Border Collie

energetic / affectionate / smart

Herding Group >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

19-22 inches (male)

18-21 inches (female)

Weight

30-55 pounds

Life Expectancy

12-15 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family

Independent Lovey-Dovey
100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

Not Recommended Good With Children
60% 60%

A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
60% 60%

How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

No Shedding Hair Everywhere
60% 60%

How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

Monthly Daily
60% 60%

How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
20% 20%

How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded

Curly

Double

Hairless

Rough

Silky

Smooth

Wavy

Wiry

Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long

Medium

Short

How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
80% 80%

How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
100% 100%

How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
60% 60%

A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
100% 100%

How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

Self-Willed Eager to Please
100% 100%

How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

Couch Potato High Energy
100% 100%

The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

Only To Alert Very Vocal
80% 80%

How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
100% 100%

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

Independent Lovey-Dovey
100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

Not Recommended Good With Children
60% 60%

A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
60% 60%

How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

No Shedding Hair Everywhere
60% 60%

How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

Monthly Daily
60% 60%

How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
20% 20%

How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded

Curly

Double

Hairless

Rough

Silky

Smooth

Wavy

Wiry

Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long

Medium

Short

How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
80% 80%

How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
100% 100%

How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
60% 60%

A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
100% 100%

How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

Self-Willed Eager to Please
100% 100%

How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

Couch Potato High Energy
100% 100%

The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

Only To Alert Very Vocal
80% 80%

How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
100% 100%

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

The Border Collie is an outstanding dog, perhaps a little too amazing for owners without the time, energy, or resources to keep it busy. It is a tremendously intelligent workaholic. When the job is over, these boisterous dogs will wind down for some cuddling time. Borders are medium-sized, athletic herdsmen that stand 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder. The overall appearance is that of a strong but agile worker unimpaired by fads that come and go. There are numerous hues and patterns available for both rough and smooth coats. The almond eyes are the center of an intelligent expression, and the breed identifier for the Border Collie is its intense gaze, sometimes known as its “herding eye.” Borders are among the canine kingdom’s most mobile, well-balanced, and resilient residents. Agility training is the ideal outlet for Borders’ intelligence, athleticism, and trainability. The key to Border happiness is having a job to fulfill, such as agility work, herding activities, or obedience work. Although friendly with friends, they could be wary of strangers.

What To Expect When Caring For a Border Collie

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

A responsible breeder will check breeding stock for diseases including hip dysplasia, progressive renal atrophy, deafness, epilepsy, collie eye anomaly, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, and trapped neutrophil syndrome because Border Collies are often a highly robust and healthy breed. A BC should constantly wash their teeth and examine their ears for any indications of infection.

Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:

Hip Evaluation
Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Grooming

The breed has two different sorts of coats. The smooth coat is shorter and coarser, whereas the rough coat is medium-length and feathered. Both have thick, durable double coatings. To keep the coat free of mats, tangles, dirt, and debris, groom both dogs using a pin brush once or twice a week, or as frequently as necessary. Daily brushing is necessary throughout the shedding season. The BC's nails should be frequently clipped, as with all breeds.

Exercise

This high-drive, athletic breed needs daily exercise beyond just a walk around the block or a quick play in the yard since it is so energetic. When they have a task to complete and room to roam, they thrive. A Border Collie who is unemployed has to engage in strenuous activity each day. It is obvious that this breed is best suited to an active owner rather than someone who prefers to stay inside or frequently travels away from home. BCs frequently compete (and do well) in herding events, as well as in obedience, agility, rally, and tracking contests, as well as in sports like flyball and flying disc.

Training

With the Border Collie, early socialization is particularly important and should involve good exposure to a wide range of people and circumstances from early puppyhood through roughly seven months. Early and ongoing obedience training will keep the BC content and give him the necessary mental stimulation. Border Collies excel at canine sports like herding, obedience, and agility because they are very clever and trainable. They function best with older, well-behaved kids because of their propensity to herd animals and humans. Although they adore their families, they could be a little hesitant among outsiders.

Nutrition

The Border Collie should thrive on premium dog food, whether it is made commercially or at home under the guidance and consent of your veterinarian. Whatever the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior), the diet should be suitable. Watch your dog's calorie intake and weight level because certain dogs are prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.

History

As the Roman Empire rose to power, various emperors devised plans to invade and conquer Britain. However, the preparations were abandoned for a number of reasons, including uprisings in other empire-controlled regions and changed political climates. Emperor Claudius finally realized this long-held desire for conquest in the year 43.

Almost every element of British life was greatly influenced by the Roman occupation of the country. This includes raising dogs. Livestock was the food source that the occupying legions brought with them. Herding dogs will always follow livestock, too. For more than three centuries, the Romans’ huge, heavy-boned herding dogs remained a common sight in Britain.

Fierce Viking raids invaded Britain at various times as the Roman Empire fell apart over a long, sluggish period of time. They also brought their pets with them. These were the ancestors of modern breeds like the Icelandic Sheepdog; they were smaller, speedier spitz-type herders. Old Roman dogs and Viking spitzes were crossed to create compact, nimble herders that were well-suited to working livestock in the rough, mountainous highlands of Scotland and Wales. The Border Collie’s history began in this manner.

Anyone who has witnessed Borders at work—with their sweeping outruns, subtle crouching and creeping, and their explosive bursts of focused energy—would have to agree that they are the best herders in the world. You can bet a Border Collie is the ideal dog that shepherds dream of having.

Borders have dominated competitive sheepdog trials in the British Isles for more than a century, as immortalized in the film “Babe.” Additionally, Border Collies dominate agility competitions at the highest levels, consistently ranking first on rankings of the world’s smartest dog breeds.