Border Collie
Overview
The ultimate working brain — astonishingly clever and trainable, but needs hours of exercise and a job to do.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Border Collie is fine with sensible, older children and sociable with other dogs. They tend to be a moderate barker, and as a guide they are better with some experience. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Border Collie typically needs 2 hours or more, plus a job to do of exercise a day (roughly 120–180 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need their brains tired — sniffy walks, short training games and puzzle or scatter feeding go a long way towards a calm, settled dog. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is regular brushing and shedding is high. Brush regularly (a few times a week) to keep the coat healthy and remove loose hair. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Border Collie should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a medium breed will eat a moderate amount compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Exceptionally intelligent and trainable
- +Athletic and excels at agility, herding and dog sports
Things to consider
- –Needs intense daily exercise plus mental work — not suited to flat life or novice owners
- –Can herd/nip children and become destructive if under-stimulated
Is a Border Collie right for you?
On space, a Border Collie is needs plenty of space — they really need plenty of room and a lot of daily activity. For experience level, they are better with some experience. First-time owners can absolutely succeed, but should be ready for consistent training, exercise and (ideally) some support.
Kit that suits a Border Collie
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Border Collies good with children?
Fine with sensible, older children. As a general guide, Border Collies tend to be fine with sensible, older children. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Border Collie need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Border Collie needs 2 hours or more, plus a job to do of exercise a day (120–180 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need mental stimulation — sniffing, training games and puzzle feeders — to stay settled. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Border Collies shed a lot?
High shedding. Coat upkeep is regular brushing — brush regularly to keep the coat in good condition.
Are Border Collies easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Better with some experience. Border Collies are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Border Collies bark a lot?
Moderate barker. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Border Collies good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Border Collies suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A Border Collie really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.