Mix intelligence, a bucket-load of energy, loyalty and good looks… and you’ll get the dapper Border Collie. Dressed to impress, this working dog requires humans who love exercise as much as they do.
Personality and temperament
Border Collies are the epitome of a working dog – they’re agile, smart and loyal, and while they were bred for farm work, their energetic natures can make them fun housemates, too. The catch is, they need enough exercise to keep their friendly, happy and patient demeanour in check. They love playing with kids and being a part of family activities, and they make excellent running buddies. They faithfulness does make them good guard dogs, but they really thrive on action.
Size and appearance
This happy fellow is considered a medium-sized dog, with an athletic, lean body. Males can weight up to 20kg, with females weighing slightly less. Border Collies are built for the speed and agility needed to keep a flock of sheep in flight. Their erect or semi-erect ears, expressive eyes, and constant smile make them easy to love, while their double coat helps them thrive in a range of climates – from snowy mountains to outback farms.
History
The breed originates from the rugged lowlands of Scotland and dates back over three centuries. Their name refers to the fact they were herding on the border of Scotland and England. While Border Collies never wore a kilt (we think), they were essential to herding the sheep for Scottish shepherds – ‘Collie’ is a Scottish term for useful dogs. The early Border Collies were coloured only white and black to help their masters see them at night and still to this day that’s the preference for working Collie dogs. Introduced to New Zealand in the late 1800s and Australia in 1901, Border Collies quickly became popular for herding cattle and sheep. They were officially recognised as an Australian Working Dog breed in 1953.
Health conditions that can affect this breed
Generally a robust breed, Border Collies can be prone to the following health conditions.
- Hip dysplasia (where the hip joints don’t form properly)
- Inherited eye diseases, like Collie eye anomaly and progressive vision loss
- Osteochondritis dissecans (an inflammatory condition commonly affecting the shoulder, elbow, knee or hock joints)
- Epilepsy
- Exercise-induced collapse (rare)
Regular vet check-ups and care can help manage these conditions and keep your Border Collie healthy.
Food and exercise
Being a highly active and athletic breed, Border Collies need protein-rich food that’s high in nutrients and protein to help with sustained energy, lean muscle mass and joint health. Working dogs will need more calories than pet-only dogs, who are prone to weight gain if not exercised enough (sound familiar?).
Border Collies thrive on three things – water, food and exercise! They need at least 1.5–2 hours of actively per day. Yes, every day. Think ball throwing, agility courses, obedience training, long runs or hikes, herding-style games, tug-of-war (with a clear ‘drop’ signal) and structured play with other active dogs. Mental stimulation is super important as well for these doggos, so puzzle feeders, problem solving, scent work (or hide and seek) and even giving them jobs around the house. While they can’t do your laundry, they like carrying small items, putting toys ‘away’, learning names of things and closing doors with their nose or paws.
Grooming and maintenance
This long-coated pooch has a double coat that sheds twice a year in a major way, as well as low-key shedding year round. This soft coat is designed to survive Scottish winters, but also hot summer days – it should only be shaved for medical reasons.
- Bathe: every 4-6 week, or as needed
- Top-coat groom: brush 2-3 times a week
- Deshedding: increase brushing in spring and autumn and consider having a professional groom
How to groom your Border Collie
- Fur: brush twice a week (but daily during shedding) especially in the feathering on their legs, belly and tail.
- Nails: trim every 3-4 weeks
- Ears: clean weekly and monitor for wax or debris
- Eyes: wipe gently if needed, especially after outdoor play
Training and space requirements
Border Collies don’t just ‘like’ training, they live for it. This is a breed that needs structure and boundaries to curb any unwanted behaviour – these canines are smart and will take advantage of any situation. Regular, short training sessions with positive reinforcements may include obedience, agility, flyball, tracking, trick training and herding skills.
As they love activity and stimulation, these happy dogs love homes with room to move – big backyard, a park nearby or access to large open spaces. They can adapt to smaller space living in some situations but only if they get a large amount of high-energy exercise, mental stimulation and committed training on a daily basis.
Best suited for…
If you’re looking for a running buddy, a frisbee-catching partner or a swimming mate, these pooches are for you. Originally working dogs, Border Collies can also make affectionate house mates for active families and households with enough going on to entertain this pooch.
