Border Collies are extremely intelligent dogs and must have lots of training and a job to keep them out of trouble. This breed is extremely driven, loyal, and hard-working. Border collies are happiest when they are working or playing, and will only settle down for cuddle time when the workday is done. Therefore, these dogs do best in homes with large, fenced yards, as well as on farms and ranches, rather than apartments. They require training and can not just be put out on the farm and expected to just be happy.
GROUP: Herding
HEIGHT: 18 to 22 inches at the shoulder
WEIGHT: 28 to 50 pounds
COAT: Rough or smooth medium-length double coat with a coarse outer coat and soft undercoat
COAT COLORS and Patterns: Solid color, bicolor, tricolor, merle, or sable, black, blue merle, blue, Slate merle, brindle, gold, lilac, red (chocolate), or red merle. They should be predominatley colored but piebalds with high white are seen. These often have health issues and should be avoided.
LIFE SPAN: 10 to 17 years
TEMPERAMENT: Intelligent, energetic, responsive, keen, athletic, loyal, alert
HYPOALLERGENIC: No
ORIGIN: Scotland
SHEDDING: YES! Twice a year they blow coat and are moderate shedders the rest of the time.
GROOMING: Weekly brushing to distribute oils and bond with your dog along with monthly, or as needed baths. Trimming of the feet is the only alteration of the coat to be done. Shaving a border collie will ruin the coat, make it impossible to regulate body temperature and cause everthing to stick to them.
| Affection Level | High |
| Friendliness | Medium |
| Kid-Friendly | Medium |
| Pet-Friendly | Medium |
| Exercise Needs | High |
| Playfulness | High |
| Energy Level | High |
| Trainability | High |
| Intelligence | High |
| Tendency to Bark | Medium |
| Amount of Shedding | Medium |
This breed is extremely driven, loyal, and hard-working. Border collies are happiest when they are working or playing, and will only settle down for cuddle time when the workday is done. Therefore, these dogs do best in homes with large, fended yards, as well as on farms and ranches, rather than apartments. Teaching a proper “off switch” by going to group training is necessary for a well rounded loving and easy to live with companion.
The Border Collie is generally a very hardy and healthy breed, and a responsible breeder will screen breeding stock for health conditions such as hip dysplasia, progressive renal atrophy, deafness, epilepsy, collie eye anomaly, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, and trapped neutrophil syndrome. A BC’s ears should be checked regularly for signs of infection, and the teeth should be brushed regularly.
Lawrence Baum D.V.M. https://www.dixieanimalclinic.com/
The Border Collie should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
There are two types of coat in the breed. The rough coat is medium-length and feathered, while the smooth coat is shorter and coarser. Both are dense, weather-resistant double coats. Grooming is the same for both: going over the dog with a pin brush once or twice a week, more often if needed, to keep the coat free of mats, tangles, dirt, and debris. During shedding season, daily brushing is required. As with all breeds, the BC’s nails should be trimmed regularly.
