding instincts. They know to be gentle and these nips shouldn’t break the skin. Bite inhibition training can help minimize nipping, but it’s impossible to eradicate it entirely since it’s a natural part of who they are.
While border collies aren’t inherently more aggressive than other breeds, this doesn’t mean they can’t exhibit aggression. A lack of socialization, training, or care can cause them to display destructive tendencies. Always make sure to provide your dog with the quality of life they deserve.
If your border collie does start showing signs of aggression, get in contact with a professional trainer or behaviorist for further assistance.
Do Border Collies Bark?
Unfortunately for apartment-dwellers, border collies are vocal pups. They often use their voices to communicate with their owners, particularly when they’re excited, working, or seeking your attention. Border collies also bark when they’re alerting their owners to something unusual.
The border collie’s bark is loud and can definitely be heard from some distance. Due to this, they aren’t the best fit for families seeking a laid back, quiet companion. Breeds that may be a better fit include the basenji, French bulldog, and greyhound. These pups are all known for their low barking tendencies.
Are Border Collies Affectionate?
The border collie may be a workaholic, but that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate a good cuddle with their family. They’re incredibly affectionate and soak up attention whenever they can. They’ll also shower you in licks, tail wags, and gentle nudges.
The border collie is often attached to their owner by their hip, so expect them to follow you wherever you go. They also don’t like being left out of social activities and prefer to be a part of the action.
Are Border Collies Intelligent?
The border collie holds the title of the most intelligent breed in the whole world. They’re ranked at number one in the Intelligence of Dogs book — a reputable ranking of breeds based on intelligence created by Professor Stanley Coren — and are capable of learning more than 1,000 words.
Bred for herding, the border collie is also naturally alert, quick-witted, and intuitive. These qualities make them excellent problem solvers.
Are Border Collies Energetic?
As is the case for most working dogs, the border collie has heaps of energy to spare. They require at least two hours of exercise per day, preferably in the form of vigorous activities that allow them to stretch their legs properly. Try to provide an outlet for their natural herding instincts. However, if this isn’t possible, other great outdoor activities include fetch, agility, and flyball.
On top of their daily exercise, the border collie also needs at least an hour of mentally stimulating, interactive play. They particularly love puzzle games that allow them to put their problem-solving prowess to good use.
Are Border Collies Easy to Train?
Border collies are exceptionally easy to train thanks to their high intelligence, eagerness to please, and strong work drives. They see training (and spending time with their owners) as a reward in itself and don’t need much motivation to stay focused during long training sessions.
Border collies can pick up virtually any task and can begin learning commands as soon as you take them home with you. They housebreak quickly too. Some commands which border collies can master include “play dead,” “roll,” “beg,” and “item retrieval.” They also have a knack for competitive agility, among other dog sports.
Are Border Collies Good Watchdogs?
While border collies don’t have a reputation for guard work, they can make excellent watchdogs. They’re naturally watchful and vigilant, and are likely to alert you to anything unusual by barking.
Are Border Collies Good Service Dogs?
Border collies make excellent service dogs, and they’re actually one of the most commonly used breeds in this line of work. They can master complex tasks, perform them reliably and consistently, and enjoy having their brains put to use. Their strong, muscular builds also mean they can perform more physically-demanding work, like balance assistance.
That said, be mindful that border collies aren’t a good fit for those with mobility issues. They need a lot of exercise to thrive, and they also have more demanding care needs than smaller, laidback breeds.
Border collies excel as emotional support dogs too, thanks to their affectionate side and people-pleasing hearts.
How to Care for a Border Collie?
While easy to train and affectionate, border collies do have fairly high-maintenance care needs. They have high energy levels and require a lot of exercise, attention, and mental stimulation throughout the day. If they aren’t provided suitable outlets for their energy, they’ll often engage in pesky, destructive habits.
On top of managing their energy, the border collie also needs plenty of training, frequent grooming, regular vet checkups, and a protein-rich diet.
Do You Need to Groom a Border Collie?
Border collies have thick double coats that require a fair bit of upkeep to maintain. Their coats should be brushed two to three times a week, with rough-haired border collies typically requiring more frequent brushing.
The border collie’s coat does tend to get matted, particularly if they work regularly on the field. Use a slicker brush to effectively combat tangles and also to remove trapped undercoat hairs.
Take your border collie to a professional groomer once every 4 to 8 weeks for a thorough clean and trim.
On top of maintaining their coats, you should also brush their teeth daily and make ear cleaning a part of their routine. Use a dog-friendly ear cleaner once every few weeks.
Do Border Collies Shed?
Border collies are moderate shedders, and they have periods of heavy shedding when they blow their coats during seasonal changes.
While the shedding isn’t as excessive as the likes of the Akita or golden retriever, you will still notice their fur, so the breed is not a good option for those seeking a mess-free pooch. The border collie’s coat also isn’t considered hypoallergenic.
What Health Problems Do Border Collies Have?
Border collies are healthy pups in general, and regular vet checkups can help you detect any health issues early on before they become a significant problem. However, there are a few complications that border collies are prone to developing, including:
- Collie Eye Anomaly: An inherited disease that causes vision defects in dogs. Symptoms of collie eye anomaly include sunken eyeballs, cloudiness, a hole in the retina, and small eyeballs. There is no cure, but some of the symptoms can be managed with surgical intervention.
- Multi-Drug Resistance: An inherited condition that causes dogs to be more sensitive to certain drugs. Genetic testing is available to determine if your collie has this genetic mutation.
- Epilepsy: A neurological disorder that leads to seizures. Common symptoms of epilepsy include shaking, tremors, convulsions, a dazed look, disorientation, and abnormal behavior changes. Epilepsy can often be managed with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).
- Hip Dysplasia: When the border collie’s hip joint develops abnormally. Symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, exercise intolerance, limping, and difficulty climbing stairs. Treatment options include weight management, physiotherapy, exercise changes, anti-inflammatories, and surgery.
How Long Do Border Collies Live?
The border collie has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. However, this is only an approximate guideline — a range of factors can influence a dog’s life expectancy, including genetics, health conditions, activity level, weight, and diet.
What Should a Border Collie Eat?
Border collies are active dogs who need a lot of protein-rich kibble to sustain themselves. Feed your border collie 1.5 to 2 cups of kibble per day, making sure the formula is high-quality, formulated for medium breeds, and contains a protein content of at least 20%.
Is a Border Collie the Right Dog for Me?
It’s important to be realistic about whether you can meet their care needs before adopting a border collie.
The border collie is compatible with families who:
- Are very active and can exercise a dog for at least two hours every day
- Have an enthusiasm for training, and would be willing to work out a dog’s brain daily with new commands, tricks, and activities
- Are interested in competitive dog sports or herd work
- Want an affectionate, people-pleasing companion
- Have access to a spacious outdoor yard or private space
The border collie isn’t likely the best breed of choice for people who:
- Have toddlers or small pets in the home
- Don’t want a high-maintenance breed,
- Don’t lead active, outdoorsy lifestyles
- Live in apartments
The border collie is an exceptionally smart, energetic dog who makes a perfect pet for people who lead active lifestyles. They’re also great candidates for competitive dog sports and service work, thanks to their eagerness to please and strong work drive.